About this item
Much has been written about Leonard Bernstein, a musician of extraordinary talent who was legendary for his passionate love of life and many relationships. In this work, Mari Yoshihara reveals the deeply emotional connections Bernstein formed with two little-known Japanese individuals, which she narrates through their personal letters that have never been seen before. Dearest Lenny interweaves an intimate story of love and art with a history of Bernstein's transformation from an American icon to a world maestro during the second half of the twentieth century. The articulate, moving letters of Kazuko Amano--a woman who began writing fan letters to Bernstein in 1947 and became a close family friend--and Kunihiko Hashimoto--a young man who fell in love with the maestro in 1979 and later became his business representative--convey the meaning Bernstein and his music had at various stages of their lives.
About the Author
I am Professor of American Studies at the University of Hawai'i at Mnoa. My areas of expertise include U.S. cultural history, U.S.-Asian relations, literary and cultural studies, and gender studies. My life has been split almost equally between the United States and Japan, and my career and life continue to be rooted in both countries. I publish in both Japanese and English for academic as well as general audience. As a scholar, teacher, and writer, I place an emphasis on the importance of historical understanding, a wide knowledge of contemporary society, and a deep linguistic and cultural sensibility. Much of my work focuses on the politics of U.S.-Asian encounter and the role of cultural representations and practices in shaping collective and individual identities. Since 2014, I have served as the editor of American Quarterly, the journal of the American Studies Association. I am currently working on a bilingual autobiographical novel that explores the meaning of living in two languages. An avid amateur pianist, I give annual recitals in Honolulu as a form of goal-setting and self-torture. I have participated in the Cliburn International Amateur Piano Competition, PianoTexas International Academy & Festival, and Aloha International Piano Festival.
