I’ve just been reading Murakami writing about, well, writing. I’ve read nearly everything he has written. How to describe his style? Where the mundane meets the magical? Idiosyncratically mesmerising? Like the jazz he loves to listen to? Postmodern fantasy?
His writing style he attributes to writing in English then transcribing it back to Japanese, (which is then translated again for us English readers back into English) - are you keeping up?
Novelist as a Vocation is a peek into Murakami’s approach, motivations and inspirations. He’s a disciplined and humble writer.
I’m just and imperfect guy writing imperfect books. One thing I do want you to understand is that I am, when all is said and done, a very ordinary person.
…Who just happens to make the ordinary, extraordinary.
Maybe it’s something about the way Japanese translates to English that makes contemporary Japanese literature different. Or the cultural nuances. Sayaka Murata is another contemporary Japanese writer I enjoy.
Again in the microcosmic world of Convenience Store Woman the simple detailed observations of daily life are laid bare. This comes across almost a commentary on the clearly defined behavioural standards of Japanese society.
Another favourite is the very slim but perfectly formed shortest of short stories, People from my Neighbourhood by Hiromi Kawakami. These ‘palm of the hand’ stories are like finding sea glass on a beach full of pebbles. Something to treasure and hold on to, to bring out when you need a small moment of joy.
Another small and self contained world is Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami. There is something here about the fragility of human connection that is worth reading. And can be easily read in one sitting. It’s on the top of many other lists of Japanese books in translation worth reading.
Maybe some of these will make it on to your Christmas list or you might think about giving them as a gift. If you want more inspiration you could look no further than Kathryn Hemmann’s website where there is an amazing list of reviews and recommended reading.
My current reading is The Easy Life in Kamusari by Shion Miura (and there’s a follow up on my list Kamasuri Tales Told At Night). This follows on from my earlier mention in a previous post of The Forest of Wool and Steel by Miyashita Natsu. Described as ‘ganbaru’ literature where persistence takes centre stage as the characters do their best at difficult professions. Like a gentle stoic novel for our times perhaps?
If you are looking for something non fiction, I have this on my own wish list: Water, Wood and Wild Things by Hannah Kirshner. This is a beautiful book in a similar vein to Andy Courturier’s The Abundance of Less which I wrote about in an earlier post.
Previous reads I’ve also enjoyed are Bells of Old Tokyo: Meditations on Time and a City by Anna Sherman and, in particular, Lost Japan by Alex Kerr.
I hope this gives you some inspiration this festive season. I’m going to be taking a break now until the New Year. Thank you for reading Wabi Sabi Life. Wishing you and yours all the very best.
I’m very grateful for your support. If you’d like to show some support you can buy me a coffee!
Some Japanese literature for your Xmas list?
Thanks for putting this list together! The first two are already on my TBR and I’ll be adding the rest - I really need to get on with reading some Murakami
Excellent list! I just cross-posted to my Substack. Thank you!