Three works by one of Japan's most celebrated novelists will be published in English for the first time this summer in an attempt to broaden his appeal among Western readers.
A London-based Japanese historian and curator has translated three works by Nastume Soseki (1867-1916). They are "Inside My Glass Doors" (1915), "210th Day" (1906) and "Spring Miscellany" (1909). The last is being published together with a collection of essays and letters written by Soseki while he was in London.
"Spring Miscellany" and "210th Day" are being published in English for the first time. "Inside My Glass Doors" was last translated in 1928 with a limited print run.
The translator, Sammy Tsunematsu, hopes his efforts will show the depth and variety of Soseki's writing style, as compared with the more popular books that have already been translated, including the novelist's first work, "Wagahai wa Neko de aru" ("I Am a Cat"), from 1905.