Books to read about Japan
Mar 23rd, 2012, 11:34 AM
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Books to read about Japan
We are going to spend the summer in the Kansai area. SInce I have only twice visited Japan for the briefest of stays in predictable places -- Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka (with daytrips to Kobe and Nara) -- I would like to read as much as possible before we go. In English.
Research on old threads has got me started. Thanks to tahl for recommending LEARNING TO BOW and to Don for suggesting UNTANGLING MY CHOPSTICKS. Both were fun to read and instructive.
Moving along, I am wondering whether to follow the James Clavell road deep into SHOGUN (etc.) territory or whether to read a variety of shorter books. Also, do folks still recommend Booth's ROADS TO SATA, or only read in tandem with Ferguson's HITCHING RIDES WITH BUDDHA?
There is only so much reading time between now and June. Thanks for helping me cull the list. I am interested in memoirs, fiction, non-fiction...anything that those of you who are knowledgeable about Japan have loved or can vouch for.
Research on old threads has got me started. Thanks to tahl for recommending LEARNING TO BOW and to Don for suggesting UNTANGLING MY CHOPSTICKS. Both were fun to read and instructive.
Moving along, I am wondering whether to follow the James Clavell road deep into SHOGUN (etc.) territory or whether to read a variety of shorter books. Also, do folks still recommend Booth's ROADS TO SATA, or only read in tandem with Ferguson's HITCHING RIDES WITH BUDDHA?
There is only so much reading time between now and June. Thanks for helping me cull the list. I am interested in memoirs, fiction, non-fiction...anything that those of you who are knowledgeable about Japan have loved or can vouch for.
Mar 23rd, 2012, 04:23 PM
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Aloha marya,
"Samurai William The Englishman Who Opened the East " by Giles Milton is a true to life account of the first Englishman in Japan and a favorite. If you want history this is it.
A book in the same mode is Shogun which I have read three times but as you mention time is a factor
Enjoy your time in Kansai!
Aloha!
"Samurai William The Englishman Who Opened the East " by Giles Milton is a true to life account of the first Englishman in Japan and a favorite. If you want history this is it.
A book in the same mode is Shogun which I have read three times but as you mention time is a factor
Enjoy your time in Kansai!
Aloha!
Mar 23rd, 2012, 08:05 PM
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I enjoyed Clavell's Shogun MUCH more than I expected, and found it absorbing enough to pull me along much more rapidly than I expected for a book of its length. (But it was NOT a quick read!)
I'm also glad I read Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha, even though (or perhaps in part because) my reactions to it were quite mixed.
Enjoy!
I'm also glad I read Arthur Golden's Memoirs of a Geisha, even though (or perhaps in part because) my reactions to it were quite mixed.
Enjoy!
Mar 23rd, 2012, 09:14 PM
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Hi Marya, There are so many good books written about Japan, by western writers and by Japanese writing in English or in translation. The one that keeps rising to the top of my memory is "Pictures From the Water Trade." Kind of a coming of age travel story. I'm not sure that it's still in print, though.
I'm also very fond of the short stories of Mary Yukari Waters.
Shogun is a good airplane book. The writing is, at times, painful and the historical facts, at times, questionable, but it's a great story and an undeniable page-turner.
After you've done some reading, come back and tell us what you liked.
I'm also very fond of the short stories of Mary Yukari Waters.
Shogun is a good airplane book. The writing is, at times, painful and the historical facts, at times, questionable, but it's a great story and an undeniable page-turner.
After you've done some reading, come back and tell us what you liked.
Mar 23rd, 2012, 10:11 PM
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Speaking of James Calvell and Shogun reminds me of a conversation with GPanda about our favorite authors the last time we saw each other. He was a lover of the classics and when Andy asked me who my favorite author was I mentioned James Clavell and particularly his stories about Asia which start with Shogun and intertwine and finally after Taipan, Noble House, King Rat, etc. ends up with Whirlwind in 1980's Iran.
Andy in typical Andy fashion of course scoffed at my mention of Clavell and bluntly told me that the Dogster had more writing talent in his index finger than Clavell ever dreamed of and was extremely passionate of that fact......I couldn't or wouldn't argue with his choice at that time. Andy really loved the Dog's writing and his lifestyle....called him exceptionally talented.....
Just something I will always think of when Clavell and Shogun is mentioned....
Aloha!
BTW the first time I read Shogun I devoured it in a week.
Hai Anjinsan!!
Andy in typical Andy fashion of course scoffed at my mention of Clavell and bluntly told me that the Dogster had more writing talent in his index finger than Clavell ever dreamed of and was extremely passionate of that fact......I couldn't or wouldn't argue with his choice at that time. Andy really loved the Dog's writing and his lifestyle....called him exceptionally talented.....
Just something I will always think of when Clavell and Shogun is mentioned....
Aloha!
BTW the first time I read Shogun I devoured it in a week.
Hai Anjinsan!!
Mar 24th, 2012, 01:12 AM
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Hi Marya: There are a couple of classic books you might be interested in, if you haven't heard of or read these already. One is the tale of Genji, set in 11th Century Japan but published I think in the 1800s. The first book in Japan by a woman author. A long read but fascinating story of court intrigue and illicit love.
Another one is the 47 Ronin, about the sacrifice of former Samurai to avenge their master's death in the 1700s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forty-seven_Ronin
Another one, written in modern times by the wife of the first Ambassador to Japan from the US, Haru Reishauer, is Samurai and Silk. It's the biography of her two grandparents, one who was a minister in the Meiji era, and the other who was the first silk trader from Japan to the US. An easy read and fascinating look at Japan at the very beginnings of their entry into the modern era.
http://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Silk-J.../dp/067478801X
Another one is the 47 Ronin, about the sacrifice of former Samurai to avenge their master's death in the 1700s.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forty-seven_Ronin
Another one, written in modern times by the wife of the first Ambassador to Japan from the US, Haru Reishauer, is Samurai and Silk. It's the biography of her two grandparents, one who was a minister in the Meiji era, and the other who was the first silk trader from Japan to the US. An easy read and fascinating look at Japan at the very beginnings of their entry into the modern era.
http://www.amazon.com/Samurai-Silk-J.../dp/067478801X
Mar 24th, 2012, 08:03 AM
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This is so helpful and, ht, your anecdote about Andy's literary opinion of Clavell is priceless.
Marmot, kja & ht, you have given me precisely the perspective on SHOGUN that I sought. I am going to start SHOGUN forewarned by all of you (including Andy), and will either get swept up in the story or cast it aside in favor of Samurai William the Englishman's tale.
Kja, I too had mixed feelings about Golden's book but was glad to have read it. I also enjoyed the film version, particularly Michelle Yeoh's performance.
I have ordered these books through inter-library loan -- PICTURES FROM THE WATER TRADE is fortunately available that way. SAMURAI AND SILK is really calling to me.
Thank you for this treasure trove. I will indeed report back. It has been so nice to hear from the Indonesia set in these responses.
Marmot, kja & ht, you have given me precisely the perspective on SHOGUN that I sought. I am going to start SHOGUN forewarned by all of you (including Andy), and will either get swept up in the story or cast it aside in favor of Samurai William the Englishman's tale.
Kja, I too had mixed feelings about Golden's book but was glad to have read it. I also enjoyed the film version, particularly Michelle Yeoh's performance.
I have ordered these books through inter-library loan -- PICTURES FROM THE WATER TRADE is fortunately available that way. SAMURAI AND SILK is really calling to me.
Thank you for this treasure trove. I will indeed report back. It has been so nice to hear from the Indonesia set in these responses.
Mar 24th, 2012, 10:01 AM
#8
I recomend Geisha by Liza Dalby. It describes the history, customs, traditions, and lives of geisha, and her experience of becoming a geisha in the Pontocho hanamachi in Kyoto. The chapters cover different subjects, aspects of geisha life and history. You can read it cover to cover or you can bounce around between chapters - a good book for re-reading.
A very similar book is Women of the Pleasure Quarters: The Secret History of the Geisha. It covers a lot of the same ground as Dalby, but from a different, Gion, perspective. If you enjoyed reading and re-reading Dalby's book and want more then this could be next.
A very similar book is Women of the Pleasure Quarters: The Secret History of the Geisha. It covers a lot of the same ground as Dalby, but from a different, Gion, perspective. If you enjoyed reading and re-reading Dalby's book and want more then this could be next.
Mar 24th, 2012, 11:35 AM
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The Tale of Genji, mentioned above, is by some measures the world's first novel, and one of the greatest: http://www.taleofgenji.org/
Murusaki Shikibu is said to have begun writing it in August 1004 at Ishiyama-dera, which is north of Kyoto, south of Lake Biwa, and well worth a visit: http://www.taleofgenji.org/ishiyama.html
A good introduction to the Heian period is The World of the Shining Prince by Ivan Morris.
Murusaki Shikibu is said to have begun writing it in August 1004 at Ishiyama-dera, which is north of Kyoto, south of Lake Biwa, and well worth a visit: http://www.taleofgenji.org/ishiyama.html
A good introduction to the Heian period is The World of the Shining Prince by Ivan Morris.
Mar 24th, 2012, 06:32 PM
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I think I have James Clavell's "Shogun" for getting me started with my Japan obsession. It's the reason we included Japan on the itinerary of (gasp - a package tour) which included Taiwan and Hong Kong. In five days we visited Kyoto, Ise, Hakone, Tokyo and Nikko!
I wasn't sure if you meant fiction or non-fiction and how academic you wanted to get.
I second the recommendation of Haruki Murakami; I enjoyed Kafka by the Shore. Kazuo Ishiguro is another "An Artist of the Floating World."
Another book about the history and life of the geisha is "Geisha- the secret history of a vanishing world" by Lesley Downer. Lesley has written many books about Japan. here's her website
http://www.lesleydowner.com/books/
Another is by Lian Hearn. "Across the Nightingale Floor" is the first of a trilogy.
Then there are the works of Lafcadio Hearn.
My latest acquisition is a very old Penguin edition of "The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon" - saving for the plane on my forthcoming trip.
Happy reading
I wasn't sure if you meant fiction or non-fiction and how academic you wanted to get.
I second the recommendation of Haruki Murakami; I enjoyed Kafka by the Shore. Kazuo Ishiguro is another "An Artist of the Floating World."
Another book about the history and life of the geisha is "Geisha- the secret history of a vanishing world" by Lesley Downer. Lesley has written many books about Japan. here's her website
http://www.lesleydowner.com/books/
Another is by Lian Hearn. "Across the Nightingale Floor" is the first of a trilogy.
Then there are the works of Lafcadio Hearn.
My latest acquisition is a very old Penguin edition of "The Pillow Book of Sei Shonagon" - saving for the plane on my forthcoming trip.
Happy reading
Apr 1st, 2012, 11:48 AM
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This is a slightly different angle on your book list - but I would highly recommend the following two non-fiction books. "Tokyo Megacity" and "Traditional Japanese Architecture" by Ben Simmons with Donald Richie's text on the first book and Mira Locher on the second. Ben's photos are incredible and I have also enjoyed reading Donald Richie's other books on Japan. While the architecture book might look like a textbook on first glance - it is enlightening for anyone really interested in understanding the traditional building styles of Japan. Both books are a good addition to anyone's Japan bookshelf. From what I hear, Ben is working on a Kyoto book with Judith Clancy that will be out next year sometime.
Apr 1st, 2012, 12:49 PM
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Oh,good -- more thoughtful suggestions about what to read. My stack of books is growing as is my appetite for this reading. Even more suggestions welcome.
Meanwhile, the pot boils over and happily so. I am 200 pages into SHOGUN and periodically curse the writing as vigorously as Pilot Blackthorne cusses out the Spaniards, Portuguese, and Japanese, but I am completely swept up in the story and will definitely stay with it.
Arigato gozaimasu.
Meanwhile, the pot boils over and happily so. I am 200 pages into SHOGUN and periodically curse the writing as vigorously as Pilot Blackthorne cusses out the Spaniards, Portuguese, and Japanese, but I am completely swept up in the story and will definitely stay with it.
Arigato gozaimasu.
Apr 2nd, 2012, 03:06 AM
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Amelie Nothomb's Fear and Trembling is a short and sweet choice. It's a novel about a French woman who heads to Japan, takes a job in a Japanese megacompany, and finds that the ways of corporate Japan can be a bit, well, challenging for someone who is neither Japanese nor middle-aged nor male.
