Our most recommended books
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Musui's Story: The Autobiography of a Tokugawa Samurai
by Teruko Craig (editor and translator) -
Depression in Japan: Psychiatric Cures for a Society in Distress
by Junko Kitanaka -
Woman Critiqued: Translated Essays on Japanese Women's Writing
by Rebecca L. Copeland -
Lust, Commerce, and Corruption: An Account of What I Have Seen and Heard, by an Edo Samurai
Mark Teeuwen and Kate Wildman Nakai (eds) -
A History of Japanese Political Thought, 1600-1901
by Watanabe Hiroshi -
March Was Made of Yarn
by David Karashima & Elmer Luke
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.