During Seiko Ito’s radio programme that I worked on as a presenter nearly 30 years ago, I learned about ‘Sanka’ (Japanese Gypsy). It had been featured in the magazine “Marginal” more than likely given to me by writer Kureichi Matsuzawa. Since then, for some reason I had been thinking about it a lot and on the rare occasion I buy a book, read about it from time to time.

About 5 or 6 years ago I saw a documentary on Sanka descendants. I was really excited when I saw the programme. “They really existed …. even now, there are descendants!”

Hiroyuki Itsuki wrote a book about them, and though I picked up a copy I did not read, as it was too interesting. It is certainly “a new book about the Japanese mind”, something that feels as if it is touching the most intimate part of nostalgia.