Monday

Books I'd Like to Own: Asian


Authors:
  1. Abe Kōbō (1924-1993)
  2. Dazai Osamu (1909-1948)
  3. Endō Shūsaku (1923-1996)
  4. Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904)
  5. Kawabata Yasunari (1899-1972)
  6. Mishima Yukio (1925-1970)
  7. Murakami Haruki (1949- )
  8. Natsume Sōseki (1867-1916)
  9. Ōe Kenzaburō (1935- )
  10. Tanizaki Jun'ichirō (1886-1965)
  11. Yoshimoto Banana (1964- )



Donald Keene: Five Modern Japanese Novelists (2003)

Donald Keene. Five Modern Japanese Novelists: Tanizaki Jun'ichirō, Kawabata Yasunari, Mishima Yukio, Abe Kōbō, Shiba Ryōtarō. New York: Columbia University Press, 2003.



Books I own are marked in bold:




Kōbō Abe (2013)


    Abe Kimifusa ['Abe Kōbō'] (1924-1993)

    Novels:

  1. At the Guidepost at the End of the Road [Owarishi michi no shirube ni] (1948)
  2. Starving Unions [Kiga doumei] (1954)
  3. Beasts Head for Home [Kemono tachi wa kokyou wo mezasu]. Trans. Richard F. Calichman, 2017 (1957)
  4. Inter Ice Age 4 [Dai yon kan pyouki]. Trans. E. Dale Saunders, 1970 (1959)
  5. Stony Eyes [Ishi no me] (1960)
  6. The Woman in the Dunes [Suna no onna]. Trans. E. Dale Saunders, 1964 (1962)
    • The Woman in the Dunes. 1962. Trans. E. Dale Saunders. Drawings by Machi Abé. 1964. New York: Vintage, 1972.
  7. The Face of Another [Tanin no kao]. Trans. E. Dale Saunders, 1966 (1964)
    • The Face of Another. 1964. Trans. E. Dale Saunders. 1966. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1972.
  8. The Double of Human Being [Ningen sokkuri] (1966)
  9. The Ruined Map [Moetsukita chizu]. Trans. E. Dale Saunders, 1968 (1967)
    • The Ruined Map: A Novel. 1967. Trans. E. Dale Saunders. 1969. Vintage International. New York: Random House, Inc., 2001.
  10. The Box Man [Hako otoko]. Trans. E. Dale Saunders, 1974 (1973)
    • The Box Man. 1973. Trans. E. Dale Saunders. 1974. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1975.
  11. Secret Rendezvous [Mikkai]. Trans. Juliet Winters Carpenter, 1979 (1977)
  12. The Ark Sakura [Hakobune sakura maru]. Trans. Juliet Winters Carpenter, 1988 (1984)
  13. Kangaroo Notebook [Kangaruu noto]. 1973-77. Trans. Maryellen Toman Mori, 1996 (1991)
  14. The Flying Man [Tobu otoko] (1994)

  15. Short stories:

  16. The Dream Escape [Yume no toubou] (1949)
  17. The Red Cocoon [Akai mayu]. Trans. Lane Dunlop, 1986 (1950)
  18. The Flood [Kouzui]. Trans. Lane Dunlop, 1986 (1950)
  19. The Magic Chalk [Mahou no chouku]. Trans. Alison Kibrick, 1993 (1951)
  20. The Starving Skin [Ueta hihu] (1951)
  21. The underwater city [Suichu toshi] (1952)
  22. The Stick [Bou]. Trans. Lane Dunlop, 1986 (1950)
  23. Inventions by No. R62 [R62 gou no hatumei] (1956)
  24. The Egg of Pb [Namari no tamago] (1957)
  25. Four stories. Trans. Andrew Horvat (1973)
    1. The deaf girl [Oshimusume] (1949)
    2. The dog [Inu] (1954)
    3. The dream soldier [Yume no heishi] (1957)
    4. The cliff of time [Toki no gake] (1964)
  26. Beyond the Curve. Trans. Juliet Winters Carpenter (1991)
    1. Dendrocacalia [Dendorokakariya] (1949)
    2. The Wall ― The Crime of S. Karma [Kabe―S・Karuma shi no hanzai] (1951)
    3. Intruders [Chinnyusha] (1951)
    4. The Life of a Poet [Shijin no Shougai] (1951)
    5. Noah's Ark [Noa no hakobune] (1952)
    6. Record of a Transformation [Henkei no kiroku] (1954)
    7. Beguiled [Yuwakusha] (1957)
    8. The Dream Soldier [Yume no heishi] (1957)
    9. The Special Envoy [Shisha] (1958)
    10. The Bet [Kake] (1960)
    11. An Irrelevant Death [Mukankei na shi] (1961)
    12. Beyond the Curve [Kabu no mukou] (1966)


  27. Plays:

  28. The Man Who Turned into a Stick: Three Related Plays. Trans. Donald Keene (1973)
    1. The Cliff of Time [Jikan no gake]
    2. Suitcase [Sūtsukēsu]
    3. The Man Who Turned Into A Stick [Bou ni natta otoko] (1957)
  29. Three Plays by Kōbō Abe. Trans. Donald Keene (1994)
    1. The Ghost Is Here [Yuurei wa koko ni iru] (1958)
    2. Involuntary Homicide [Mihitsu no koi] (1971)
    3. Green Stockings [Midori iro no sutokkingu] (1974)
  30. You, Too, Are Guilty [Omae nimo tsumi ga aru]. Trans. Ted T. Takaya (1965)
  31. Friends [Tomodachi]. Trans. Donald Keene (1967)
  32. Takeaki Enomoto [Enomoto Takeaki]. Trans. Enomoto Buyo (1967)
  33. Ue (Slave Hunting) / The Animal Hunter [Uē (Shin dorei gari)]. Trans. James R. Brandon (1975)

  34. Non-fiction:

  35. The Frontier Within: Essays by Abe Kōbō. Trans. Richard Calichman. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013.

  36. Poetry:

  37. Poems of an Unknown Poet [Mumei shishu] (1947)
  38. Kidnap [Hito sarai] (1978)

After a burst of fame in the 1960s and 70s, Abe largely sank from sight in the English-speaking world. More recently he's begun to regain his place among twentieth century masters of SF and the Fantastic, though.




Osamu Dazai (1948)


    Dazai Osamu (1909-1948)

    Novels:

  1. A Standard-bearer of the Twentieth Century [Nijusseiki Kishu] (1937)
  2. One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji [Fugaku Hyakkei] (1939)
  3. Schoolgirl [Joseito] (1939)
    • Schoolgirl. Trans. Allison Markin Powell. New York: One Peace Books, 2011.
  4. Women's Duel [Onna no Kettō] (1940)
  5. An Urgent Appeal [Kakekomi Uttae] (1940)
  6. Run, Melos! [Hashire Merosu] (1940)
  7. New Hamlet [Shin-Hamuretto] (1941)
  8. Right and Smile [Seigi to Bisho] (1942)
  9. Minister of the Right Sanetomo [Udaijin Sanetomo] (1943)
  10. Tsugaru (1944)
    • Return to Tsugaru: Travels of a Purple Tramp - Reminiscences. 1944. Trans. James Westerhoven. 1985. Tokyo & New York: Kodansha International Ltd., 1987.
  11. Pandora's Box [Pandora no Hako] (1945)
  12. A farewell with regret [Sekibetsu] (1945)
  13. Villon's Wife [Viyon No Tsuma] (1947)
  14. The Setting Sun [Shayō] (1947)
    • The Setting Sun. 1947. Trans. Donald Keene. 1950. London: Peter Owen, 1958.
  15. A Cherry [Ōtō] (1948)
  16. No Longer Human [Ningen Shikkaku] [aka A Shameful Life] (1948)
    • No Longer Human. 1948. Trans. Donald Keene. 1958. New York: New Directions, 1973.
    • A Shameful Life: Ningen Shikkaku. Trans. Mark Gibeau. Berkeley, Stone Bridge Press, 2018.
  17. Good-Bye [Guddo-bai] (1948)

  18. Stories:

  19. Memories [Omoide] (1933)
  20. Flowers of Buffoonery [Dōke no Hana] (1935)
  21. False Spring [Kyokō no Haru] (1936)
  22. The Late Years [Bannen] (1936)
  23. A New Version of Countries' Tales [Shinshaku Shokoku Banashi] (1945)
  24. Fairy Tales [Otogizōshi] (1945)
    • Otogizōshi: The Fairy Tale Book of Dazai Osamu. Trans. Ralph F. McCarthy. Fukuoka, Kurodahan Press, 2011.
  25. Selected Stories and Sketches. Trans. James O’Brien. Ithaca, New York, China-Japan Program, Cornell University, 1983.
  26. Run, Melos! and Other Stories. Trans. Ralph F. McCarthy. Tokyo: Kodansha International, 1988.
  27. Crackling Mountain and other stories. Trans. James O’Brien. Rutland, Vermont, Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1989.
  28. Blue Bamboo: Tales of Fantasy and Romance. Trans. Ralph F. McCarthy. Tokyo and New York, Kodansha International, 1993.
  29. Blue Bamboo: Tales by Dazai Osamu. Trans. Ralph F. McCarthy. Fukuoka, Kurodahan Press, 2012.
  30. Wish Fulfilled. Trans. Reiko Seri & Doc Kane. Kobe, Japan, Maplopo, 2019.

  31. Plays:

  32. Winter's firework [Fuyu no Hanabi] Play (1946)

  33. Non-fiction:

  34. I heard it in this way [Nyozegamon] (1948)

One of the first Japanese novelists to make a splash in the West after the Second World War. He was subsequently overtaken by Mishima, Abe, and various others, but his work remains vital and interesting.



Shūsaku Endō (1954)


    Endō Shūsaku (1923-1996)

    Novels:

  1. The Sea and Poison (1957)
    • The Sea and Poison. 1958. Trans. Michael Gallagher. London: Peter Owen, 1972.
  2. Wonderful Fool (1959)
    • Wonderful Fool. 1959. Trans. Francis Mathy. 1974. London: Quartet Books Limited, 1979.
  3. Stained Glass Elegies. Trans. 1984. (1959)
  4. Volcano (1960)
  5. The Girl I Left Behind (1964)
  6. Silence (1966)
    • Silence. 1967. Trans. William Johnston. 1969. London: Quartet Books Limited, 1984.
  7. Kuronbō (1971)
  8. Life of Jesus (1973)
  9. When I Whistle (1974)
  10. Marie Antoinette (1979)
  11. The Samurai (1980)
    • The Samurai. 1980. Trans. Van C. Gessel. 1982. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1983.
  12. Kiku's Prayer (1982)
  13. Scandal (1986))
    • Scandal. 1986. Trans. Van C. Gessel. 1988. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1989.
  14. Deep River (1993)

  15. Short Stories & Novellas:

  16. To Aden [Aden made] (1954)
  17. White Man (1955)
  18. Yellow Man (1955)
  19. Foreign Studies [Ryūgaku] (1965)
    • Foreign Studies. 1965. Trans. Mark Williams. 1989. Sceptre. London: Hodder & Stoughton Ltd., 1990.
  20. Banks of the Dead Sea (1973)
  21. The Final Martyrs: 11 short stories, 1959-1985. Trans. 2008.

  22. Plays:

  23. The Golden Country (1966)

  24. Non-fiction:

  25. Novels Loved by Me & Search for the Real Me (1985)

I didn't really much like Scorsese's film of Silence, but I do like Endo's writing generally - especially the novel The Girl I Left Behind, which I actually read in French (La fille que j'ai abandonnée) because it was lent to me by a girl from New Caledonia sometime in the late 1990s.




Frederick Gutekunst: Lafcadio Hearn (1889)


    Patrick Lafcadio Hearn (1850-1904)

    America & the West Indies:

  1. La Cuisine Creole: A Collection of Culinary Recipes (1885)
  2. "Gombo Zhèbes": A Little Dictionary of Creole Proverbs, Selected from Six Creole Dialects (1885)
  3. Chita: A Memory of Last Island (1889)
  4. Youma, the Story of a West-Indian Slave (1889)
  5. Two Years in the French West Indies (1890)

  6. Japan:

  7. Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan (1894)
  8. Out of the East: Reveries and Studies in New Japan (1895)
  9. Kokoro: Hints and Echoes of Japanese Inner Life (1896)
    • Kokoro: Hints and Echoes of Japanese Inner Life. 1896. Tokyo & Rutland, Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1977.
  10. Gleanings in Buddha-Fields: Studies of Hand and Soul in the Far East (1897)
  11. The Boy who Drew Cats (1897)
  12. Exotics and Retrospectives (1898)
  13. Japanese Fairy Tales (1898)
  14. In Ghostly Japan (1899)
    • In Ghostly Japan. 1899. Tokyo & Rutland, Vermont: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1972.
  15. Shadowings (1900)
  16. Japanese Lyrics (1900)
  17. A Japanese Miscellany (1901)
  18. Kottō: Being Japanese Curios, with Sundry Cobwebs (1902)
  19. Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things (1904)
    • Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things. 1904. The Travellers’ Library. London: Jonathan Cape, 1927.
  20. Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation (1904)
  21. The Romance of the Milky Way and other studies and stories (1905)

  22. Posthumous:

  23. Letters from the Raven; being the correspondence of Lafcadio Hearn with Henry Watkin et al. (1907)
  24. Leaves from the Diary of an Impressionist (1911)
  25. Interpretations of Literature (1915)
  26. Karma (1918)
  27. On Reading in Relation to Literature (1921)
  28. Creole Sketches (1924)
  29. Lectures on Shakespeare (1928)
  30. Insect-musicians and other stories and sketches (1929)
  31. Japan's Religions: Shinto and Buddhism (1966)
  32. Books and Habits; from the Lectures of Lafcadio Hearn (1968)
  33. Writings from Japan: An Anthology (1984)
    • Writings from Japan: An Anthology. Ed. Francis King. Penguin Travel Library. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1984.
  34. Lafcadio Hearn's America: Ethnographic Sketches and Editorials (2002)
  35. Lafcadio Hearn's Japan: An Anthology of His Writings on the Country and Its People (2007)
  36. American Writings (Library of America, 2009): Some Chinese Ghosts | Chita | Two Years in the French West Indies | Youma | selected journalism and letters
  37. Insect Literature (2015)
  38. Japanese Ghost Stories. Ed. Paul Murray (2019)
  39. Japanese Tales of Lafcadio Hearn. Ed. Andrei Codrescu (2019)

  40. Translations &c.:

  41. One of Cleopatra's Nights and Other Fantastic Romances, by Théophile Gautier (1882)
  42. Stray Leaves From Strange Literature; Stories Reconstructed from the Anvari-Soheili, Baital Pachisi, Mahabharata, Pantchantra, Gulistan, Talmud, Kalewala, etc. (1884)
  43. Some Chinese Ghosts (1887)
  44. Tales from Théophile Gautier (1888)
  45. The Crime of Sylvestre Bonnard, by Anatole France (1890)
  46. The Temptation of Saint Anthony, by Gustave Flaubert (1910)
  47. Stories from Emile Zola (1935)
  48. The Tales of Guy de Maupassant (1964)

  49. Secondary:

  50. Elizabeth Bisland. The Life and Letters of Lafcadio Hearn. 2 vols. New York: Houghton, Mifflin & Company, 1906.
  51. Jonathan Cott. Wandering Ghost: The Odyssey of Lafcadio Hearn. New York: Knopf, 1990.
  52. Carl Dawson. Lafcadio Hearn and the Vision of Japan. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1992.
  53. Paul Murray. A Fantastic Journey: The Life and Literature of Lafcadio Hearn. Tokyo: Japan Library, 1993.


A great favourite of lovers of fin-de-siècle decadence, such as H. P. Lovecraft and his circle, Irish-Greek-American writer Lafcadio Hearn turns out still to be surprisingly popular in his adopted country, Japan.


    Kawabata Yasunari (1899-1972)

    Fiction:

  1. The Dancing Girl of Izu [Izu no odoriko] (1926)
    • [with Inoue Yasushi]. The Izu Dancer and Other Stories. 1926. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker & Leon Pica. 1954 & 1965. Tokyo: Charles E. Tuttle Company, 1983.
  2. The Scarlet Gang of Asakusa [Asakusa kurenaidan]. Trans. 2005 (1930)
  3. Snow Country [Yukiguni] (1935-37, 1947)
    • Snow Country / Thousand Cranes. 1935-37 & 1949-52. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. 1956 & 1958. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1971.
  4. The Master of Go [Meijin] (1951-54)
    • The Master of Go. 1951-54. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. 1972. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1974.
  5. Thousand Cranes [Senbazuru] (1949-52)
    • Snow Country / Thousand Cranes. 1935-37 & 1949-52. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. 1956 & 1958. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1971.
  6. The Sound of the Mountain [Yama no oto] (1949-54)
    • The Sound of the Mountain. 1949-54. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. 1970. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1974.
  7. The Lake [Mizuumi] (1954)
    • The Lake. 1954. Trans. Reiko Tsukimura. 1974. Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd., 1980.
  8. The House of the Sleeping Beauties [Nemureru bijo] (1961)
    • House of the Sleeping Beauties and Other Stories. 1961. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. Introduction by Yukio Mishima. London: The Quadriga Press / Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd., 1969.
    • House of the Sleeping Beauties and Other Stories. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. Introduction by Mishima Yukio. 1969. Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd., 1982.
  9. The Old Capital [Koto]. Trans. 1987 (1962)
  10. Beauty and Sadness [Utsukushisa to kanashimi to] (1964)
    • Beauty and Sadness. 1964. Trans. Howard Hibbett. 1975. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1979.
  11. One Arm [Kataude]. Trans. 1969 (1964)
  12. Dandelions [Tanpopo]. Trans. 2017 (1964-68, 1972)
  13. Palm-of-the-Hand Stories [Tanagokoro no shōsetsu] (1932-72)
    • Palm-of-the-Hand Stories. Trans. Lane Dunlop & J. Martin Holme. 1988. Picador Classics. London: Pan Books Ltd., 1989.

  14. Non-fiction:

  15. Japan, The Beautiful, and Myself. 1968. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. 1969. Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd., 1981.

Yasunari Kawabata is, I suppose, the epitome of most people's idea of a classic Japanese novelist: concise, spare, weighty, and intensely conscious of the aesthetic effect of every word he writes. He's a lot more interesting than that clichéd reading would suggest, however.




Yukio Mishima (1956)


    Hiraoka Kimitake [Mishima Yukio] (1925-1970)

    Novels:

  1. Thieves [Tōzoku] (1947-1948)
  2. Confessions of a Mask [Kamen no Kokuhaku] (1949)
    • Confessions of a Mask. 1948. Trans. Meredith Weatherby. 1958. London: Peter Owen, 1960.
  3. Thirst for Love [Ai no Kawaki] (1950)
    • Thirst for Love. 1950. Trans. Alfred H. Marks. 1969. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1978.
  4. Pure White Nights [Junpaku no Yoru] (1950)
  5. The Age of Blue [Ao no Jidai] (1950)
  6. Forbidden Colors [Kinjiki] (1951-1953)
    • Forbidden Colours. 1953. Trans. Alfred H. Marks. 1968. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1976.
  7. The Sound of Waves [Shiosai] (1954)
    • The Sound of Waves. 1954. Trans. Meredith Weatherby. Drawings by Yoshinori Kinoshita. 1956. London: Secker & Warburg, 1957.
  8. The Sunken Waterfall [Shizumeru Taki] (1955)
  9. The Temple of the Golden Pavilion [Kinkaku-ji] (1956)
    • The Temple of the Golden Pavilion. 1956. Trans. Ivan Morris. Introduction by Nancy Wilson Ross. Drawings by Fumi Komatsu. London: Secker & Warburg, 1959.
  10. Kyoko's House [Kyōko no Ie] (1959)
  11. After the Banquet [Utage no Ato] (1960)
    • After the Banquet. 1960. Trans. Donald Keene. 1963. A Berkley Medallion Book. New York: Berkley Publishing Corporation, 1971.
  12. The Frolic of the Beasts [Kemono no Tawamure] (1961)
    • The Frolic of the Beasts. 1961. Trans. Andrew Clare. Vintage International. New York: Vintage Books, 2018.
  13. A Beautiful Star [Utsukushii Hoshi]. Trans. Stephen Dodd, 2021 (1962)
  14. The School of Flesh [Nikutai no Gakkō] (1963)
  15. The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea [Gogo no Eikō] (1963)
    • The Sailor Who Fell from Grace with the Sea. 1963. Trans. John Nathan. 1965. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1977.
  16. Silk and Insight [Kinu to Meisatsu]. Trans. Hiroaki Sato, 1998 (1964)
  17. Life for Sale [Inochi Urimasu]. Trans. Stephen Dodd , 2019 (1968)
  18. The Sea of Fertility Tetralogy [Hōjō no Umi] (1965–1971)
    1. Spring Snow [Haru no Yuki]. Trans. Michael Gallagher, 1972 (1965-1967)
    2. Runaway Horses [Honba]. Trans. Michael Gallagher, 1973 (1967-1968)
    3. The Temple of Dawn [Akatsuki no Tera]. Trans. E. Dale Saunders and Cecilia S. Seigle, 1973 (1968-1970)
    4. The Decay of the Angel [Tennin Gosui]. Trans. Edward Seidensticker, 1974 (1970-1971)
    • The Sea of Fertility: Spring Snow; Runaway Horses; The Temple of Dawn; The Decay of the Angel. 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971. Trans. Michael Gallagher, E. Dale Saunders & Cecelia Sagawa Seigle, Edward G. Seidensticker. 1972, 1973, 1973, 1975. Penguin Modern Classics. 1985. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1986.

  19. Short Stories:

  20. Forest in Full Bloom [Hanazakari no Mori]. Trans. Andrew Rankin, 2000 (1941)
  21. The Circus [Sākasu]. Trans. Andrew Rankin, 1999 (1948)
  22. The Boy Who Wrote Poetry [Shi o Kaku Shōnen]. Trans. Ian H. Levy, 1977 (1954)
  23. Star [Sutā]. Trans. Sam Bett, 2019 (1960)
  24. Acts of Worship [Mikumano Mōde]. Trans. John Bester, 1995 (1965)
  25. The Peacocks [Kujaku]. Trans. Andrew Rankin, 1999 (1965)
  26. The Voices of the Heroic Dead [Eirei no Koe] (1966)
  27. Death in Midsummer and Other Stories. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker, Ivan Morris, Donald Keene, Geoffrey W. Sargent (1966)
    1. Death in Midsummer [Manatsu no Shi] (1952)
    2. Three Million Yen
    3. Thermos Flasks
    4. The Priest of Shiga Temple and His Love
    5. The Seven Bridges
    6. Patriotism [Yūkoku] (1961)
    7. Dōjōji Temple [Dōjōji] Noh (1957)
    8. Onnagata
    9. The Pearl
    10. Swaddling Clothes
    • Death in Midsummer and Other Stories. Trans Donald Keene, Ivan Morris, Geoffrey W. Sargent, & Edward G. Seidensticker, 1966. London: Secker & Warburg, 1967.

  28. Plays:

  29. The Sardine Seller's Net of Love [Iwashi Uri Koi Hikiami] Kabuki (1954)
  30. The Blush on the White Hibiscus Blossom: Lady Fuyo and the True Account of the Ōuchi Clan [Fuyō no Tsuyu Ōuchi Jikki] Kabuki (1955)
  31. Rokumeikan [Rokumeikan]. Trans. Hiroaki Sato, 2002 (1956)
  32. Five Modern Noh Plays [Kindai Nogaku-shū]. Trans. Donald Keene (1957)
    1. Komachi at the Gravepost [Sotoba Komachi] (1952)
    2. The Damask Drum [Aya no Tsuzumi] (1951)
    3. The Magic Pillow [Kantan] (1950)
    4. The Waiting Lady with the Fan [Hanjo] (1955)
    5. The Lady Aoi [Aoi no Ue] (1954)
  33. Yuya [Yuya] Noh (1959)
  34. The Blind Young Man [Yoroboshi] Noh (1960)
  35. The Black Lizard [Kuro Tokage]. Trans. Mark Oshima , 2007 (1961)
  36. Madame de Sade [Sado Kōshaku Fujin]. Trans. Donald Keene, 1967 (1965)
    • Madame de Sade: A Play. 1965. Trans. Donald Keene. Photographs by Koichi Yamada. 1967. International Play Series, 1. London: Peter Owen, 1968.
  37. The Decline and Fall of The Suzaku [Suzaku-ke no Metsubō]. Trans. Hiroaki Sato, 2002 (1967)
  38. My Friend Hitler [Waga Tomo Hittorā]. Trans. Hiroaki Sato, 2002 (1968)
  39. A Wonder Tale: The Moonbow or Half Moon (like a Bow and arrow setting up): The Adventures of Tametomo [Chinsetsu Yumiharizuki] Kabuki (1969)
  40. The Terrace of The Leper King [Raiō no Terasu]. Trans. Hiroaki Sato, 2002 (1969)

  41. Non-fiction:

  42. The Cup of Apollo [Aporo no Sakazuki] (1952)
  43. Lectures on Immoral Education [Fudōtoku Kyōiku Kōza] (1958-59)
  44. My Wandering Period [Watashi no Henreki Jidai] (1963)
  45. Sun and Steel: Art, Action and Ritual Death [Taiyō to Tetsu]. Trans. John Bester, 1970 (1965-68)
  46. Way of the Samurai [Hagakure Nyūmon]. [aka On Hagakure]. Trans. Kathryn Sparling, 1977 (1967)
    • On Hagakure: The Samurai Ethic and Modern Japan. 1967. Trans. Kathryn Spurling. A Condor Book. London: Souvenir Press, 1977.
  47. The Defense of the Culture [Bunka Bōei-ron] (1968)
  48. Wang Yangming Thought as Revolutionary Philosophy [Kakumei tetsugaku toshiteno Yomegaku]. Trans. Harris I. Martin, 1971 (1970)

  49. Secondary:

  50. Stokes, Henry Scott. The Life and Death of Yukio Mishima. 1975. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1986.

Like him or loathe him, his work is difficult to ignore. A great deal was made of how 'unrepresentative' he was of contemporary Japanese culture after his dramatic suicide, but I'm not so sure, having read so much more about the pre-war era since then.




Haruki Murakami (2009)


    Murakami Haruki (1949- )

    Novels:

  1. Hear the Wind Sing [Kaze no uta o kike] (1979)
    • Hear the Wind Sing. 1979. Trans. Alfred Birnbaum. 1987. Trilogy of the Rat, 1. Tokyo: Kodansha International, n.d.
    • Included in: Wind Pinball. Two Novels: Hear the Wind Sing / Pinball, 1973. 1979 & 1980. Trans. Ted Goossen. Trilogy of the Rat, 1 & 2. Harvill Secker. London: Vintage Books, 2015.
  2. Pinball, 1973 [1973-nen no pinbōru] (1980)
    • Pinball, 1973. 1980. Trans. Alfred Birnbaum. 1985. Trilogy of the Rat, 2. Tokyo: Kodansha International, n.d.
    • Included in: Wind Pinball. Two Novels: Hear the Wind Sing / Pinball, 1973. 1979 & 1980. Trans. Ted Goossen. Trilogy of the Rat, 1 & 2. Harvill Secker. London: Vintage Books, 2015.
  3. A Wild Sheep Chase [Hitsuji o meguru bōken] (1982)
    • A Wild Sheep Chase. 1982. Trans. Alfred Birnbaum. 1989. Trilogy of the Rat, 3. Vintage Books. London: Random House, 2003.
  4. Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World [Sekai no owari to Hādo-boirudo Wandārando] (1985)
    • Hard-boiled Wonderland and the End of the World. 1985. Trans. Alfred Birnbaum. 1991. Vintage Books. London: Random House, 2003.
  5. Norwegian Wood [Noruwei no mori]. Trans. Alfred Birnbaum, 1989 (1987)
    • Norwegian Wood. 1987. Trans. Jay Rubin. 2 vols. London: The Harvill Press, 2000.
  6. Dance Dance Dance [Dansu dansu dansu] (1988)
    • Dance Dance Dance. 1988. Trans. Alfred Birnbaum. 1994. Vintage Books. London: Random House, 2003.
  7. South of the Border, West of the Sun [Kokkyō no minami, taiyō no nishi] (1992)
    • South of the Border, West of the Sun. 1992. Trans. Philip Gabriel. 1998. Vintage Books. London: Random House, 2003.
  8. The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle [Nejimaki-dori kuronikuru] (1994–1995)
    • The Wind-up Bird Chronicle. 1994-95. Trans. Jay Rubin. London: The Harvill Press, 1999.
  9. Sputnik Sweetheart [Supūtoniku no koibito] (1999)
    • Sputnik Sweetheart. 1999. Trans. Philip Gabriel. 2001. Vintage Books. London: Random House, 2002.
  10. Kafka on the Shore [Umibe no Kafuka] (2002)
    • Kafka on the Shore. 2002. Trans. Philip Gabriel. 2003. Vintage Books. London: Random House, 2005.
  11. After Dark [Afutā dāku] (2004)
    • After Dark. 2004. Trans. Jay Rubin. London: Harvill Secker, 2007.
  12. 1Q84 [Ichi-kyū-hachi-yon] (2009–2010)
    • 1Q84. Books 1 & 2. 2009. Trans. Jay Rubin. Book 3. 2010. Trans. Philip Gabriel. Borzoi Books. Alfred A. Knopf. New York: Random House, Inc., 2011.
  13. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage [Shikisai o motanai Tazaki Tsukuru to, kare no junrei no toshi] (2013)
    • Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage. 2013. Trans. Philip Gabriel. Harvill Secker. London: Random House, 2014.
  14. Killing Commendatore [Kishidanchō-goroshi] (2017)
    • Killing Commendatore. 2017. Trans. Philip Gabriel & Ted Goossen. 2018. Vintage. London: Penguin Random House Group, 2019.

  15. Short stories:

  16. Yume de Aimashou (1981)
  17. The Elephant Vanishes [Zō no shōmetsu]: 17 stories, 1980–1991 (1993)
    • The Elephant Vanishes. Trans. Alfred Birnbaum & Jay Rubin. 1993. Vintage Books. London: Random House, 2003.
  18. After the Quake [Kami no kodomo-tachi wa mina odoru]: 6 stories, 1999–2000 (2000)
    • after the quake. 2000. Trans. Jay Rubin. London: The Harvill Press, 2002.
  19. Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman [Mekurayanagi to nemuru onna]: 24 stories, 1980–2005 (2005)
    • Blind Willow, Sleeping Woman. Trans. Philip Gabriel & Jay Rubin. 2005. London: Harvill Secker, 2006.
  20. The Strange Library [Fushigi na toshokan]: children's novella, revised from his 1982 short story 'Toshokan kitan' (2005)
    • The Strange Library. 2008. Trans. Ted Goossen. Harvill Secker. London: Penguin Random House Company, 2014.
  21. Men Without Women [Onna no inai otokotachi]: 7 stories, 2013–2014. Trans. 2017 (2014)
    • Men Without Women. 2014. Trans. Philip Gabriel & Ted Goossen. 2017. Vintage. London: Penguin Random House Group, 2018.
  22. First Person Singular [Ichininshō Tansū]: 8 stories, 2018–2020. Trans. 2021 (2020)
    • First Person Singular: Stories. 2020. Trans. Philip Gabriel. 2021. Vintage. London: Penguin Random House Group, 2022.


  23. Non-fiction:

  24. Walk, Don't Run [Wōku donto ran: Murakami Ryū vs Murakami Haruki] (1981)
  25. Rain, Burning Sun (Come Rain or Come Shine) [Uten Enten] (1990)
  26. Portrait in Jazz [Pōtoreito in jazu] (1997)
  27. Underground [Andāguraundo] (1997)
  28. Underground 2 [Yakusoku sareta basho de] (1998)
    • Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and the Japanese Psyche. 1997-98. Trans. Alfred Birnbaum & Philip Gabriel. 2000. Vintage Books. London: Random House, 2002.
  29. Portrait in Jazz 2 [Pōtoreito in jazu 2] (2001)
  30. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running [Hashiru koto ni tsuite kataru toki ni boku no kataru koto] (2007)
    • What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. Trans. Philip Gabriel. 2007. London: Harvill Secker, 2008.
  31. It Ain't Got that Swing (If It Don't Mean a Thing) [Imi ga nakereba suingu wa nai] (2008)
  32. Novelist as a profession [Shokugyō to shite no shōsetsuka] (2015)
  33. Absolutely on Music: Conversations with Seiji Ozawa. Trans. 2016 (2011)
  34. Haruki Murakami Goes to Meet Hayao Kawai. Trans. 2016 (1996)
  35. What Is There To Do In Laos? [Raos ni ittai nani ga aru to iun desuka?] (2015)
  36. Abandoning a Cat: Memories of My Father [Neko o suteru chichioya ni tsuite kataru toki] (2019)

  37. Edited:

  38. Birthday Stories [Bāsudei sutōrīzu] (2002)
    • Birthday Stories. 2002. Trans. Jay Rubin. 2004. Vintage. London: Random House, 2006.

  39. Secondary:

  40. Rubin, Jay. Haruki Murakami and the Music of Words. 2003. Vintage Books. London: Random House, 2005.

What can one say about Murakami? His early work is unsettlingly brilliant, I think. I've found it harder to warm to 1Q84 and his later novels, but that may be more my problem than his.




Natsume Sōseki (1912)


    Natsume Kinnosuke [Natsume Sōseki] (1867-1916)

    Fiction:

  1. I Am a Cat [Wagahai wa Neko dearu] (1905)
    • I am a Cat: Three Volumes in One. 1905-07. Trans. Aiko Ito & Graeme Wilson. 1972, 1979, 1986. Tuttle Publishing. Tokyo / Rutland, Vermont / Singapore: Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., 2002.
  2. The Tower of London [Rondon Tō]. Trans. 2004 (1905)
  3. Kairo-kō [Kairo-kō] (1905)
  4. Botchan [Botchan] (1906)
  5. The Three-Cornered World [Kusamakura] [aka The Grass Pillow] (1906)
    • The Three-Cornered World. 1906. Trans. Alan Tuney. 1965. An Arena Book. London: Arrow Books Ltd., 1984.
  6. The Heredity of Taste [Shumi no Iden] (1906)
  7. The 210th Day [Nihyaku-tōka]. Trans. 2011 (1906)
  8. Nowaki [Nowaki]. Trans. 2011 (1907)
  9. The Poppy [Gubijinsō [aka Field Poppy] (1907)
  10. The Miner [Kōfu] (1908)
  11. Ten Nights of Dreams [Yume Jū-ya] (1908)
  12. Sanshirō [Sanshirō] (1908)
  13. And Then [Sorekara] (1909)
  14. The Gate [Mon] (1910)
    • The Gate. 1910. Trans. William F. Sibley. Introduction by Pico Iyer. New York Review Books Classics. New York: nyrb, 2013.

  15. Spring Miscellany [Eijitsu shōhin] [aka Long (Spring) Days, Small Pieces]. Trans. 2005 (1910)
  16. To the Spring Equinox and Beyond [Higan Sugi Made] (1912)
  17. The Wayfarer [Kōjin] (1912)
    • The Wayfarer [Kōjin]. 1912-13. Trans. Beongcheon Yu. Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1967.
  18. Kokoro [Kokoro] (1914)
    • Kokoro. 1914. Trans. Ineko Kondo. 1941. Tokyo: Kenkyusha, 1970.
    • Kokoro. 1914. Trans. Meredith McKinney. Penguin Classics. London: Penguin, 2010.
  19. Grass on the Wayside [Michikusa] (1915)
  20. Inside My Glass Doors [Garasu Do no Uchi]. Trans. 2002 (1915)
  21. Light and Darkness [Meian] (1916)

  22. Non-fiction:

  23. Recollections [Omoidasu Koto nado] [aka Random Memories]. Trans. Maria Flutsch, 1997 (1910)
  24. My Individualism [Watakushi no Kojin Shugi] (1914)

I am a Cat is certainly a classic. For the rest, I'm looking forward to reading more of his work over time.




Kenzaburō Ōe (2012)


    Ōe Kenzaburō (1935- )

    Novels:

  1. Nip the Buds, Shoot the Kids [Memushiri kouchi] (1958)
    • Nip the Buds Shoot the Kids. 1958. Trans. Paul St John Mackintosh & Maki Sugiyama. 1995. London: Picador, 1996.
  2. Seventeen [Sevuntīn]. Trans. Luk Van Haute (1961)
  3. Cry [Sakebigoe] (1963)
  4. A Personal Matter [Kojinteki na taiken]. Trans. John Nathan (1964)
  5. The Silent Cry [Man'en gan'nen no futtobōru] [aka Football in the first year of the Manen era (AD 1860)] (1967)
    • The Silent Cry. 1967. Trans. John Bester. 1974. Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd., 1981.
  6. Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness [Warera no kyōki wo ikinobiru michi wo oshieyo]. Trans. 1977 (1969)
  7. The Day He Himself Shall Wipe My Tears Away in Teach Us to Outgrow Our Madness [Mizukara waga namida wo nuguitamau hi]. Trans. 1977 (1972)
  8. The Flood Invades My Spirit [Kōzui wa waga tamashii ni oyobi] (1973)
  9. The Pinch Runner Memorandum [Pinchi ran'nā chōsho]. Trans. Michiko N. Wilson (1976)
  10. The Game of Contemporaneity [Dojidai gemu] (1979)
  11. Sometimes the Heart of the Turtle [Gendai gemu] (1980)
  12. Women Listening to the "Rain Tree" [Rein tsurī wo kiku on'natachi] (1982)
  13. Rouse Up, O Young Men of the New Age! [Atarashii hito yo, mezame yo]. Trans. John Nathan (1983)
  14. How Do We Kill the Tree? [Ikani ki wo korosu ka] (1984)
  15. Bitten by the Hippopotamus [Kaba ni kamareru] (1985)
  16. M/T and the Narrative About the Marvels of the Forest [M/T to mori no fushigi no monogatari] (1986)
  17. Letters for Nostalgic Years [Natsukashī tosi eno tegami] (1987)
  18. The Army of Quilp [Kirupu no gundan] (1988)
  19. An Echo of Heaven [Jinsei no shinseki] [aka Relatives of life]. Trans. Margaret Mitsutani (1989)
  20. The Tower of Treatment [Chiryou tou] (1990)
  21. A Quiet Life [Shizuka-na seikatsu]. Trans. Kunioki Yanagishita & William Wetherall (1990)
  22. The Tower of Treatment and the Planet [Chiryou tou wakusei] (1991)
  23. The Time that I Was Really Young [Boku ga hontou ni wakakatta koro] (1992)
  24. Until the Savior Gets Socked ['Sukuinushi' ga nagurareru made] The Flaming Green Tree Trilogy I [Moeagaru midori no ki dai ichi bu](1993)
  25. Vacillating [Yureugoku (Vashirēshon)] The Flaming Green Tree Trilogy II [Moeagaru midori no ki dai ni bu](1994)
  26. On the Great Day [Ōinaru hi ni] The Flaming Green Tree Trilogy III [Moeagaru midori no ki dai san bu] (1995)
  27. Somersault [Chūgaeri] (1999)
    • Somersault. 1999. Trans. Philip Gabriel. New York: Grove Press, 2003.
  28. The Changeling [Torikae ko (Chenjiringu)]. Trans. Deborah Boehm (2000)
  29. The Infant with a Melancholic Face [Ureigao no dōji] (2002)
  30. The Children of 200 Years [Nihyaku nen no kodomo] (2003)
  31. Farewell, My Books! [Sayōnara, watashi no hon yo!] (2005)
  32. The Beautiful Annabel Lee was Chilled and Killed [Routashi Anaberu rī souke dachitu mimakaritu] (2007)
  33. Death by Water [Suishi]. Trans. Deborah Boehm (2009)
  34. In Late Style [Bannen Youshiki shū (In Reito Sutairu)] (2013)

  35. Short Stories:

  36. The Strange Work [Kimyou na shigoto] (1957)
  37. Lavish Are The Dead [Shisha no ogori] (1957)
  38. Someone Else's Feet [Tanin no ashi] (1957)
  39. The Catch [Shiiku]. Trans. 1981 (1957)
  40. Leap before you look [Miru mae ni tobe] (1958)
  41. Sexual Humans [Seiteki Ningen] [aka J]. Trans. Luk Van Haute (1963)
  42. Aghwee the Sky Monster [Sora no kaibutsu Aguī] (1964)

  43. Non-fiction:

  44. The Solemn Rope-walking [Genshuku na tsunawatari] (1964)
  45. Hiroshima Notes [Hiroshima noto]. Trans. David L. Swain, Toshi Yonezawa, 1965 (1964)
  46. Continuous will [Jizoku suru kokorozashi] (1968)
  47. A Human Being as a fragile article [Kowaremono toshiteno ningen] (1970)
  48. Imagination of the Atomic Age [Kakujidai no sozouryoku] (1970)
  49. Okinawa Notes [Okinawa nōto] (1970)
  50. The Day Whales Vanish [Kujira no shimetsu suru hi] (1972)
  51. The Post-war Times as Contemporaries [Doujidai toshiteno sengo] (1973)
  52. 'The Last Novel' ['Saigo no syousetu'] (1988)
  53. For the New Literature [Atarashii bungaku no tame ni] (1988)
  54. Japan, the Ambiguous, and Myself: The Nobel Prize Speech and Other Lectures [Aimai na Nihon no watashi] (1995)
  55. A Healing Family [Kaifuku suru kazoku]. Trans. Stephen Snyder. Illustrated by Yukari Oe (1995)
  56. [with Yukari Oe] Under the "Tree of Mine" ['Jibun no ki' no shita de] (2001)
  57. [with Yukari Oe] Toward the "New Man" ['Atarashii hito' no hou he] (2003)

I can't claim to know too much about Oe. He sounds like one of the most interesting contemporary Japanese novelists, though.


    Tanizaki Jun'ichirō (1886-1965)

    Novels & Novellas:

  1. Devils in Daylight [Hakuchū Kigo]. Trans. J. Keith Vincent, 2017 (1918)
  2. Naomi [Chijin no ai]. [aka A Fool's Love] (1924)
    • Naomi. 1924. Trans. Anthony H. Chambers. 1986. London: Pavanne, 1987.
  3. In Black and White. Trans. Phyllis I. Lyons, 2018 (1928)
  4. Quicksand [Manji] (1928-30)
    • Quicksand. 1928-30. Trans. Howard Hibbett. London: Vintage, 1994.
  5. Some Prefer Nettles [Tade kuu mushi] (1929)
    • Some Prefer Nettles. 1928. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. 1956. London: Secker & Warburg, 1983.
    • Some Prefer Nettles. 1928. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. 1956. Harmondsworth: Penguin, 1970.
    • Included in Some Prefer Nettles / The Secret History of the Lord of Musashi / Arrowroot. 1928, 1935, 1932. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker & Anthony H. Chambers, 1982. London: Picador, 1985.
  6. Arrowroot [Yoshino kuzu] (1931)
    • Included in Some Prefer Nettles / The Secret History of the Lord of Musashi / Arrowroot. 1928, 1935, 1932. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker & Anthony H. Chambers, 1982. London: Picador, 1985.
  7. Ashikari [Ashikari] (1932)
    • Included in Ashikari and the Story of Shunkin: Modern Japanese Novels. 1932 & 1933. Trans. Roy Humpherson & Hajime Okita. 1936. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, Publishers, 1970.
    • Included in The Reed Cutter and Captain Shigemoto's Mother: Two Novellas. 1932 & 1949. Trans. Anthony H. Chambers. 1994. Vintage International. Vintage Books. New York: Random House, Inc., 1995.
  8. The Story of Shunkin [Shunkinshō] (1933)
    • Included in Ashikari and the Story of Shunkin: Modern Japanese Novels. 1932 & 1933. Trans. Roy Humpherson & Hajime Okita. 1936. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, Publishers, 1970.
  9. The Secret History of the Lord of Musashi [Bushukō hiwa] (1935)
    • Included in Some Prefer Nettles / The Secret History of the Lord of Musashi / Arrowroot. 1928, 1935, 1932. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker & Anthony H. Chambers, 1982. London: Picador, 1985.
  10. Captain Shigemoto's Mother [Shōshō Shigemoto no haha] (1949)
    • Included in The Reed Cutter and Captain Shigemoto's Mother: Two Novellas. 1932 & 1949. Trans. Anthony H. Chambers. 1994. Vintage International. Vintage Books. New York: Random House, Inc., 1995.
  11. A Cat, a Man, and Two Women [Neko to Shōzō to futari no onna] (1936)
    • A Cat, A Man, and Two Women: Stories. 1936, 1918, 1925-36. Trans. Paul McCarthy. 1990. Tokyo: Kodansha International Ltd., 1991.
  12. The Makioka Sisters [Sasameyuki] (1943-48)
    • The Makioka Sisters. 1948. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. 1957. London: Secker & Warburg, 1983.
    • The Makioka Sisters. 1948. Trans. Edward G. Seidensticker. 1957. London: Picador, 1983.
  13. The Key [Kagi] (1956)
    • The Key. Trans. Howard Hibbett. 1961. London: Panther Modern Fiction, 1968.
  14. Diary of a Mad Old Man [Fūten rōjin nikki] (1961)
    • [Diary of a Mad Old Man. 1961. Trans. Howard Hibbett. Borzoi Books. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1965.]
    • Diary of a Mad Old Man. 1961. Trans. Howard Hibbett. 1965. Vintage International. New York: Random House, Inc., 1991.
  15. The Maids. Trans. by Michael P. Cronin, 2017 (1962-63)

  16. Stories:

  17. Gold and Silver [Kin to Gin] (1918)
  18. Fumiko's Feet [Fumiko no ashi] (1919)
  19. Seven Japanese Tales. Trans. Howard Hibbett (1963)
    1. A Portrait of Shunkin [Shunkinshō] (1933)
    2. Terror [Kyōfu] (1913)
    3. The Bridge of Dreams [Yume no ukihashi] (1959)
    4. The Tattooer [Shisei] (1910)
    5. The Thief [Watakushi] (1921)
    6. Aguri [Aoi hana] (1922)
    7. A Blind Man's Tale [>Momoku monogatari] (1931)
    • Seven Japanese Tales. Trans. Howard Hibbett. 1963. A Berkley Medallion Book. New York: Berkley Publishing Corporation, 1970.
  20. The Gourmet Club: A Sextet. Trans. Anthony H. Chambers and Paul McCarthy (2001)
    1. The Children
    2. The Secret
    3. The Two Acolytes
    4. The Gourmet Club
    5. Mr. Bluemound [Aozukashi no hanashi] (1926)
    6. Manganese Dioxide Dreams
    • The Gourmet Club: A Sextet. Trans. Anthony H. Chambers & Paul McCarthy. Tokyo: Kodansha International, 2001.
  21. Red Roofs and Other Stories. Trans. Anthony H. Chambers and Paul McCarthy (2016)
    1. The Strange Case of Tomoda and Matsunaga [Tomoda to Matsunaga no hanashi] (1926)
    2. A Night in Qinhuai [Shinwai no yo] (1919)
    3. The Magician [Majutsushi] (1917)
    4. Red Roofs [Akai yane] (1925)
  22. The Jester. Trans. Howard Hibbett. In A Tokyo Anthology: Literature from Japan’s Modern Metropolis, 1850-1915. Ed. Sumie Jones & Charles S. Inouye (2017)
  23. Longing and Other Stories. Trans. Anthony H. Chambers and Paul McCarthy (2022)
    1. Longing
    2. Sorrows of a Heretic
    3. The Story of an Unhappy Mother

  24. Non-fiction:

  25. In Praise of Shadows [In'ei raisan]. Trans. Thomas J. Harper and Edward G. Seidensticker, 1977 (1933)
  26. Childhood Years: A Memoir [Yōshō jidai] (1955-56)
    • Childhood Years: A Memoir. 1955-56. Trans. Paul McCarthy. 1990. London: Flamingo, 1991.

Ever since I first read The Makioka Sisters, Tanizaki has been my favourite among modern Japanese novelists. Not only this, but his more perverse works, such as The Secret History of the Lord of Musashi, also hold a strong appeal. I suppose, in essence, it's the fact that he has a 'modern' and a 'traditional' self - which he himself associated with his early residence in Tokyo, then, later on, Kyoto - both of which continue to manifest in his fiction throughout his career.




Banana Yoshimoto (1915)


    Yoshimoto Mahoko ['Banana Yoshimoto'] (1964- )

    Novels:

  1. Moonlight Shadow. Trans. 1993 (1986)
  2. Kitchen. Trans. 1993 (1988)
  3. Transient/Sanctuary (1988)
  4. Sad premonition (1988)
  5. Goodbye Tsugumi. Trans. 2002 (1989)
  6. Asleep. Trans. 2000 (1989)
  7. N.P. Trans. 1994 (1990)
    • N.P. 1990. Trans. Ann Sherif. Tuttle Publishing. London: Faber, 1994.
  8. Lizard. Trans. 1995 (1993)
  9. Amrita. Trans. 1997 (1994)
  10. Marika's lengthy night: dreamlog in Bali (1994)
  11. Hachiko's last lover (1994)
  12. Sly. Trans. 1996 (1996)
  13. Honeymoon (1997)
  14. Hardboiled & Hard Luck. Trans. 2005 (1999)
  15. Occult: A Collection of essays selected by the author 1 (2000)
  16. Love: A Collection of essays selected by the author 2 (2000)
  17. Death: A Collection of essays selected by the author 3 (2001)
  18. Life: A Collection of essays selected by the author 4 (2001)
  19. The body knows everything (2000)
  20. Furin to Nanbei (Adultery and South America) (2000)
  21. Daisy's Life (2000)
  22. Kingdoms, first instalment, Andromeda Heights (2002)
  23. Rainbow (2002)
  24. Argentine Hag. Drawings and pictures by Yoshitomo Nara. Trans. 2002 (2002)
  25. Cloak of feathers (2003)
  26. Memories of a dead end (2003)
  27. Don't worry, be happy (2004)
  28. High and dry (first love) (2004)
  29. Lid of the sea (2004)
  30. Kingdoms, second instalment, the shadow of lost things, and ensuing magic (2004)
  31. Kingdoms, third instalment, the secret flower garden (2005)
  32. The Lake. Trans. 2010 (2005)
  33. Dolphin or Are you there? (2006)
  34. Salamander or The small shadow (2006)
  35. Chie and I (2007)
  36. Hawaii dreaming (2007)
  37. South point (2008)
  38. About her or About my girlfriend (2008)
  39. Moshi-Moshi: A Novel. Trans. 2016 (2010)
  40. The acorn sisters (2010)
  41. Another world, Kingdoms, fourth instalment (2010)
  42. Sizzle sizzle (2010)
  43. Sweet hereafter (2011)
  44. A night with Saki and friends (2013)
  45. Hostess bar stumble (2013)
  46. Shall We Love? (2013)
  47. Take an afternoon nap on a bed of flowers (2013)
  48. Birds (2014)
  49. Circus night (2015)
  50. Funafuna Funabashi (2015)

Nothing if not prolific, since the breakaway success of Kitchen in 1993, less and less of her work has actually been translated into English.







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