What do you think of first
when someone mentions Japan? Is it Mount Fuji, the ‘Hello Kitty’ culture, manga,
the food? (Hmmm, sushi, yum!) The years Japan spent closed to the world
preserved its traditions and behaviours making it a very unique and
interesting country. Fortunately, especially while travel is restricted, the works of many Japanese authors have been
translated into other languages, making them accessible to the non-Japanese audience, and providing a fascinating window into this world.
Perhaps I ought to start
with a disclaimer. You see, unlike the other posts in my ‘Books to read before
you go’ series, I’ve never been to Japan. If it weren’t for Covid-19, I would
have visited last month, but my much-anticipated trip had to be postponed. So,
I cannot claim any title is ‘exactly how life is like in Japan’. Known authenticity
aside however, in my excited preparation for the upcoming trip, I read a lot of
books by Japanese authors, and that reading really opened my eyes to a lot of
the cultural differences between Japan and the European culture I grew up in.
In the meantime, while
travel has escaped our reach, here, in no particular order, are some reading
recommendations from me.
Fiction
Convenience Store woman –
Sayaka Murata
Quirky 36-year-old Keiko is
very happy working in a convenience store but faces constant judgement and
criticism from her family and others, for not being ‘normal’, and not sharing
their pressures and expectations. This book highlights the hypocrisy of judging
certain professions as less worthwhile than others, and offers an amusing
glance at modern Japanese behaviours.
Norwegian Wood – Haruki
Murakami
If you want talking cats and
other weirdness read another of Murakami’s novels. This is one of his more
straightforward books, but dealing with grief, love, lust and mental health, it
is a deeper love story than some, and makes you really feel for the characters.
Memoirs of a Geisha – Arthur
Golden
Following one girl’s journey
from impoverished childhood to geisha, this story provides a great introduction
to geisha and Japanese culture for foreigners. I enjoyed the character
development and what felt like a privileged insight into the secret world of
geisha.
The Makioka Sisters –
Junchiro Maziaki
Set in Osaka just before World
War II, this book paints a literary family portrait centring around four
sisters. The story follows the attempts by older sisters to secure good futures
(ie. husbands) for their younger sisters, and the somewhat contradictory attempts
by one sister to break free from traditional ways. It struck me as almost a
Japanese version of Pride and Prejudice.
Strange Weather in Tokyo –
Hiromi Kawakami
This tender love story tells
of the blossoming relationship between a woman in her 30s and a much older man
who was once her teacher. The book is peppered with references to food so, if
the romance doesn’t draw you in, the delicious food descriptions will.
The Sound of Waves – Yukio
Mishima
Set in a remote fishing
village, this sweet book follows two young people’s story of first love, their
fight to be together, and the impact of the gossip and interferences of their
community. There are pearl divers too!
Pachinko – Min Jin Lee
This wonderful book tells
the tale of a Korean girl who moves, with her husband, to Japan just before
World War II. It is a sweeping family saga spanning generations. The characters
are well developed and I enjoyed learning more about the experiences of Koreans
in Japan during that period.
Fear and Trembling – Amelie
Nothomb
This short book describes
the experiences of a 22-year-old Belgian woman working in Japan, and is quite
eye-opening regarding the work culture in Japan. However, her efforts to make
the book amusing make Japan sound like a nightmare, so perhaps it is a
worthwhile read for those planning to work in Japan, but it is unlikely to
inspire a trip!
Non-Fiction
Hiroshima – John Hersey
Written in a simple
journalistic style, and based upon the memories of several survivors, this
important book tells the experiences of Hiroshima residents in the aftermath of
the atomic bomb being dropped on their city. The book shares horrifying stories
from first-hand accounts. It is a shocking, disturbing and very worthwhile
read.
