For people who are not familiar with the world’s most prominent scholar of Japanese literature, Keene is one of the Greatest Generation Japanologists, men who came with the occupation and introduced Japan to post war America.
When I first came to Japan in the 80s, it was through their eyes that I learned more about this country than what my beginning language skills could support.
There may be others, but the three I closely associate are Keene, Edwin Reischauer, and Donald Richie.
It will be a pleasure to have him back. I hope to go to a lecture if he gives one.