![]() Each chapter can stand alone as a single short story, making it easy to divide into manageable “chunks.” 4. While the novel still reads in quite old-fashioned language (it was written between the years of 19), it was originally published as a serial. The world-weary and sardonic kitten enjoys whimsical adventures and describes fumbling attempts to mix Western culture with Japanese tradition, as well as men’s feeble mimicry of Western customs and practices. 吾輩は猫である (“I Am A Cat”) by Soseki NatsumeĪ house cat that doesn’t have a name and has never caught a mouse narrates this classic novel, which observes and satirizes the upper-middle class in Japan during the Meiji period. The epic novel follows Genji, son of the Emperor, through family dramas, love affairs and political turmoil in exquisitely evocative language. Murasaki Shikibu was a contemporary of Sei Shonagon, and they wrote their works at about the same time in Japanese history, during the Heian period in the early 1000s. 源氏物語 (“The Tale of Genji”) by Murasaki ShikibuĬonsidered the quintessential Japanese novel, “The Tale of Genji” may have actually been the first novel ever written. A great backup plan is to also read the English translation, or keep it on hand for quick reference. You can read the book in Japanese, but be aware that the language is archaic (it was written in the 11th century, don’t forget). The writer determinedly keeps the tone light, humorous and focused on beauty. The idyllic scenes in the book are made all the more poignant when you remember the often violent political turmoil that was actually going on in the imperial court at the time. The writing flows from poetry to languid descriptions of festivals, celebrations, moments in nature and scenes of giggling women playing games together and flirting with noblemen through paper screens. “The Pillow Book” is an exquisitely poetic memoir, written by one of the Empress’s ladies-in-waiting during the Heian period of Japan-way back in the early 1000s. Third reading: Read for vocab, kanji and grammarĭownload: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that youĬan take anywhere.Second reading: Read for specific information.羅生門 (“Rashomon and Other Stories”) by Akutagawa Ryunosuke 豊饒の海 (“The Sea of Fertility”) by Mishima Yukio 五輪書 (“The Book of Five Rings”) by Miyamoto Musashi 銀河鉄道の夜 (“Night on the Galactic Railroad”) by Miyazawa Kenji 細雪 (“The Makioka Sisters”) by Tanizaki Jun’ichirō おくのほそ道 (“The Narrow Road to the Deep North/Oku”) by Bashō Matsuo 源氏物語 (“The Tale of Genji”) by Murasaki Shikibu This post will guide you through how to learn Japanese using 15 classic books. I think most learners of Japanese could agree that reading is one of the biggest hurdles to overcome on the journey to fluency. By Lucy Moffatt Last updated: Octo15 Classic Japanese Books and Literary Masterpieces You Can’t Miss
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