Teru Miyamoto (born in 1947) is one of the most widely circulated Japanese writers; his books are filmed and translated into foreign languages. “Patterned Brocade” (1982) is a work, at first glance, elitist, permeated with Japanese artistic tradition. But the sublime style is piquantly flavored with elements of an artistic essay, a philosophical parable, mysticism and even an almost detective plot. The Japanese title “Patterned Brocade” (“Kinshu”) can be translated in different ways, including as “exquisite poetry and prose.” Word, feeling, color and music of the soul, merging, form a sparkling, precious fabric of a truly beautiful narrative...