Translation
Translation
Having lived between languages and cultures since childhood, I began to carve out my translation career in 2020. Since then, I have worked on a wide range of projects, focusing on two areas:
I work mainly from Japanese into English, but also vice versa. Please see the full list of my work on each page, or scroll on down for a few highlights…
Run with the Wind by Shion Miura (HarperVia, 2024) was my first full-length literary translation: a beloved bestseller by the award-winning author, which has been adapted into a popular anime series and a feature film. It’s a true honor to have worked on such an enduring and exhilarating book, packed with sweat, tears, and college-boy humor — the kind of book that you carry inside you through life, that makes you want to get out and start running, whether you’re a runner or not.
Reviews of Run with the Wind:
“It does read in a beautifully cinematic and dynamic way that lends itself to a visual adaptation, and the translation is truly top-notch. … this book has so much emotion and humor and passion that I would recommend it to even the most skeptic of people.”—A Goodreads reader
“The characters are unique, endearing and relatable in their own ways, and Shion Miura’s writing style is incredibly charming. The novel is a brilliant companion to the anime, delving further into the inner monologue of all of the characters … As someone who has trained for and run multiple full and half marathons, Miura’s understanding and depiction of long distance running is superb.”—An online reader
“These are college boys, and Miura writes them to almost perfection. They’re FUNNY as hell. I found myself laughing out loud so often.”—A Goodreads reader
“A sincere, plainspoken attempt to answer the question: What does it mean to run?”—Kirkus Reviews
“A must read … for those who have ever lost themselves in a true pursuit.”—A Goodreads reader
The Samurai Detectives by Shotaro Ikenami (Penguin, 2025) is a celebrated classic which, like Run with the Wind, has amassed a loyal fan base since the publication of its first volume in 1973. Spanning 20 volumes in total, the series has given rise to multiple TV adaptations over decades. Surreal as it is, I am delighted to be a part of bringing this series into English for the first time.
Reviews of The Samurai Detectives series:
“A lively entry into Japanese historical fiction … Ikenami, a titan of the genre whose prize-winning works sold millions, crafts vivid tales of samurai life that have inspired over a dozen films and TV adaptations. … Japanophiles and those familiar with the region’s literary quirks will savour Ikenami’s immersive and non-linear style.”—Vikram Zutshi, Asian Review of Books
“A masterclass in tension and character … You can practically feel the autumn chill of the riverside dojo and the pitch-black heart of old Edo. It is a vivid, high-octane journey into a vanished world that feels remarkably alive.”—A Goodreads reader
“This book is an absolute treasure for anyone who loves atmosphere. The historical detail is so vivid that you are immediately transported to the Edo period. Even if you’ve never stepped foot in modern-day Japan, the writing allows you to visualize the streets and the era perfectly. It is clearly a high accomplishment for the translator as well—the prose is fluid, natural, and incredibly easy to sink into.”—A Goodread reader.