Japanese Literature discussion

Post here the book you want to read and discuss with at least one other member, including anticipated timing and any other parameters you think would be relevant to you or another member successfully aligning on the designated buddy read. This thread will be an ongoing place to lodge proposals, responses and agreements on timing.

All it takes is two members to agree to read and discuss a book, and align on timing of when it starts, and we'll set up a thread for that discussion. Once posted, any member is free to join in a buddy read once it's launched.

Alison just TBR'd a couple of new modern history books that I found interesting, so I did, too. If others are interested, perhaps we can schedule a reading of them next summer:

Mobilizing Japanese Youth
Japan 1972

Bill wrote: "Alison just TBR'd a couple of new modern history books that I found interesting, so I did, too. If others are interested, perhaps we can schedule a reading of them next summer:

[book: Mobilizing J..."

Count me in! I could use the motivation.

As we're nearing the end of The Inland Sea, I'd like to suggest a couple of other non-fiction buddy reads, to see if there is any interest.

Women in Japanese Religions
Manchurian Legacy

I’m interested in the first one, Bill.

Bells of Old Tokyo is slotted for April if folks remain interested. I have my copy waiting, but am leading two discussions in another group that will tie me up for the ten days or so.

Let's see if we can get this going again with some suggestions. Feel free to add your own, and maybe we can find enough like-minded people to do a buddy read.

True Crime Japan (Modern)

Musui's Story (Edo)

A Diplomat in Japan (Meiji)

Bill, from your list I'd be most keen to read A Diplomat in Japan (mainly because it's the only one available from the local and online libraries).

I've also got the following on my To Read list:

The Fall of Language in the Age of English

What Is Japanese Cinema?: A History

Chronicles Chronicles of My Life: An American in the Heart of Japan

They all skew a little more modern and a little more towards the arts, but I thought I'd add them just in case!

These are from my "To Read" pile. I am still hoping to get to them this year. Unless otherwise noted, I have not read them before.


Protohistoric Yamato: Archaeology of the First Japanese State (Volume 78)
Archaeology of East Asia: The Rise of Civilization in China, Korea and Japan
both by Gina L. Barnes

Traditional Japanese Theater. An Anthology of Plays
by Karen Brazell

A History of Japanese Literature, Volume 2: The Early Middle Ages either vol 1 or vol 2
by Jin'Ichi Konishi

Japan: A Short Cultural History by George Bailey Sansom
(I have read part of this before up to yr 1185)

of more modern history:
The Wages of Affluence: Labor and Management in Postwar Japan by Andrew Gordon

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Of the books mentioned:
What Is Japanese Cinema?: A History by Inuhiko Yomota grabbed my interest. I am slowly researching Ozu films and context.

I did like Gina Barnes' State Formation in Japan , and her Prehistoric Yamato is only $20 new. Archaeology of East Asia is $45 new, but I could get it used for $16.

I this Sansom book different material than his three-volume history?

For history of Japanese literature, I've read the first of Shuichi Kato's trilogy History of Japanese Literature and have the second waiting to read, but I wouldn't mind reading a different take on it from another author.

Is there a more recent book on Japanese Cinema? That one is almost 25 years old and still $35.

I'm interested in The Fall of Language. I read a novel by Mizumura some time ago, and would like to try something else by her.

Bill, I have her An I-Novel on my shelf waiting, so I'd be happy to look at The Fall of Language with you!

Jack, I'm slowly reading my way through a library copy of What is Japanese Cinema? and would be happy to discuss.
> Bill, the most recent edition from 2019 includes a final chapter on the 2001-2011 decade entitled "Within a Production Bubble" if that helps! At the moment, the other books that I see available are academic handbooks (which aren't bad but sometimes more expensive) and director-specific overviews (Kurosawa, Ozu, Suzuki, Kitano, et al.); having said that, I'm happy to look into other recommendations.

Also, I've placed a hold on A Diplomat in Japan from my local library, so I'll poke into that as well once it comes in, should folks still be keen.

Bill,
I have read something else by Gina Barnes but can't remember what is was. It may have been an academic paper. The other archeology text I have read in the last year was Prehistoric Japan by Keiji Imamura. I enjoyed this and vowed to add more archeology works into my readings.

Yes, the George Sansom book is different from his three volume, History of Japan, series.

I also read Kato's A History of Japanese Literature: The First Thousand Years. I thought he was coming from a different social and geopolitical perspective and it was a branch out for me, and an expansion of perspective.

Colin,
I have What Is Japanese Cinema?: A History on request but I probably will not receive it until the second week in September. I look forward to exchanging thoughts about the book when I get it. This year, I was fortunate to experience Ozu's silent film "Dragnet Girl" with a Benshi performance by Kataoka Ichiro and Live musical accompaniment by Robert Humphreville.

Benshi performance is like having a voice actor perform all the voice parts, beyond what is captions, along narrate the film. See https://aboutjapan.japansociety.org/a....

regards to you both, Jack

Colin & Jack,

I'm going to give this thread a few more days before I order anything, in case anyone else in the group wants to express a preference and join in.

Bill wrote: "Let's see if we can get this going again with some suggestions. Feel free to add your own, and maybe we can find enough like-minded people to do a buddy read.

True Crime Japan (M..."

I'd like to join. I'd be interested in True Crime and/or Musui's story.

Bill,

Sounds like a plan. I've placed a few things on request from the library, but I'll hold back on ordering anything additional from the shop until after the long weekend to see if there are any more takers.
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Jack,

No problem on the mid-September start - I'm reading it very slowly, so we can create a thread for it when your copy arrives (if that makes sense to you).

And thank you for the link about benshi performance! The early chapters of the WiJC? introduced the concept and I found it wildly fascinating. :)

Also, on the history front, I've been hemming and hawing for a while now over picking up a copy of Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II and would be happy to add that to my lengthening non-fiction queue, should anyone be interested.

Embracing Defeat was a wonderful book. You won't regret it.

Lovely! Thanks for the recommendation, Bill!

Bill, if you are interested in any of the archeology books that is a new read for you, I am glad to be part of a buddy read.

Also, I think I have a copy of “Embracing Defeat” I will check the shelves and my notes when I get back after the weekend.

I tend to prefer older periods for history but I get interested in post war popular culture developments.

r/Jack

I'm in for a buddy read of True Crime Japan, ordered it from ABE Books and expect it to arrive next week.

Embracing Defeat is at my library and I'd like to read it in October, but don't think I'd be able to get to it sooner.

If anyone is up for a buddy read of Japanese Inn by Oliver Statler, let me know. I own it and want to read it before end of year.

I'm going to order the Japanese Cinema book, so feel free to start a topic when you start reading, and I'll join in when the book arrives.

I recommend Japanese Inn. I might re-read if you get anyone else interested.

Colin/Bill,
I just received a copy of “What is Japanese Cinema” and will start on it this weekend. I am sure to get sidetracked on the films as I go through it. I will post to the topic as I read through it and any insights on the specific films.
Thanks ti you both.
Jack

Jack/Bill, back from a work trip and resuming "What is Japanese Cinema", will start adding some notes this week to the thread.

Bill, if you're interested, I just received a copy of "A Diplomat in Japan" from the library and am going to slowly pick at it this month and next.

Carol, I'd be happy to look at Embracing Defeat in October, if you're keen. I'll have to buy a copy, as it's not in my libraries, so - coupled with the above reads - I'm happy to read it later in the fall.

All, I can add “Embracing Defeat” to my October reading to join in. r/Jack

Colin wrote: "Jack/Bill, back from a work trip and resuming "What is Japanese Cinema", will start adding some notes this week to the thread.

Bill, if you're interested, I just received a copy of "A Diplomat in ..."

Sounds good, Colin and Jack. Let's plan on mid-October, e.g., 15 Oct ish?

I just got in What is Japanese Cinema? and will be starting it now. I finished almost all the other books I was reading while waiting for it.

I also got in Protohistoric Yamato, for after What is Japanese Cinema.

Bill wrote: "Let's see if we can get this going again with some suggestions. Feel free to add your own, and maybe we can find enough like-minded people to do a buddy read.

True Crime Japan (M..."

@aki and @bill: My copy of True Crime Japan arrived. I could start it in ten days or so (or later) if you’re interested in agreeing on a time to read and discuss.

@Carol Say 1 October?

Bill wrote: "@Carol Say 1 October?"

I can do that.

My copy is in, I just need to pick it up from the library. 10/1 works for me!

Aki wrote: "My copy is in, I just need to pick it up from the library. 10/1 works for me!"

Excellent!

@Jack Let me know when you want to start on Protohistoric Yamato.

Not that I mean to rush anyone on What is Japanese Cinema? I hope Colin will have some comments. Sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself on these threads.

Bill, I will need a few more days before starting Protohistoric Yamato. I have two other books to finish,

I appreciated your comments on the What is Japanese Cinema thread. I had a last comment there also with a few other book suggestions for anyone that reads that thread in the future.

No rush. I was going to start True Crime Japan on 1 October, and perhaps Protohistoric Yamato on 15 October. I like to leave myself at least some time in between for non-Japan reads, plus I'll be joining in Diary of a Void next month.

I also have a copy of True Crime Japan. I will try to read it along on the Buddy Read but I May be late to the party. I started a thread for True Crime Japan for any comments to the reader group. - Jack

Jack wrote: "I also have a copy of True Crime Japan. I will try to read it along on the Buddy Read but I May be late to the party. I started a thread for True Crime Japan for any comments to the reader group. -..."

Thanks, Jack — I’m looking forward to it and hope you’re able to join when it fits your reading life.

I found a cheap copy of A History of Japanese Literature, vol 2 , so I picked it up. Maybe we can schedule it sometime.

Bill wrote: "I found a cheap copy of A History of Japanese Literature, vol 2 , so I picked it up. Maybe we can schedule it sometime."

Have you read a few pages, Bill, to confirm that it's not dry as dust (or use description of your preference for like experience)? I can get it for a little over $10 and am interested in hitting it in January, but can imagine that 461 pages on the early Middle Ages could vary quite a bit from 1* to 5.

I only ordered it a few minutes ago. I'll take a look next week and get back to you.

Bill wrote: "I only ordered it a few minutes ago. I'll take a look next week and get back to you."

that would be great.

Carol,

Are messages getting marked as read for you? It hasn't marked anything as read for me for at least 4 days. They've still all got (new) in the title.

Bill, I have the three volume set published in ~1986. I had some notes in volume 2, which covers literature of the early Middle Ages, from the ninth to the mid-twelfth century. However, I think it has been a long while since I read it and I can’t remember from then.
I am glad to read it anew (I am sure that I will enjoy it) but I will probably need to wait until November to start.

Carol, I think Jin’icho Konishi’s will be a bit academic but interesting. I will try to look it over a bit in the next few days and maybe add a more detailed comment.

My current queue has: Confessions of a Mask, Diary of a Void, and the two translations of the Diary of Ben no Naishi (Towazugatari). Others we have marked in Buddy Reads are True Crime, Embracing Defeat, and Protohistoric Yamato.

I just started Embracing Defeat but I want to go through it slowly. My first impression was on how well written it seems.
I will open a thread on it later today.

There's no reason to rush. Take your time. We can put Protohistoric Japan off until you're done with Embracing Defeat.

Jack wrote: "I just started Embracing Defeat but I want to go through it slowly. My first impression was on how well written it seems.
I will open a thread on it later today."

I've got my copy, but was hoping to finish a couple of other reads first. I'll start it Friday or Saturday. I'm very much looking forward to this read and discussion.

Bill wrote: "Carol,

Are messages getting marked as read for you? It hasn't marked anything as read for me for at least 4 days. They've still all got (new) in the title."

The glitch continues. I'm intentionally checking some threads just in case, but hadn't come back to this one. I'm sorry I missed your message when you first posted it.

Jack wrote: "I just started Embracing Defeat but I want to go through it slowly. My first impression was on how well written it seems.
I will open a thread on it later today."

I have my copy and will be starting it this weekend now that I'm back from away. I expect I'll be taking my time with this one but I'm excited!

Carol wrote: "Jack wrote: "I just started Embracing Defeat but I want to go through it slowly. My first impression was on how well written it seems.
I will open a thread on it later today."

I've got my copy, b..."

No rush, please take your time, r/Jack

Jeffery Angles' afterword to his translation of Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again ties in well with several of our previous group reads: What Is Japanese Cinema?: A History, Embracing Defeat: Japan in the Wake of World War II, and Judgement at Tokyo: World War II on Trial and the Making of Modern Asia.

I am looking forward to any comments and insights in the book thread for Godzilla and Godzilla Raids Again.

There are multiple fine bibliographic references in his Notes section that can inform future readings.

r/Jack

I am going to start a buddy read thread for the Kodansha series Maiden's Bookshelf. The English translations are published by Kodansha USA Publishing, LTD New York, NY
The translators are identified in tiny print at the end of each volume and I will add them as I get the hardbacks or electronic copies.
Also, I do not consider these children's books. I would rate them as for literate Young adults. However, I will note the publisher's ratings on each book in the series. If there is a difference between the publisher's site and the back book cover, I will use the rating from the book.