Dear EDIS Comrades:
This conference has exceeded my/our very high expectations. How I wish that those of you who are not here, could be here. Connectivity has been a bit of a problem (both because of schedule--you can't attend sessions and dinners and post comments--and because I have to be connected via a LAN line rather than through wireless), so you've not heard from me as much as I had imagined. However, I will be posting more over the next few days, and when I return to Maryland August 14 will post more extensive comments than I can manage to mount at this time.
Since we've arrived in Kyoto, we've been treated to a traditional Japanese dinner by the Emily Dickinson Society of Japan at a temple (Thursday., August 2); enjoyed a sumptuous feast at the conference banquet (Friday, August 3), which was followed by a lecture on the way of tea by a distinguished Japanese scholar; been treated to two days of remarkable presentations by Japanese and scholars from ten different countries; and now look forward to another morning of presentations.
Some conferees headed off this afternoon for an excursion that included a traditional tea ceremony (thanks SO much Hiroko Uno for arranging this!), while others charted various tours on their own around this beautiful city. My partner and I did the latter, joining Mary Loeffelholz in tours of three temples, two shrines, and ended up in a marvelous hole-in-the-wall restaurant that served delicious food delightfully. We speak almost no Japanese and they spoke little English, but we managed to communicate through pointing, gesturing, and drawing (the most fun in that regard was Mary's drawing of an octopus), and we ate one of the best meals we've ever had in our lives, managed to say "Thank you" in Japanese (alas, I'll have to add this later--my partner just went upstairs with the Fodor's and I can't remember; honestly, I'm afraid I'll misspell even the transliteration). They appreciated our effort and we deeply appreciated their wonderful meal preparation. Delectable, it was also beautifully arranged.
But the most important food we've had the good fortune to consume here has been the intellectual and poetic exchange between and among the scholars gathered for this days-long reflection on the writings of Emily Dickinson. Scholars known and unknown have offered keen insights--Chris Benfey launched this conference with several provocative observations, and the plenaries by Katsuhiko Inada and Toshikazu Niikura (consult the conference schedule) were feasts for the mind and heart.
As I wrote earlier, those of your who are longing for pics from Japan should go to Roxie's World. When more pictures come in from delegates at the conference, I'll post them here, but until then, please enjoy my partner's letters home.
Dwelling in possibility,
Martha Nell Smith
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