#kōda aya

[anne-bsd-bibliophile]

Mirror: The Fiction and Essays of Kōda Aya translated by Ann Sherif

The papers in those days always had some amazing news in them - from the attempted military coup of February the year before to the start of fighting in China just three months later. A ferocious gale had come sweeping through, causing small whirlwinds some days and, at other times, a tremendous commotion that stirred up everything, even the dust in the forgotten corners of the world. I was just a speck of dust in one of the narrowest, most remote niches. - Kōda Aya, "The Medal"

A kimono worn by a woman immature in her emotions can be a powerful thing. Or, to put it another way, clothes have the strength to control one's psyche. To me, the striped outfit was a uniform; it gave me a sense of direction and a feeling of pride in my work. The apron shielded me from all arrows; it acted as a cast to brace me against all blows. It was a metal fire door behind which I could hide the anguish of my heart. - Kōda Aya, "The Medal"

What other child would fail to rise to the occasion when her father was being so honored? He was my only father, and I his only child. Is this any way to behave? I had lost my way at the bottom of a deep abyss. I cast my eyes upward, toward my father, only to see him dimly shrouded by mist. - Kōda Aya, "The Medal"

I know nothing about the breadth of my father's learning, nor do I pretend to understand the scope of his art. I could not tell you what came to him as a matter of luck, what he accomplished through his own talents, nor about his stature among men. Though I may be vastly ignorant, I do have enough sense not to entertain the foolish notion that he is some kind of lion of literature, a king among writers. He was just my father. From my own biased viewpoint, I would say that Father possessed some lionlike qualities, but there were those of a lion who would finish you off or give you the push-off-the-cliff test. - Kōda Aya, "The Medal"

Father was an unusual man. He would point out the beauty of blossoms or clouds in the sky with the very whip he had cracked a moment before. With the same knife he had just used to rive your innards, he would slice up a wedge of some delicacy for you. No one else I knew could perform such feats. There was something solid about him. I felt all at once like a contrite sinner and a puppy dog who is eager to please. I wanted to cut all ties with him, but at the same time I needed him to recognize me as worthy of his love. - Kōda Aya, "The Medal"

Higuchi Ichiyo's nephew Higuchi Etsu once said about [me and my father]: "The parent dons a medal, and the child an apron." I made a show of laughing at his comment, but only because I wanted to hide my weakness. In fact, that apron chafed against my hands and my heart with its unyielding roughness. - Kōda Aya, "The Medal"

One often hears about the magical powers of mirrors. Certainly the mirror's ability to reflect creates this feeling of mystery. The objects around the viewer look so different in the mirror - what was one may multiply into two or even three. Objects that had appeared to be piled up come apart. Something might look real in the mirror, but then when you try to touch it, you can't. It seems to be there but it makes no sound. Is it real or just an illusion? Sometimes you can see through things in a mirror. Some things seem actually to be alive inside the mirror, but once the reflection stops moving, the illusion of life is gone. The mirror's power resides in this ability to confound. - Kōda Aya, "A Friend for Life"

My life was not going smoothly. I could not handle the problems that confronted me and became unbelievably nervous and stubborn. At times, any little thing would set me off in a rage; often I would get upset and break down in tears. I had so many things on my mind. In those days I consoled myself by leaning up against my mirror. To think how proud I had felt of it on my wedding day. Now all I could do was crouch up against it and sigh. In that house it was the only place where I felt calm. The mirror served more as a support for my emotions than as a glass in which I could see my reflection. The sunny location I had chosen for it had been part of my effort to avoid sadness and gloom in my life, but ironically it ended up lodging a darkened, tired soul. I did, in any case, feel most peaceful when I sat by my mirror. - Kōda Aya, "A Friend for Life"

The first time I wiped the glass, I was shocked to discover how dirty a mirror can become. One usually does not notice the dust; a mirror will reflect even when covered with a heavy layer of grime. And once you get used to this, you may end up looking at yourself and trying to make yourself presentable with powder and lipstick, unaware that you are seeing yourself through a haze. But who bothers to dust mirrors? If even smoothly polished glass attracts dust how much more would accumulate on a troubled heart? - Kōda Aya, "A Friend for Life"

Kōda Aya has also been added to the BSD-Bibliophile Online Library!

You can find more information about Kōda Aya-sensei on the following pages:

List of Books in English Quotes and Facts Collection Fun Facts

[bsd-bibliophile]

My life was not going smoothly. I could not handle the problems that confronted me and became unbelievably nervous and stubborn. At times, any little thing would set me off in a rage; often I would get upset and break down in tears. I had so many things on my mind. In those days I consoled myself by leaning up against my mirror. To think how proud I had felt of it on my wedding day. Now all I could do was crouch up against it and sigh. In that house it was the only place where I felt calm. The mirror served more as a support for my emotions than as a glass in which I could see my reflection. The sunny location I had chosen for it had been part of my effort to avoid sadness and gloom in my life, but ironically it ended up lodging a darkened, tired soul. I did, in any case, feel most peaceful when I sat by my mirror.

Kōda Aya, "A Friend for Life" from Mirror: The Fiction and Essays of Kōda Aya

[mumbledbeginnings]

although tbh if it’s the first one then everything else is still screwed lol. also the second and third could potentially be the same thing if aya gets an ability and that’s what it is

[acemarkey]

why do kunikidas children love doing things that will get them killed

[strikerjoshy]

BRUH...

[z-the-outback-cryptid]

Finally managed to watch episode 5.

Bones may have done an underwhelming job of adapting the “go, you fool” scene with Akutagawa, but at least the Fukuchi moments haven’t disappointed!

Aya hiding from Fukuchi in the airport—even knowing the outcome—was so tense!

Can’t wait for the moments with “Bra-Chan” (my beloved).

[amythedemisimp]

Miscellaneous characters

Adam Frankenstein (#adam frankenstein)

Architect (#bsd architect)

Dan Brown (#dan brown)

Herbert George Wells (#herbert george wells)

Jules Verne (#jules verne)

Katsura Shōsaku (#katsura shōsaku)

Kōda Aya (#kōda aya)

Kyōgoku Natsuhiko (#kyōgoku natsuhiko)

Murakami Tokio (#murakami tokio)

Natsume Sōseki (#natsume sōseki)

Sasaki Nobuko (#sasaki nobuko)

Shibusawa Tatsuhiko (#shibusawa tatsuhiko)

Taguchi Rokuzō (#taguchi rokuzō)

Yokomizo Seishi (#yokomizo seishi)

[sskk-manifesto]

Me every time a minor inconvenience occurs

[the-chikyuu-times]

[kyouka-supremacy]

The fact that chapter 93 (second picture) came out July 2021 sure helps put in perspective how long “today” has been

[shinsoukover]

NOT FUNNY, CRIED

[chuuyaszn]

what lol

[ratsupremacyisreal]

❥ · ﾟ₊

▸𝙱𝚂𝙳 𝚂𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝟻, 𝙴𝚙.𝟼

✧·····················*﹡❋ ❋ ❋﹡*·····················✧

[monkey-d-ezekiel]

BSD Table of Contents, Vol. 1-24

My third and final collection post! I think with this, I've put in one place all the official art that Harukawa Sango has done for BSD. It's pretty convenient! The Table of Contents in all the volumes seem to convey a certain subtle theme, and it's displayed a lot more minimally than the Volume covers or color spreads. My favorite is the Vol. 19 ToC, simply because I love Ranpo.

Here's all the ToC from all the volumes!

Vol. 1:

Vol. 2:

Vol. 3:

Vol. 4:

Vol. 5:

Vol. 6:

Vol. 7:

Vol. 8:

Vol. 9:

Vol. 10:

Vol. 11:

Vol. 12:

Vol. 13:

Vol. 14:

Vol. 15:

Vol. 16:

Vol. 17:

Vol. 18:

Vol. 19:

Vol. 20:

Vol. 21:

Vol. 22:

Vol. 23:

Vol. 24:

[getmoxied]

Writing a bsd fic where aya koda is the mc, i might give her an ability, but if someone could give me a link or something to some of her works translated In English that would be awesome. I'm aware that theres only ever been one but,, its worth a shot, and i still haven't found the book that WAS translated so who knows. A basic summary on the characters or topic would be greatly appreciated aswell. Also wondering if characters in bsd have the disabilities some of the authors might have had, according to the wiki aya koda(real) had rheumatism and im wondering if that would be good to include in ayas character. (bsd) and if so how would i write that. Sorry im rambling but if anyone can find her works thatd be awesome. Also im doing full on character analyzes on bram and aya

[fluffyyymocha]

EXCUSE ME?? NO. WHAT.