Reading Japan: Book List
As part of my personal Reading Japan Project, I'm keeping track of the books I read that have a connection with Japan, either by a Japanese author, or with characters, set in, or relating to Japan.
The following is a list of the Japan-related books I have read since starting this blog in January 2006.
Clicking on a title will take you to my review.
Link to this list available in the sidebar.
NF = Non-Fiction, all other titles are fiction.
(Books that I have acquired but have not read yet can be found in my Reading Japan: TBR List).
JAPANESE AUTHORS
Akutagawa, Ryunosuke - Rashomon and other stories
CLAMP - xxxHolic, vol. 1 (manga)
Hino, Matsuri - Vampire Knight, v. 1-3 (manga)
Ibuse, Masuji - Black Rain (based on true accounts)
Ichikawa, Takuji - Be With You
Ishiguro, Kazuo - An Artist of the Floating World (British, written in English)
Iwasaki, Mineko - Geisha of Gion (NF)
Kadohata, Cynthia - Kira-Kira (American of Japanese descent, written in English)
Kanehara, Hitomi - Snakes & Earrings
Katayama, Kyoichi - Socrates in Love
Kawabata, Yasunari - Snow Country
Kawabata, Yasunari - The Dancing Girl of Izu and other stories
Kawakami, Sumie - Goodbye Madame Butterfly: Sex, Marriage and the Modern Japanese Woman (NF)
Kirino, Natsuo - Out
Kirino, Natsuo - Grotesque
Komomo (& Naoyuki Ogino) - A Geisha's Journey: My Life as a Kyoto Apprentice (NF)
Miyabe, Miyuki - All She Was Worth
Mori, Kaoru - Emma, vol. 1 (manga)
Mori, Kaoru - Emma, vols. 2 - 7 (manga)
Mori, Kaoru - Emma, vol. 8 (manga)
Mori, Kyoko - Polite Lies: On Being a Woman Caught Between Cultures (Japanese American, written in English)
Murakami, Haruki - after the quake
Murakami, Haruki - The Elephant Vanishes
Murakami, Haruki - Kafka on the Shore
Murakami, Haruki - After Dark
Murakami, Ryu - In the Miso Soup
Shonagon, Sei - The Pillow Book
Suzuki, D.T. - Zen Buddhism: Selected Writings (NF)
Tanizaki, Junichiro - The Makioka Sisters
Tawada, Yoko - The Bridegroom was a Dog
Tsutsui, Yasutaka - Paprika
Ueda, Akinari - Tales of Moonlight and Rain
Urasawa, Naoki - Monster, vol. 1 (manga)
Watanabe, Jun'ichi - Beyond the Blossoming Fields
Yamada, Taichi - Strangers
Yoshimoto, Banana - Kitchen
NON-JAPANESE AUTHORS (ABOUT/SET IN JAPAN)
Bock, Dennis - The Ash Garden
Coerr, Eleanor - Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes
Davis-Gardner, Angela - Plum Wine
Ferguson, Will - Hitching Rides with Buddha (travel memoir)
Golden, Arthur - Memoirs of a Geisha
Hearn, Lafcadio - Kwaidan: Ghost Stories and Strange Tales of Old Japan
Hills, Ben - Princess Masako: Prisoner of the Chrysanthemum Throne (NF)
Joseph, Matt - Clouds Over Mountains
Massey, Sujata - Zen Attitude (Rei Shimura mystery series)
Massey, Sujata - The Flower Master
Massey, Sujata - The Floating Girl
Massey, Sujata - The Bride's Kimono
Nothomb, Amélie - The Character of Rain
Rutledge, Bruce (editor) - Kuhaku & Other Accounts from Japan (essays, stories)
Williamson, Kate T. - A Year in Japan (NF)
Zielenziger, Michael - Shutting Out the Sun: How Japan Created Its Own Lost Generation (NF)
18 witty remarks:
Did you know that Chin Music Press has another title out on Japanese culture?
"Goodbye Madame Butterfly" by Sumie Kawakami.
http://goodbyemadamebutterfly.com/
Teresa- No I didn't. Thanks for letting me know. I'll definitely check it out. :)
The Makioka Sisters is on its way to my house, courtesy of Paperback Swap and on your recommendation. Snakes and Earrings . . . couldn't get through it; that book was far too disturbing for me. I actually dug the receipt out of the trash and returned it to the store.
Nancy- Snakes and Earrings was pretty disturbing. Not really a world I know anything about thankfully. I hope you enjoy The Makioka Sisters whenever you get to it.
So glad I came across this list of Japanese literature - Thank you for sharing.
Am in Tokyo right now, was searching for good books set in Japan. Enjoyed reading your posts on Japan and reviews and also the links from your blog, especially the one on Japanese folklore.
Arigato Gozaimasu!
A Reader from India- There are of course many many more books that I haven't read yet but I'm glad this small list gave you someplace to start.
Hope you enjoy your time in Tokyo.
Hi, I have made my list of the reading Japan challenge, when you next choose a Japanese Novel let me know and I will read it along with you. I have made notes of the ones you have allready read, a yummy collection :)
Madeleine- I just had a look at your list. I see you've already read 'Kafka on the Shore' by Murakami. I'm looking forward to reading it this year. I'll let you know what I pick up next. :)
I love Japanese literature too. Great list :)
mee- And I hope the list will keep getting longer. :)
I love your long list! Have started reading Japanese novels and mysteries set in Japan and reviewed several of them.
This is very nice!
Book Bird Dog - I hope to keep adding to this list as I read more Japanese literature. There are so many more that I want to read!
What a great idea. I love your button, may I use it for a list of my own reading?
Sandra - Sure, you can use the button if you like. I look forward to seeing a list of the Japanese books you've read.
Wow this is a great list. Thanks. It's a pretty comprehensive site you have here :)
Mark David - Thanks. I'm looking forward to reading more Japanese lit and adding more titles to the list.
Hi Nat:D
I just reviewed COIN LOCKER BABIES for Bellezza's challenge and reading Japan.
http://www.madeleineatbooksandphotos.com/2009/09/coin-locker-babies-by-ryu-murakamy.html
Hi Sylvie. Thanks for letting me know. I've only read one book by Ryu Murakami so far, In the Miso Soup, but I'm very interested to know what you thought of this one.
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