Slow Down Sunday 7: An Encounter in Aokigahara by David Holloway
Apr 17, 2023 ·
21m 6s
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Description
From the Kaidankai archives: One man is obsessed by death and suicide, so it is not surprising that he would seek out Aokigahara, Japan's famous suicide forest. When he encounters...
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From the Kaidankai archives:
One man is obsessed by death and suicide, so it is not surprising that he would seek out Aokigahara, Japan's famous suicide forest. When he encounters an old woman in the forest, will he change his mind?
First published in Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch by Stone Bridge Press.
David Sands Holloway was a scholar of contemporary Japanese literature, culture, and gender studies whose meteoric career rise was cut short by his sudden death, June 25, 2021. A tenure-track assistant professor of Japanese in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Rochester, David’s academic interests included the precarity of the “lost decade;” youth cultures and subcultures; the intersection of Japanese literature with gender, media, and fantasy; millennial issues; tattoos, body alterations, and self-presentation; and manifestations of Japan’s AIDS crisis in 1980s and 1990s popular culture and media. Creative writer, photographer, and an ardent basketball player until his knees gave out, David’s regard for life was always inflected with compassion and a sly humor, the latter of which is apparent in “An Encounter in Aokigahara.”
If you have feelings of suicide, please seek help at
https://telljp.com (Japan)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ (English and Spanish)
Click here to learn about the 2023 Kaidankai contest for writers.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
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Please donate any amount to the Kaidankai:
Donate $25 US and a podcast episode will be dedicated to you.
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Ko-Fi. https://ko-fi.com/kaidankaighoststories
PayPal: https://paypal.me/whiteensokaidankai?country.x=JP&locale.x=en_US
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One man is obsessed by death and suicide, so it is not surprising that he would seek out Aokigahara, Japan's famous suicide forest. When he encounters an old woman in the forest, will he change his mind?
First published in Yamamba: In Search of the Japanese Mountain Witch by Stone Bridge Press.
David Sands Holloway was a scholar of contemporary Japanese literature, culture, and gender studies whose meteoric career rise was cut short by his sudden death, June 25, 2021. A tenure-track assistant professor of Japanese in the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures at the University of Rochester, David’s academic interests included the precarity of the “lost decade;” youth cultures and subcultures; the intersection of Japanese literature with gender, media, and fantasy; millennial issues; tattoos, body alterations, and self-presentation; and manifestations of Japan’s AIDS crisis in 1980s and 1990s popular culture and media. Creative writer, photographer, and an ardent basketball player until his knees gave out, David’s regard for life was always inflected with compassion and a sly humor, the latter of which is apparent in “An Encounter in Aokigahara.”
If you have feelings of suicide, please seek help at
https://telljp.com (Japan)
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/ (English and Spanish)
Click here to learn about the 2023 Kaidankai contest for writers.
Website: kaidankaistories.com
Follow us on:
Mastodon
YouTube
Please donate any amount to the Kaidankai:
Donate $25 US and a podcast episode will be dedicated to you.
Donate $50US and get a t-shirt with the Kaidankai logo
Ko-Fi. https://ko-fi.com/kaidankaighoststories
PayPal: https://paypal.me/whiteensokaidankai?country.x=JP&locale.x=en_US
Comments
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Sandra Holloway
8 months ago
Me too! :)
Linda Gould
8 months ago
Well, there's a story! Coincidences can be so random or so targeted. I can't believe you had to wait two years to get his property. It seems like that would prolong your grief. I hope you are enjoying your new access. And it seems you have David's permission to enter his digital world. I'm so happy that you reached out.
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Sandra Holloway
8 months ago
My deepest pleasure, Linda, and thank you again. There are so many "coincidences," if we can call them, that have occurred since David's passing. Another example is finding your website, which came to me from seemingly nowhere. I had no idea an audible version of the story existed. Another time, I was deeply lamenting about having waited over two years to obtain his personal property from the police department and then about being unable to access his iPhone. I needed that protected six-digit code! So, while holding his phone in one hand and wiping tears with the other, I received spiritual guidance. "Mom, think back to when you bought me my iPhone. . years ago." If you can believe it, I guessed at the digits and found that he and I had been using the SAME passcode all this time. My heart jumped with bitter-sweet joy and relief to now be able to access his digital world. Who knew? :)
Linda Gould
8 months ago
Oh, Sandra. Thank you so, so much for commenting here. It brings a sad twinge of pleasure (does that make sense) that the podcast could celebrate David in a way. If it brought you joy to come across it, to hear one of his stories interpreted in audio format, then it brings joy to me, too. David's story was beautiful, even though it was about a sad subject. I looked at the links you provided. You must be so proud to see so many tributes to your son. The fact that you have his writing, which so often reveals our inner turmoil, pleasure, hopes, dreams, and nightmares is a special gift. I'm sure that every time you read one of his stories, you hear his voice and find something new about his thinking. I will read more of his stories at the link you provided. Perhaps there will be another that I can read. Thank you for reachign out, and please know that my heart is with you as you continue to grieve.
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Sandra Holloway
8 months ago
Hello! I ran across your website today and want to thank you so much for reading the story An Encounter In Aokigahara by David Holloway. My name is Sandra Holloway, and David was, is, and always will be my beloved son. It means the world to me to be able to share an audio version of the story (along with your beautiful voice) with others. If you'd like to know more about David, you can find him at www.forevermissed.com (David Holloway), and you can also find many more of his unique stories at www.perpendicularfiction.com. Again, thank you so much!
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