At, Over, In, Only (after, when, or because)
Structure:
Number + Counter + にして
Noun + にして
I’m a bit stuck on how this functions in this example sentence:
これは西尾維新のような文豪にして初めて書ける名著だ。
All the other examples have にして modifying something with a clear chronological aspect (eg. overnight, the 50th year of marriage, the first year of university).
Here it modifies:
“これは西尾維新のような文豪”
The English translation is quite off sounding (which is pretty common for the N1 translations, but not really a huge issue as you should have the Japanese to not need them by this point). However, for this one that I can’t figure out it’s not enlightening much for me.
“This is a masterpiece that could only be written when a literary giant like Nishio Ishin did it for the first time.”
Any pointers greatly appreciated!