Recommendations from our site
“The Tale of Genji was completed in the early 11th century and is one of the oldest — perhaps the oldest — novel in the world… The book follows the life of Genji, a prince, and is a wonderful long read — a psychological novel that not only describes life at court in Heian Japan (794-1185) but also explores universal themes including love and power.” Read more...
Five East Asian Classic Books Worth Reading
Tuva Kahrs, Five Books Editor
Our most recommended books
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All She Was Worth
by Alfred Birnbaum (translator) & Miyuki Miyabe -
Convenience Store Woman: A Novel
by Sayaka Murata -
The Taming of the Samurai: Honorific Individualism and the Making of Modern Japan
by Eiko Ikegami -
Kokoro
by Natsume Sōseki -
Masks
by Fumiko Enchi -
Depression in Japan: Psychiatric Cures for a Society in Distress
by Junko Kitanaka
It is probably the most famous work of pre-modern Japanese literature and the world’s first novel, written by a court lady in the 11th century. The Tale of Genji focuses on the life of Hikaru Genji, the son of an Emperor, and his various political and romantic escapades. The Lady Rokujō is an older woman with whom he has a brief relationship, and who has been represented, not just in the story but also in subsequent literary criticism, as the archetypal woman scorned. Insulted by Genji’s ill treatment of her, the Lady Rokujō’s malevolent spirit manifests itself to several of Genji’s love interests, killing one and frightening others. To put it simply, the Lady Rokujō gets a very bad rap and becomes infamous for her jealous and vindictive nature.
Read the full interview: The Best Modern Japanese Literature.