Donald Keene’s Legacy
Donald Keene’s Legacy is a series of articles about Donald Keene’s achievements, his personality and his involvement in Japanese society through current events and the people associated with him. He was loved by many Japanese people and introduced the charms of Japanese literature and culture to the world. The yellow dog illustration appearing with this series is modeled after a dog that Keene cherished in childhood, and it is also depicted on his grave in Tokyo. The kanji characters for “yellow dog” can be pronounced as “ki-inu” in Japanese, and Keene altered it to "ki-in" as wordplay on his own name. He often used the characters as his signature on letters.
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Donald Keene’s Drinking Buddy and Translator Yukio Kakuchi Pays Tribute to Japanologist’s Lifelong Work
Yukio Kakuchi, a longtime “drinking friend” whom Donald Keene trusted deeply and who translated m...
March 6, 2026
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Joruri Bunraku Narrative Performed in Honor of Donald Keene by Late Scholar’s Adopted Son, Shamisen Player Seiki Keene
Seiki Keene, the adopted son of Japanese literature scholar Donald Keene, performed an old work o...
February 24, 2026
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“The Tale of Genji” Back-Translation Project Led to Touching Encounter with Keene; Poet Sisters Recount Memories of Scholar at Packed Talk Event in Tokyo
A talk event on Arthur Waley's translation of “The Tale of Genji,” featuring poet sisters Marie M...
February 17, 2026
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Exhibition Shows Keene’s Interactions with Showa-Era Writers in Tokyo, Features Newspaper Columns, Related Materials
An exhibition focusing on items that record the friendships between Japanese literature scholar D...
February 6, 2026
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New World of ‘The Tale of Genji’ Born from Back-Translation; Sisters Who Translated Waley’s English Version to Hold Speaking Event in Tokyo
Poets Marie Mariya and Megumi Moriyama, sisters who translated an English version of “The Tale of...
February 4, 2026
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English-language Kabuki, Kyogen Entertain Audiences in Tokyo; Portland State University Professor Emeritus, Graduates Perform
An event featuring English-language kyogen and kabuki was held on Sunday at the Setagaya Literatu...
November 24, 2025
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Tokyo’s Biggest Exhibit on Donald Keene Set to Open Saturday at Setagaya Literary Museum; Many Pieces to Be Displayed for 1st Time
An exhibition introducing the achievements and character of Japanese literature scholar Donald Ke...
November 12, 2025
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Donald Keene’s WWII Experience Underlines Need for Peace, at Library Talk in Tokyo
An open discussion on Donald Keene, who introduced Japanese literature to the world, and on the P...
August 23, 2025
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Tracing Footsteps of Absolute Pacifists in Hawaii: Adopted Son Seiki Scatters Donald Keene’s Ashes at Sea
“This is the sea of Hawaii that Dad loved so much. Please rest in peace.” Seiki Keene, 75, the ad...
August 11, 2025
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Learning about Keene’s Wish for Peace from His Time in Hawaii; ‘No Such Thing As a Meaningful War’
Renowned scholar of Japanese literature Donald Keene had deep ties to Hawaii. His adopted son, Se...
August 11, 2025
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Students Intensively Studied Japanese Language to be Naval Language Officer in Pacific War; Second-Generation Japanese Americans Recruited by U.S. Army
During World War II, the U.S. Navy needed to quickly train officers to read, write and speak Japa...
August 11, 2025
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Donald Keene Exhibition Kicks off in Japanese-Style Cultural Facility in Soka, Saitama Pref.; Set of Matcha Tea, Sweet Inspired by His Beloved Dog Available
An exhibition tracing the footsteps of Japanese literature scholar Donald Keene in Soka, Saitama ...
June 24, 2025
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Photo Exhibit Highlights Donald Keene’s Ties to Kyu-Furukawa Gardens, with Bonus Section Tracing His Life in Pictures
A photo exhibit about Donald Keene and the Kyu-Furukawa Gardens in Kita Ward, Tokyo, has opened a...
March 26, 2025
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Donald Keene’s Son Puts Basho to Music at Performance in Tokyo; Marking Date His Father Became a Japanese Citizen
A shamisen performance by Seiki Keene, the adopted son of Japanologist Donald Keene, was held in ...
March 10, 2025
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Keene’s Love for Karuizawa Spanned Over Half Century; Quiet Place to Work, Interact with Great Authors
Japan scholar Donald Keene’s devotion to the famous summer resort of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture...
February 24, 2025
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