Japan Story: In Search of a Nation, 1850 to the Present

Product Information

Why Should I Read This Book? It is a gripping tale of crime and corruption, offering a thought-provoking exploration of Japanese society. In 710, the government constructed a grandiose new capital at Heijō-kyō (modern Nara) modeled on Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang dynasty. During this period, the first two books produced in Japan appeared: the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki, [42] which contain chronicles of legendary accounts of early Japan and its creation myth, which describes the imperial line as descendants of the gods. [43] The Man'yōshū was compiled in the latter half of the eighth century, which is widely considered the finest collection of Japanese poetry. [44]

Japan Story - Penguin Books UK

In 1643, undefeated after 61 duels, Japan’s most fearsome samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, retreated to the sepulchral confines of a cave and wrote The Book of Five Rings, an exploratory treatise of swordsmanship, strategy and mind over matter. His clear and concise text remains the holy grail of martial arts manifestos and is still used by practitioners almost 400 years later. The book’s fundamental teachings around self-control and hard work have proved so timeless that many have been appropriated and utilized by people in all walks of modern life. Why Should I Read This Book? This is a cherished tale of heartbreak and responsibility in post-Edo, pre-war Tokyo. Why Should I Read This Book? A unique and heartfelt tale of friendship, self-discovery, and the power of imagination This beefy Japanese short story collection, edited by celebrated translator Jay Rubin (and with an introduction from Haruki Murakami), is a wonderful snapshot of Japan’s literary excellence.The Paleolithic Period in Japan is variously dated from 30,000 to 10,000 years ago, although the argument has been made for a Lower Paleolithic culture prior to 35,000 bce. Nothing certain is known of the culture of the period, though it seems likely that people lived by hunting and gathering, used fire, and made their homes either in pit-type dwellings or in caves. No bone or horn artifacts of the kind associated with this period in other areas of the world have yet been found in Japan. Since there was no knowledge whatsoever of pottery, the period is referred to as the Pre-Ceramic era.

Amazing Japanese Short Story Collections | Books and Bao 17 Amazing Japanese Short Story Collections | Books and Bao

One of those city collections is The Book of Tokyo, a perfect introduction to the world of Japanese short story writing. Main article: Heian period Miniature model of the ancient capital Heian-kyō Later Three-Year War in the 11th century Mizuki Tsujimura shows shades of C.S. Lewis in her critically acclaimed 2017 novel, Lonely Castle in the Mirror. But rather than a wardrobe functioning as a portal to another realm, it’s the titular mirrors, seven in all, each one in the bedroom of a Tokyo teen. The teens are transported to the enchanting halls of the great castle in their mirrors, where they may be granted a wish upon completing a quest. But the book is really about the precariousness of adolescence; of dealing with loneliness and anxiety, ostracization and bullying, and accepting that we have more in common with one another than it may sometimes feel. Most of the spaces presented here are either similar to our own, and the protagonist thinks and behaves in a way that doesn’t fit, or they are scary worlds that our protagonist cannot function in. There is, quite simply, so much fun to be had with this Japanese short story collection. Many of the stories here provide us with an angle: that of a young woman or man in a strange or difficult situation.Why Should I Read This Book? Capturing the essence of the feline-human connection, Arikawa blends warmth, humor, and bittersweet emotions in a story that will tug at your heartstrings.