Another interesting book

I don't have this one but I ordered it used as it seems quite
interesting especially to the Sonno Joi faction among us :-) I'm also
including a link with a review of the book.

I also highly recommend using Http://www.addall.com to find the best
price on books. I found the 900+ pg Meiji bio for less than $20 using
that site.

Women of the Mito Domain
Kikue Yamakawa
Stanford University Press
isbn--0804731497

Link to review--
http://edenquest.tripod.com/id8.htm

--

Barbara Sheridan
http://www.barbarasheridan.net

Hi!

Could I ask for assistance from one of the Japanese speakers on list? I'm
writing a story in which one character says "Close the door," to another, in
Japanese. Can someone please tell me how you would conjugate the verb
"shimaru" in the imperative? Also, is "shimaru" the correct verb to use in
asking someone to close a door? Or is there verb that is more important.

Topical relevance? Ummm.. Other than that one of the main character's
personality is based on the PMK Okita... none. Apologies if this is
inappropriate for the list.

Thanks!

Bonnie

-"Doa o tojite kudasai"

Please close the (Western-style) door.

-"Shoji o tojite kudasai"

Please close the (sliding) door.

Shimaru would be "Shimatte" in the imperative.

--M.

--- In SHQ@yahoogroups.com, "Hirotada Tokugawa"
wrote:

> -"Doa o tojite kudasai"
>
> Please close the (Western-style) door.
>
> -"Shoji o tojite kudasai"
>
> Please close the (sliding) door.
>
> Shimaru would be "Shimatte" in the imperative.
>
> --M.

"tojite" (tojiru) is the word used for the door of a Western style
in many cases.
At a door of horizontal length like Shoji, I think that "shimete"
(shimeru) is more common.
Of course, most Japanese understand the meaning of a text also
by "tojite".
There is especially no problem as Japanese.
However, if more natural grammar is desired, I will think
that "shimete" is good.

-Shoji wo shimete kudasai.

"shimaru" is in the state where a door is closed automatically
without using man's hand.
It is "shimeru" when man shuts a door.

momoiro-usagi