Japanese Literature discussion

We can use this thread to share essays, et al. re Japanese literature, culture, whatever members find appropriate and book-related.

I should be working, but fell into this article, entitled, "How Japan's Modern Literature came under Nietzsche's spell" and I am fascinated.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/...

Here's an interesting article on the role of the translator, from the perspective of a couple of those who translate Japanese lit, and the publishers who publish them:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/...

Fitting none of the above folder topics, I enrolled in an edX class (free, self-paced) that starts tomorrow, entitled:

Visualizing Japan (1850s-1930s): Westernization, Protest, Modernity

and thought it might be of interest to other members.

This 3-course XSeries examines the modern history of Japan, from the 1850s to 1930s, as well as that of postwar Tokyo through the rich historical visual records.

The first course, “Visualizing Japan (1850s-1930s): Westernization, Protest, Modernity,” considers methodologies historians use to “visualize” the past and look into some historical events such as Commodore Perry’s 1853-54 expedition to Japan and Tokyo’s 1905 Hibiya Riot. It also examines modernity, as seen in the archives of the major Japanese cosmetics company, Shiseido.

The second and third courses, Visualizing Postwar Tokyo, Parts 1 & 2, focus on the changes and developments of Tokyo after World War II, as well as the gazes exchanged in postwar Tokyo, as a place of visualities.

This XSeries gives a great overview of Japan’s transition into the modern world and the transformation of postwar Tokyo.

What You'll Learn:
Methodologies to "visualize" Japanese history between the 1850s and 1930s
An understanding of Westernization, social protest, modernity in Japanese history through digital imagery
Strategies for learning — and teaching — history through visual sources
Noteworthy factors which promoted the development and change of Tokyo in the postwar period, such as the U.S. occupation and Tokyo Olympic Games
The dynamic exchange of gazes in postwar Tokyo from different perspectives

https://courses.edx.org/dashboard/pro...

Carol wrote: "Fitting none of the above folder topics, I enrolled in an edX class (free, self-paced) that starts tomorrow, entitled:

Visualizing Japan (1850s-1930s): Westernization, Protest, Modernity

and thou..."

Snap, Carol! I'd already signed up for it. My work's pretty busy the next month or so, so I won't get much done. I will, hopefully, come October. It looks interesting, though.

I had signed up for that same class a couple of years ago, but I was too busy to keep up and then I lost access :( I might try it again this time around!

That’s my history with Coursera, too. I’m good at registration. Something often stops me from taking the class. I’m trying to turn over a new leaf here. lol

Haha, I totally feel you, Carol. Let's hope this time it'll go smoothly!

Japan Times are currently on a retrospective of the 2010s (as we approach the end of 2019), and their critics have selected a list of best books from this decade, either by Japanese writers or about Japan. An interesting mix - let's see how many of us agree, or even come up with our own list!!

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/...

Alan wrote: "Japan Times are currently on a retrospective of the 2010s (as we approach the end of 2019), and their critics have selected a list of best books from this decade, either by Japanese writers or abou..."

WTF? All of JT's book reviewers got in a room and produced a list that includes only 3 Japanese authors? I'm a huge fan of Perry, but ... really? If I calm down and accept that their stated purpose was best books about Japan (written by anyone), I'm still bewildered.

You?

Carol wrote: "Alan wrote: "Japan Times are currently on a retrospective of the 2010s (as we approach the end of 2019), and their critics have selected a list of best books from this decade, either by Japanese wr..."

I totally agree, Carol. It does seem a bit odd. I guess they are aiming at general readers outside Japan, so have gone with similarly generally available books? Some of the choices seem a bit random. But then I guess lists like this always generate more disagreement than agreement, which is half the fun of them, is it not? :)

I agree with you, as well. But I can't really say that I'm surprised to see some titles in there, since most of those books have been talked about quite a lot.

I'm pulling resources on indies and small presses for a challenge in another group and encountered this Dec 2018 article on Red Circle Authors which I thought others might enjoy.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/...

And Books and Bao's review of Red Circle's Mini Collection, featuring Kanji Hanawa's Backlight, Roger Pulvers's Tokyo Performance, and Kazufumi Shiraishi's Stand-In Companion:

https://booksandbao.com/2019/04/16/re...

Has anyone read any of the 3 shorts?

At Electric Lit, Singaporean translator, Jen Wei Ting, has published an essay on the importance of translations both into and out of a culture. Her pointed remarks regarding the respect accorded to Korean authors in the Japanese market will surprise no one here.

https://electricliterature.com/how-li...

New review over at The Japan Times for Hiroaki Sato's new book The Forty-Seven Samurai

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/...

Michal wrote: "New review over at The Japan Times for Hiroaki Sato's new book The Forty-Seven Samurai

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/...-..."

*wipes away tear* I've reached my story limit. I'm delighted to see it getting some meaningful attention.

Carol wrote: "At Electric Lit, Singaporean translator, Jen Wei Ting, has published an essay on the importance of translations both into and out of a culture. Her pointed remarks regarding the respect accorded to..."
I laughed at the Korean's loving Murakami part because my Korean friend has been telling me how much he loves Murakami and that I should read Norwegian Wood asap.

Jeshika wrote: "Carol wrote: "At Electric Lit, Singaporean translator, Jen Wei Ting, has published an essay on the importance of translations both into and out of a culture. Her pointed remarks regarding the respe..."

and still you resist. : ) Me, too.

Carol wrote: "and still you resist. : ) Me, too."

Haha, I've bumped it up my list, to after Villain. : )

You really should. Norwegian Wood and Windup Bird are my favorite two Murakami novels.

This from Japan Times, an article (slightly tongue in cheek?) about Murakami superfans and their obsession with the Nobel prize:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/...

Alan wrote: "This from Japan Times, an article (slightly tongue in cheek?) about Murakami superfans and their obsession with the Nobel prize:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/......"

This made my day. From “some Scandinavian countries have better taste than others” to “Nobel Prize goes to foreigner.” And the Mishima anecdote. I don’t want to think of him as desperate or insecure, so I’ll purge that from my long-term memory.

Alan wrote: "This from Japan Times, an article (slightly tongue in cheek?) about Murakami superfans and their obsession with the Nobel prize:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/......"

The link doesn't work for me :/

@Akylina Are you clicking on it in Carol's reply or my original post? It should work from the original link, but it won't from any subsequent appearance in replies. I've been caught out by that on other occasions. If it doesn't work from the original, sorry. But you could then just go to the Japan Times site, click on the lik to Culture, then the link to Books. It's worth checking out anyway, if you are interested :)

Alan wrote: "@Akylina Are you clicking on it in Carol's reply or my original post? It should work from the original link, but it won't from any subsequent appearance in replies. I've been caught out by that on ..."

You are right, Alan, I tried it from your original post and it worked fine :) It was definitely worth checking out, thank you for sharing!

Akylina wrote: "Alan wrote: "@Akylina Are you clicking on it in Carol's reply or my original post? It should work from the original link, but it won't from any subsequent appearance in replies. I've been caught ou..."

Glad to hear it, Akylina.

A (non-paywalled) translated true crime essay by Shoko Egawa, translated by David Boyd, distributed by CrimeReads, published at Words Without Borders. From "Rokunin-me no Giseisha." Published 1994 by Bungei Shunju.

"The Sixth Victim - A Murder in Small-Town Japan"

https://crimereads.com/the-sixth-vict...

I highly recommend the History of Japan podcast, it lightens my gym routine a lot and covers diverse subjects from Heian period to the bubble economy of the 1990’s.
http://isaacmeyer.net/category/podcas...

Henk, that looks really interesting, thanks for that.

My first instinct on seeing Episode 315 on your link was to think of Sheldon on Big Bang Theory feeling uncomfortable watching an episode of CSI, never having seen any before. 'Just think of all the previous episodes as prequels,' suggests Amy. I shall dive into the podcasts and consider any that came before as said prequels :)

Enjoy and don’t feel intimidated, just more to discover! 😊

I've just bought myself a copy of Travels with a Writing Brush: Classical Japanese Travel Writing from the Manyoshu to Basho - a wee pre-Christmas treat to myself.

Here's an article from Japan Times about the book, for anyone interested:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/...

Please let us know the table of contents when the book arrives. If it has excerpts of books I haven't read, I might want to pick it up.

Bill wrote: "Please let us know the table of contents when the book arrives. If it has excerpts of books I haven't read, I might want to pick it up."

Bill, just had a quick look on Amazon - if you switch settings to amazon.co.uk, it has the Look Inside feature which will give you the full list of works included, as well as the first few pages.

If you can't get to it, then I'll definitely let you know into next week when I pick up my copy :)

Thanks. It overlaps with some collections I have already, but there enough material I don't have to make it worth the purchase.

Sorry to cost you more money, Bill!! :)

Alan wrote: "Sorry to cost you more money, Bill!! :)"

Adding to my Christmas list :)

In checking for the umpteenth time whether there are any 2020 releases announced that we haven't collectively flagged, I bumped into an essay at Translationista identifying recipients of the 2019-20 Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture translation prizes, announced but not awarded until April 2020.

http://translationista.com/2019/11/do...

The Japan - US Friendship Commission Prizes go to Janine Beichman and Sam Bett. The Lindsley and Masao Miyoshi Translation Prize will be awarded to:

Margaret Mitsutani for her translation of Yōko Tawada’s The Emissary, one of our Spring reads, and Matt Treyvaud for his translation of Fukumi Shimura’s The Music of Color.

Which made me realize that I wasn't aware of The Music of Color being released in 2019, and it has only 1 review. Has anyone read it or heard anything about it? Is it such a specialized topic - textiles - that it's only of interest to specialist readers? It has a lovely cover.

In today's WashingtonPost, an article on the popularity of "the surprise viral hit," What has happened to me by Tomomi Shimizu.


https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/...

here's a link to her first manga on the topic of China's treatment of the Uighurs, initially published in June, "No one will say the name of that country."

https://note.com/tomomishimizu/n/nc00...

It's been out for a while (and indeed it was shortlisted for the Booker International this year) but here's an article about The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann from Japan Times yesterday:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/culture/...

It's a fun, quirky - and ultimately quite moving - book. Anyone who has an interest in Basho will appreciate it.

And, btw, I see that a version is currently available for immediate download on Edelweiss+.

Alan wrote: "It's been out for a while (and indeed it was shortlisted for the Booker International this year) but here's an article about The Pine Islands by Marion Poschmann fr..."

Nice. Thanks.

Just noticed this, from the BBC website: Japanese literature in translation in 5 books:

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20...

Makes me want to ask as a starter for 10 (University Challenge reference, if you missed it), what would be the 5 books YOU would suggest people should read to get started on a journey into J-lit...?

It's a different question than the article suggests. They asked for 'five must-read books from Japanese literature', which would get quite different responses. Incidentally, I think their selection of short story collections in such a list is cheating :)

Norwegian Wood
Botchan
Musashi
The Waiting Years
Out

I'm trying to pick a variety of books written and set at different times, and those which don't require a lot of Japanese culture knowledge to understand. But like any such list, someone will hate nearly every book on it!

I was trying to just broaden it out. I, for one, would never dare to say 'must read'. I thought it was more in the spirit of the group to make suggestions for a way in, but the festive period has made me lax to your eagle-eyed perfection!

I would also go with Norwegian Wood, it's my go to staple when people are in the bookshop. I'm still pondering my others.

I find the BBC selections to be an odd response to "5 must-read books in japanese lit". As someone who has asked friends for such lists more than once, and framed my inquiry as, 'what are the 5 books I need to read to understand X or that are universally understood by residents of X as foundational lit," no one has ever proposed a short story collection as essential. The authors presented in each collection might be essential reading, but ... really, BBC?

For whatever it's worth, when I was standing in kinokuniya (NY) lo those 4 - 5 years ago and exchanging GR messages with another friend on the 5-must-read topic, the novels he either suggested or confirmed as good choices were:

Snow Country
The Woman in the Dunes
The Makioka Sisters
Spring Snow
The Hunting Gun

I've only read 3 to-date, but looking back, I think it's not a bad slate, realizing that others likely would sub out the Inouye for a Murikami of their preference.

In 2020, I expect to finally get around to successfully tackling Norwegian Wood. You all are good influences on that score.

@Bill - help me understand why, given all of the options available to you, Out is on your list? I made it to page 50 or so a couple of years ago and thought, "meh." I know it's on every list under the sun of women Japanese authors one should read, but .... 'splain its significance for you.

Alan wrote: "Just noticed this, from the BBC website: Japanese literature in translation in 5 books:

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20...

Makes me want to ..."

For people getting started on a J-lit journey, I also suggest the 2 nonfiction books that probably had more influence on my continuing this journey than any others: In Praise of Shadows (notwithstanding the light-skinned/dark-skinned philosophy revealed within it) and The Book of Tea. I appreciate that this is a contrarian suggestion, and perhaps if one is a Westerner who has lived or currently lives in Japan, it's entirely unnecessary, but if one is only an armchair traveler, some non-fiction introduction to Zen, to history, to culture helps bridge the gap and enhance understanding/appreciation, IMO.

So, given a very short time of thinking, I'm going with either books that brought me to J-lit in the first place (so maybe not 'high lit'), or ones that I've read since that I think have made the biggest impact:

Norwegian Wood
The Sound of the Mountain, Kawabata
In the Miso Soup, Ryu Murakami
Winter Sleep, Kitakata
Tokyo Ueno Station, Yu Miri

@Carol, I'm totally with you on both those non-fiction. Both were on my radar.

Alan wrote: "So, given a very short time of thinking, I'm going with either books that brought me to J-lit in the first place (so maybe not 'high lit', or ones that I've read since that I think have made the bi..."

If we can include non high lit, I'm 100% with you on Miso Soup and add The Thief and The Devotion of Suspect X. The Thief might be the first Japanese novel in translation I read and I wanted more spare, nihilistic novels in my life. lol

I suggest some‘classic’ j-lit:
snow country by kawabata
temple of the golden pavilion by mishima
woman in the dunes by abe

and currently:
the memory police by ogawa

Also with you on Memory Police, Michael. Yup. Definitely a highlight of last year. Am about to launch into Woman in the Dunes for this month's read, so I'm expecting high things.