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Jiraiya is one of the new breed artists in Japan. He has attracted a large fan base primarily, I would guess, because his characters are “the average homo” living his life in the work-a-day world. The labours are down-to-earth: policeman, fisherman, farmer, father-son relationship. The plot, conflicts, problems, crises are those faced by many homo men making-do in a non-homo society. No fantasy flights or extreme BDSM situations intrude in the stories.
The stories here have individual titles and stand as individual tales. They are all part of Jiraiya’s book of his collected stories, A Room in Which Five Guys Live. The book title takes its name from the lead story in the book of the same name. All the stories are presented here in English translation.
A Room... is in its 3rd and “revised” printing, an indication of its popularity. It’s available at http://www.rainbow-shoppers.com Treat yourself!
The translator is a dear and dedicated friend, Richard Richmond. Richard disappeared from the online world almost four years ago just as he was beginning the English translation of Kumagoro’s volume 2 of Otoko Dosukoi. He was burdened with some serious health problems and I believe he passed away. We are still saddened by losing touch with him.
Richard was French, could read Japanese, and was conversant in English. His translations are sometimes a bit off the English idiom, but always readable and understandable. Enjoy his work and whisper a grateful “thank you” for his spontaneous dedication and effort.
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