Japanese Novel: Exploring Japan’s literary universe is like plunging down a rabbit hole of unknown treasures. The country has produced some of the most innovative and prolific novelists since the introduction of the printed word. Given that it made the world’s first novel, The Tale of Genji, written by female novelist Murasaki Shikibu in the 11th century, Japan’s love affair with literature is unsurprising. Many of Japan’s most extraordinary contemporary and historical Japanese novels have been translated into English, which is fortunate for non-Japanese speakers.
Norwegian Wood – Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami, one of the most prominent literary figures in Japan and the English-speaking world and beyond, will go down in chronology as one of the best writers of our time. Murakami has released and continues to create bestsellers that often blend the mundane with a bizarre undercurrent throughout his distinguished career. Murakami is best known for his novel Norwegian Wood, published in 1987. Norwegian Wood is a coming-of-age story narrated by protagonist Toru Watanabe about his clumsy college-days entry into the realm of first loves and the confusion and grief they bring. The novel’s title is an allusion to The Beatles’ song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)” – a track frequently referenced as Naoko, Watanabe’s emotionally unstable love interest’s favorite song.
The Thief – Fuminori Nakamura
Japan is one of the securest countries globally regarding minor crime. When running to the bathroom or ordering coffee, café patrons have no qualms about leaving their laptops and wallets on the table; however, Fuminori Nakamura’s 2009 novel The Thief will make you reconsider leaving that unattended bag. The fictional account of one of Japan’s smoothest pickpockets, a man who, invisible in his slick suit, slides in and out of Tokyo crowds, capturing wallets from strangers with undetectable flair, is the Kenzaburo Oe Prize-winning novel. After becoming a little too ambitious and accepting an appealing job offer, the thief eventually finds himself in a trap that even the smoothest burglar in the world can’t get out of.
Coin Locker Babies – Ryu Murakami
Ryu Murakami, also known as the ‘other Murakami,’ is a contemporary writer considered one of the country’s literary heavyweights. Given the impact his tough, honest, and bluntly brutal works have had on the modern academic world, the term is pretty unfair. Coin Locker Babies, published in 1980, is a futuristic dystopian tale in the Murakami style that explores the darker side of human nature. The story follows the journey of two newborn boys, Hashi and Kiku, who were abandoned at birth in nearby railroad lockers and grew up in an orphanage. The two join forces in the hopes of exacting vengeance on the ladies who left them.
Silence – Shusaku Endo
Since the commencement of the country’s literary centuries, Japan’s rich Buddhist past has been featured in many works. Shusaku Endo’s novel Silence, published in 1966, illuminates the often bleak yet unquestionably fascinating relationship between Japan and Christianity. Silence follows the travels of the Jesuit priest, Father Sebastian Rodrigues, during the 17th century, when believers were forced to hide their faith for fear of persecution or even death. Endo’s excellent piece of historical fiction, a realistic look at the life of Japan’s Kakure Kirishitan (“Hidden Christians”), is one of the most accessible windows into this tragic period of Japanese history.
I Am a Cat – Soseki Natsume
I Am a Cat is a satirical novel published between 1905 and 1906 and is a must-read for history buffs. It was willingly printed in the academic journal Hototogisu as ten short episodes. Soseki Natsume never intended to write a whole novel but felt compelled after the series’ remarkable success. The book was a biting political critique of the time (the Meiji era) recounted through the eyes of an unloved stray cat who spent his days exploring the city and spying on the humans who lived there. Natsume studied Chinese philosophy before writing the narrative, and ideals influenced by his studies are woven throughout the plot. It has remained one of Japan’s most cherished works of literature since its release in the early 1900s.
This release is articulated by Prittle Prattle News in the form of an authored article.
