Eileen Lynn Kato facts for kids

Eileen Lynn Kato (born March 23, 1932 – died August 31, 2008) was an amazing Irish scholar and translator. She was a top expert in Japanese poetry and theatre.

From 1991 to 2007, she worked for the Japanese Imperial Household. She was an advisor, called a goyogakari. This was a very special role because she was the first non-Japanese person to ever hold it!

Besides her deep knowledge of Japanese arts, she also knew a lot about old languages. These included Old English, Old Irish, Medieval French, and Classical Japanese.

Her Early Life and School

Eileen Lynn was born in Bangor Erris, Ireland, on March 23, 1932. Her dad, Jimmy Lynn, was from a nearby area called Briska. Her mom, Mary Tracy, was from Galway.

She went to school at the Ursuline Convent in Sligo. Later, she studied at University College Galway. In 1953, she earned a top degree in French and Spanish.

In 1954, she won a scholarship from the French government. This allowed her to study at the University of Poitiers in France. There, she earned her first master's degree. She then won another scholarship and studied at the Sorbonne in Paris.

Later, in the 1960s, she moved to New York. Her husband was working for the United Nations there. While in New York, she earned a second master's degree in Japanese Studies. She even learned from a famous scholar named Donald Keene.

Her Work and Cultural Impact

Eileen Lynn Kato spent most of her career translating. She mainly translated from Japanese into English. She also translated waka poems into Irish and English. Waka is a very old and traditional form of Japanese poetry.

Her translations were featured in many books. One famous collection was called Twenty Plays of the Noh Theatre. She also wrote her own poems, including waka.

While living in Japan, Eileen became an expert in the Noh theatre. This is a classic style of Japanese dance and drama. She loved going to Noh plays and became friends with many famous Noh actors.

She also wrote many articles for academic magazines. These articles were about Irish and Japanese literature. One of these magazines was called Monumenta Nipponica.

Her Personal Life

Eileen met her husband, Yoshiya Kato, while she was studying in Poitiers. He was a Japanese diplomat working in France. Their marriage was quite unusual at the time. It was one of the first times a Japanese diplomat married someone from another country after World War II. Because of this, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had to approve their marriage.

Eileen and Yoshiya lived in many different places. These included the United States, China, and Egypt. They often spoke French together. Eileen also became a citizen of Japan.

Her Passing

Eileen Lynn Kato passed away on August 31, 2008. She was 76 years old.