Recently I have been watching some Japanese tv shows on Amazon Prime (James May in Japan) and it caught my attention about Japanese culture. I know a little bit about it and would like to expand my knowledge about Japanese culture.
Pachinko is historical fiction by Min Jin Lee that is about several generations of a Korean family who moves to Japan. So it’s about the Korean experience in Japan in the 20th century. I’m not specifically interested in Korea or Japan and quite enjoyed it.
NewBodWhoThis on
{{Butter}} is a nice critique of Japanese society that views women as pretty things to be loved and admired, and also touches on themes like loneliness and overworking culture. Ok, maybe “touches” isn’t really the right word, it’s more like…heavy petting.
Caleb_Trask19 on
The book to read is Tale of the Genji, but it’s huge! It’s also considered the first novel. I suggest reading The Pillow Book first, which was written by a female rival and leans more towards nonfiction than the fantastical Genji.
You can also read the nonfiction western written book World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan. I would almost go as far to say it’s required reading for Genji if you have no background at all of Japanese culture.
Also, if you only want to dip your toe in there is a greatly edited down version of Genji you can read, but I’d still start with Shining Prince.
georgrp on
“I Called Him Necktie”, by Milena Michiko Flašar (or if you know German, the original title: “Ich nannte ihn Krawatte”). It’s a very personal book, rather short.
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Pachinko is historical fiction by Min Jin Lee that is about several generations of a Korean family who moves to Japan. So it’s about the Korean experience in Japan in the 20th century. I’m not specifically interested in Korea or Japan and quite enjoyed it.
{{Butter}} is a nice critique of Japanese society that views women as pretty things to be loved and admired, and also touches on themes like loneliness and overworking culture. Ok, maybe “touches” isn’t really the right word, it’s more like…heavy petting.
The book to read is Tale of the Genji, but it’s huge! It’s also considered the first novel. I suggest reading The Pillow Book first, which was written by a female rival and leans more towards nonfiction than the fantastical Genji.
You can also read the nonfiction western written book World of the Shining Prince: Court Life in Ancient Japan. I would almost go as far to say it’s required reading for Genji if you have no background at all of Japanese culture.
Also, if you only want to dip your toe in there is a greatly edited down version of Genji you can read, but I’d still start with Shining Prince.
“I Called Him Necktie”, by Milena Michiko Flašar (or if you know German, the original title: “Ich nannte ihn Krawatte”). It’s a very personal book, rather short.