My favourite Japanese city is Nara because you get all the temples of Kyoto without the ugly buildings (and with added deer!).
The best Japanese book I've read this year is The Oxford Book of Japanese Short Stories - a wonderful introduction to J-Lit for anyone interested in this area.
What Japanese author(s) or book(s) have you enjoyed that you would highly recommend to others?
Let's try Yukio Mishima, Natsume Soseki, Jun'ichiro Tanizaki and (of course) Haruki Murakami :) - I will be moving on to the two Japanese Nobel laureates, Yasunari Kawabata and Kenzaburo Oe, in 2011, so that list will undoubtedly grow longer...
What is something Japanese that you'd like to try but haven't yet had the chance?
Alas, I never got to attend the Sumo or make it to Koshien for a Hanshin Tigers' game during my time in Japan :(
You're planning to visit Japan next year. Money is not a concern. What is on the top of your list of things you most want to do?
See above :) Also, I spent most of my time in Japan in Kansai, with one fleeting visit to Kanto, so I would like to skip Honshu and visit the other main islands - a bit of time in Kyushu, Hokkaido and Shikoku (plus a few days on the beach on Okinawa!) would be great! Not sure I could stomach Will Ferguson's Japanese journey though...
***Thanks to Tanabata for organising this mini-challenge: why don't you all join in next time and learn more about Japan?***
8 comments:
You've reminded me about the Oxford Book of Japanese short stories...
Oops - Hope your credit card's not too overloaded ;)
Hm. Mishima, Soseki... both authors I'm trying but not feeling *really* fond of. Yasunari Kawabata on the other hand.. :))
Can't remember whether you read along with The Housekeeper and the Professor. I would never have heard of the Hanshin Tigers if it wasn't for Ogawa's novel!
I didn't read along, but I did read (and review) it last year - the Tigers are the pride of Kansai (and the Giants are the mortal enemy!).
I have two Kawabata novels waiting for me; well, when the new Penguin editions are published in January, they'll be sent out to me!
Which Natsume Soseki books have you read? I've loved all the four I've read so far: 'Kusamakura', especially, is a wonderful book :)
So I probably shouldn't tell you that hubby is a Giants fan?! ;)
I've had The Oxford Book of Japanese Short Stories for while but still haven't cracked it open. *hanging head* That might make a nice personal project for next year.
And what's this about new Penguin editions of some Kawabata novels? Please tell more.
I pre-ordered a couple of his books on Book Dep ages ago (can't remember which ones!). I just checked, and it says they're Penguin editions - now I wish I'd ordered all four as they were very cheap at the time :(
Which Natsume Soseki books have you read?
I've only read I Am A Cat... Of course you can't base an opinion on just one book but it was quite a volume (1-3). I guess I prefer plot-driven books? Maybe. Will keep an eye out for K.. (ah, better copy-paste LOL) Kusamakura!
Natsume Soseki works don't tend to be plot-driven :) I loved 'I am a Cat' for its plotlessness and random musings, and 'Kusamakura' and 'Sanshiro' are even better!
Post a Comment