National Aug 8, 2020
'Shiko no Seirigaku' author Shigehiko Toyama dies in Japan at 96
As well as being a published author, Toyama had been an editor-in-chief of a monthly journal on English literature.
National Jul 16, 2020
Novelists Takayama and Tono win Akutagawa awards; Hase wins Naoki Prize
Novelists Haneko Takayama and Haruka Tono have won the Akutagawa Prize for up-and-coming authors, while Seishu Hase won the Naoki Prize for popular fiction, the selection committee said Wednesday. Takayama, 45, won for her novel "Shuri no Uma" ("A Horse from Shuri"), which depicts a ...
Books / Reviews | RECENTLY PUBLISHED BOOKS ABOUT JAPAN Feb 22, 2020
'The Japanese Discovery of Chinese Fiction': A literary classic's outsize impact on Japan
by Martin Laflamme
In "The Japanese Discovery of Chinese Fiction," William C. Helberg delves into Japan's fascination with "The Water Margin," and how its influence spread beyond the confines of pure literature.
Books Jan 25, 2020
Is Japan enjoying a new literary golden age?
by Nicolas Gattig and Damian Flanagan
With more and more Japanese novels in translation achieving commercial and critical success, Nicolas Gattig and Damian Flanagan argue over whether a new wave of writers are transcending Japan's literary past.
Books Oct 26, 2019
Tokyo's Jimbocho neighborhood won't close the chapter on books
by Manami Okazaki
Thousands of bibliophiles are expected to descend on Tokyo's Jinbocho neighborhood over the next week or so as the city celebrates the 60th anniversary of its largest secondhand book fair. Some even claim the Kanda Used Book Festival, which this year runs through Nov. 4, ...
National / History Oct 9, 2019
Oldest written copy of 'missing' part of classic work 'Tale of Genji' discovered
A manuscript containing a missing part of classic Japanese work of literature "The Tale of Genji," written by Murasaki Shikibu in the early years of the 11th century, has been found among the heirlooms of the family of a former feudal lord, a cultural ...
National Sep 28, 2019
Late Japanese literature scholar Donald Keene remembered at Columbia University ceremony
A ceremony to commemorate noted Japanese literature scholar Donald Keene, who died in February this year aged 96, was held at Columbia University in New York, his alma mater, on Friday. About 200 people, including some who studied under him, attended. Keene, who was ...
National Jul 8, 2019
Museum chronicling novelist Natsume Soseki's life in U.K. begins new chapter
A museum dedicated to novelist Natsume Soseki (1867-1916) that closed in 2016 has reopened in a new location in southeast England. Previously in south London, at the site of Soseki's lodgings during his stay in Britain, the museum closed after 32 years amid dwindling attendance ...
National Jun 11, 2019
Seiko Tanabe, an award-winning author known for her modernized version of the classic "Tale of Genji" titled "Shin-Genji Monogatari," died of cholangitis, an inflammation of the bile duct, on June 6 in Kobe, her family said Monday. She was 91. Born in Osaka, the author ...
National Apr 19, 2019
Museum devoted to Japanese novelist Natsume Soseki, shuttered in London in 2016, to reopen in Surrey
A museum in London devoted to renowned Japanese novelist Natsume Soseki (1867-1916), which was closed over two years ago, is set to be revived in nearby Surrey in May. Ikuo Tsunematsu, 67, who headed the museum, decided to reopen it after receiving a flurry of ...
National Apr 3, 2019
Banna, Banpo, Eiko, Koshi and Kyuka: The Japan eras that could have been, beaten out by Reiwa
Five of the potential names for Japan's next era that were unsuccessful at the final stage came to light Tuesday, a day after the government selected Reiwa from the six finalists. The five other candidates were Eiko, Kyuka, Koshi, Banna and Banpo, sources with knowledge ...
National / Politics Apr 2, 2019
What's in a name? Reiwa reflects today's politics, Japan's cultural history and a social philosophy
by Reiji Yoshida
Media hype over Reiwa, the newly announced name for the upcoming era, continued unabated Tuesday. At the same time, a majority of people appeared to happily welcome the name, which means "auspicious" (rei) and "peace" or "harmony" (wa). However, the choice of the era name ...