I received the Japan Foundation Special Prize thirty years ago, in 1993. I was deeply grateful for it. I received support from the Japan Foundation several times after that, and there is no adequate way in which I can express my gratitude.

I am a translator, and, as I said at the award ceremony in 1993, translators inevitably become bridges between two countries, and, willing or not, take on the mission of deepening cultural exchange between those countries. I am now quite old, but ever since I was young my favorite job was to introduce peculiar features and charm of Japanese literature and culture to the people of Russia. I say it was a “job,” but “calling” might be more accurate. When it comes to introducing Japanese culture, the things I can really do are to translate works of Japanese literature and to teach Japanese language and Japanese literature. Thanks to the support of the Japan Foundation, I have been able to do both of these, and so I am very happy indeed. I believe that becoming aware of the Japanese perception of the world and way of approaching things through works of literature is extremely important for deepening the mutual understanding between our countries.

To put it simply, it is no exaggeration to say that my activities have always been directly related to international exchange. In our days when the exchange of information has accelerated, I am sure that the significance of international exchange tends to increase. Certainly, the most appropriate path for the different countries is to open their hearts to one another, appreciate their differences and really learn from one another, rather than fixating on their own customs and their own knowledges. Therefore, I think that the activities of the Japan Foundation are vital.

It was thanks to the Japan Foundation that I was able to go to Japan. When I was translating The Tale of Genji, it was yet the time of the Soviet Union. People like me, who were not connected to an official position, were considered to be idle, and were not permitted to travel to another country. But by the time I had completed my translation, perestroika had begun, and I was able to spend a year in Japan as a Japan Foundation Fellow. It was a truly unforgettable year. I was able to experience Japanese culture, not from the outside but from the inside, and gained invaluable experiences. And that wasn’t all-the publication of a large part of my translations has also been thanks to the assistance of the Japan Foundation. Generally speaking, I would say that the publication of Russian translations of Japanese literature released from the 1990s to today was accomplished through provision from the Japan Foundation. From this perspective, the Japan Foundation’s activities in introducing Japanese culture to the Russian people cannot be praised highly enough.

In Russia, there are many people who are interested in Japanese literature and culture. For a long time, I have held Japanese-language classes and seminars on Japanese literature at the Japan Foundation with the Foundation’s support. My students have different majors and occupations, but are all interested in Japanese culture. Even in these frightening, difficult times, they organized online seminars on Japanese literature, and I also participate in these.

Tatiana Lvovna Sokolova-Delusina

(Original text in Japanese)

Awards and Special Prizes: Recipients List 1973 - 1995