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I lived to write, and wrote to live.

I was always influenced by language.

I lived in England to learn English. When I went to England for the first time, it was like being on the Moon. I had no friends, I couldn't speak the language. I was very isolated.

I grew up in New York in an English-speaking environment.

My life was very Japanese.

Yes, living voices in a living language, so it seemed to us.

I traveled a full two years with 'Language of Flowers.'

I lived in a country where I couldn't live where I wanted to live. I lived in a country where I couldn't go where I wanted to eat. I lived in a country where I couldn't get a job, except for those put aside for people of my colour or caste.

I have not lived so abundantly, full of family, full of continuity and history.