I'm visiting Japan in a few months and I wanted to learn more about the country before going, please recommend me some books.I just finished Chrysanthemum and the Sword, I'm planning to read 2 histories, Hagakure + Mishima's commentary, probably Bushido as well.I thought about reading Genji but it's quite long, maybe one of Mishima's novels would be better if you can recommend a specific one.
Essays in Idleness and HojokiChushingura The Treasury of Loyal Retainers translated by Donald Keene The Major Plays of Chikamatsu by Donald KeeneThe Japanese Family Storehouse, or, The Millionaire’s Gospel by SaikakuRashomon and Seventeen Other Stories by AkutagawaThe Nobility of Failure: Tragic Heroes in the History of Japan by Ivan Morris is a good history book
>>24682342Hagakure is so incredibly boring
Spring Snow if you want romance, Noon Tide if you want weird fetish shit. I recommend Kwaidan for an anthology of short, spooky stories. And I recommend you learn hiragana and katakana. It will help you a lot more than any novel.
>>24682342read about - rape of nanking
>>24682604Thanks anon, I'll check them out.>>24682611I know Japanese decently well but I'll continue focusing my time on it until I go.I've heard a lot about Sea of Fertility so I'll read Spring Snow.>>24683546I don't care about Chinksects.
>>24683546I don't think anon is looking for historical fiction.
>>24682342Almost transparent blue obligatory
>>24683774Ryu is peak westaboo, I love him, but I don't think that's what OP wants.
>>24682342Dragon Ball by Akira ToriyamaRurouni Kenshin by Nobuhiro WatsukiShuna’s Journey by Hayao Miyazaki
>>24684299I'm covered on the anime and manga front, but thanks.>>24684269Maybe not but I am very interested in something that compares post-war Japan to pre-war, something like a followup to Chrysanthemum and the Sword which described a Japan completely alien from the impression I've gotten.
>>24684346Then absolutely give Almost Transparent Blue a shot, if you enjoy it, I highly recommend trying In the Miso Soup.
>>24684414Sure, it's short and the library has it so I'll grab it next time.What impact has Chinese literature had on Japan? I don't know much beyond Three Kingdoms and Journey to the West.
>>24682342Journey to the westCoin locker babies - ryu murakami
