The first piece, “Chidorigafuchi”, is described as an extension of the poet’s home and place of work: “our private demesne”. Similarly, we are gifted a view of both the familiar and not-so-familiar through Ambassador Madden’s own collection. The poem “Matsue” makes reference to Lafcadio Hearn, the Japanese writer of Irish and Greek descent known in Japan as Koizumi Yakumo, and how he, “… began to give us glimpses of unfamiliar Japan”. And it is the images of the places the private traveller-not the career diplomat-paints that provide us the most direct glimpse into the country and its diverse backdrops. It is the personal reflections that resonate most. They are simultaneously superficial and profound.
They are the musings on our return to the city following a weekend away the memories of the people and the scenery that stay with us for years the experiences that we leave behind yet stay with us and continue to shape our view of the world. Sentiments within the poems are akin to visiting a place for the first time sometimes deep, sometimes shallow, occasionally funny. But I’ve never felt as inspired to try by anywhere else. In typically self-effacing form, he goes on to say: I’ve studied the language and history and wondered at Japan’s unique culture, and its extraordinary natural beauty … I’ve visited all 47 prefectures … I thought I’d try to write some poems about my favourite places. H er Majesty’s Ambassador Paul Madden’s enigmatically titled collection of 38 poems-each painting a picture (and each accompanied by an exquisite image) of a city, town, village or locality-provides us with a glimpse into the personal musings of the indefatigable diplomat during his-mostly-off-duty experiences.