Translator Peter MacMillan on His Love of Literature and Living with Cats

Peter MacMillan is best known for his award-winning translation of the Hyakunin Isshu (One Hundred Poets, One Poem Each), which also won praise from eminent scholar Donald Keene. MacMillan continues to share the allure of Japanese culture and classical literature with audiences around the world. 

Part one of this series shared how MacMillan developed an English version of the card game karuta as an engaging way to introduce classic Japanese poetry to a global audience.

• Part 1 - Peter MacMillan: The Award-Winning Translator Bringing 'Manyoshu' to the World

This second installment explores MacMillan's childhood and his mother's influence on his love of literature. It also introduces his four pet cats, who live with him in a traditional house near Mount Ogura in Kyoto — close to where the author of the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu is believed to have had a mountain villa. MacMillan says living with cats has deepened his appreciation for life.

Second in a Three-Part Series

A Creative Upbringing

MacMillan was born and raised in rural County Kildare in eastern Ireland, a region known for its lush green landscapes and thoroughbred racehorses. 

Novelist Ryotaro Shiba wrote in his essay collection Kaido wo Yuku (on the highways): "Ireland may lack natural resources, but it's full of fairies." 

The country is steeped in Celtic mythology and has produced some of the world's greatest poets and writers, including William Butler Yeats and George Bernard Shaw.

Peter MacMillan grew up in a creative household. His father was an art dealer, while his mother contributed to newspaper columns and wrote children's books. However, she was unable to fully realize her potential as a writer, partly due to his father's opposition.

The fourth of eight siblings, Peter had dreamed of becoming an actor as a child. His love of literature, though, was fostered by his mother, who frequently read to him. They would often enjoy discussing books together.

MacMillan shares, "My love of literature comes from my mother. I owe my career to her, and I see my work as a way of honoring her."

Sharing Japanese Culture through Acting

Another of MacMillan's passions is appearing on television. In a way, it brought him closer to his childhood dream of becoming an actor. He currently hosts Magical Japanese on NHK World Japan, an international program that introduces Japanese language and culture in English. Each episode focuses on a specific theme, such as castles or sumo, allowing MacMillan to showcase his engaging personality while sharing insights into Japan.

In the episode about castles, for example, MacMillan visits Himeji Castle dressed as a samurai, sword in hand. He explains terms like tenshukaku (天守閣, main keep) and the idiomatic expression ikkoku ichijo no aruji (一国一城の主, captain of one's own ship).

Through this, viewers gain a deeper understanding of both the Japanese language and the cultural meanings behind these phrases. His lively presentation makes Japanese culture both accessible and enjoyable for viewers worldwide.

A Life with Cats

At his home in Kyoto, MacMillan lives with four black cats. A fifth, a sick stray he found while filming at Himeji Castle, is staying with them temporarily. He named her "Hime-chan" after the castle where they met.

"She's very friendly, so I suspect she was abandoned," MacMillan says. "We've treated her illness, and she's doing much better now."

However, since she doesn't get along well with his other cats, he plans to find her a new home once she's fully recovered.

Interestingly, MacMillan wasn't particularly fond of cats at first. But since welcoming them into his home, his life has changed significantly.

"I've learned a lot from my cats. For one thing, I've become more mindful of my diet. Do you know what a flexitarian is?" he asks. "I try to avoid meat and fish when I can, and I buy free-range eggs instead of caged ones. I also choose products with a low carbon footprint. It's about doing what I can."

MacMillan believes that living with his cats has increased his appreciation for life: "It might not be noticeable if you only have one cat, but when you have four or five, you start to see how different each one is. They have their own unique personalities and souls. I want to live in a way that honors and respects all life, but I'm still on that journey."

About Peter J MacMillan

MacMillan is an award-winning translator, scholar, poet, and artist. Born and raised in Ireland, he graduated first in his class from University College Dublin of the National University of Ireland, where he earned an MA in philosophy. He later received a PhD in English literature in the United States. 

MacMillan has served as a visiting researcher at Columbia University and other prestigious institutions. Currently, he is a part-time lecturer at the University of Tokyo and a visiting professor at Sagami Women's University. 

His English translation of the Hyakunin Isshu has won translation awards in both Japan and the US. In addition to writing newspaper columns, he regularly appears on NHK World-Japan and KBS Kyoto Radio. 

MacMillan has also penned several books, including Eigo de Ajiwau Manyoshu (enjoying the Manyoshu in English) and Matsuo Basho wo Tabisuru (traveling the world of Matsuo Basho).

Continues in Part 3: Peter MacMillan on the Unique Worldview of 'Manyoshu' and Translating 4,500 Waka Poems 

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• A Case for Translating the 'Manyoshu', Japan's Oldest Poetry Collection
• 'TAMASHIZUME': A Musical Exploration of Hyakunin Isshu and Its Secrets
• Author Ryoko Sekiguchi: Creating a New Vocabulary for Intercultural Communication
• Plum Blossoms: Children Revive a Poet's Millennium-Old Love

(Read the series in Japanese.)

Author: Naoko Yamagami, The Sankei Shimbun