diting anthologies is nothing new for Orson Scott Card, but in this latest collection, he and Keith Ferrell have chosen a somewhat unusual topic for consideration. This anthology showcases five novellas and short stories about Japanese futures, written by Westerners who focus on Japan's cultural heritage.
The stories reflect a wide range of themes and styles, starting with "Black Mist" by Richard A. Lupoff. In Lupoff's story, a Japanese research station on Phobos reports the disappearance of exoarcheologist Fumiko Inada. While trying to determine whether the apparent murder is related to Inada's work with an ancient face-like structure on the Martian moon, investigator Hajimi Ino must use cultural clues to solve the mystery.
Back on Earth, Pat Cadigan's "Tea from an Empty Cup" combines cyberpunk and dreams of an ancient Japanese homeland to create a virtual journey whose completion may result in the revival of Old Japan. On a completely different level, Paul Levinson's take on the aftermath of Japan's nuclear holocaust gives "A Medal for Harry" a knockout-punch ending and shows just what a savvy politician can do with a good spin doctor and the right statistics.
A much darker mood is found in "Niagara Falling." Janeen Webb and Jack Dann share a bizarre vision of the traditional honeymoon destination that has been irreparably altered by future events. Patric Helmaan pens the final selection, "Thirteen Views of Higher Edo." When the artwork of a protein engineer from the asteroid colony of Higher Edo becomes wildly popular on Earth, the reclusive, self-made artist must struggle with personal demons during an obligatory visit back to ground-bound Japan.
Japan served Western style
Taken as a whole, these stories provide excellent insights into the impact of culture on perception, imagination and the course of history. It is refreshing to read U.S.-published science fiction that observes the future from a perspective other than that of white Anglo-Americans. It's not that an American perspective is bad, it's just that it's nice to have a change of pace every once in a while.
For example, in "Black Mist," Lupoff not only explores space, but the possibility of having a kuramako--the godfather of a criminal gang--as head of a space research station. "Tea from an Empty Teacup" examines the appeal of ancient Japan, which is so strong that it runs through cybernetic dreams. " A Medal for Harry" postulates that the bomb dropped on Hiroshima may have, in retrospect, been a blessing instead of a curse. While manipulation and control are inevitable in the patriarchal society envisioned by "Niagara Falling," and coping with societal standards can be a struggle in "Thirteen Views of Edo."
In his introduction, Keith Ferrell gives a brief but informative overview of 20th century science fiction influenced by Japan or containing Japanese themes. The inclusion of only five authors in this collection may seem limited at first glance, but each story is rather lengthy. As Ferrell points out, when Godzilla is all that comes to mind while pondering Japanese-flavored science fiction, it's high time to read this anthology.
