Shows
Read Japanese LiteratureChristianity in Japanese LiteratureIn this episode, we look into the history of Christianity in Japan—especially the role Christianity has played in Japanese literature. Our focus text is Shusaku Endo's Silence.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.Support RJL on Patreon.com.Buy your books from Bookshop.org.All content © 2024 Read Japanese Literature. ...2025-06-051h 01
Read Japanese LiteratureJapanese Writers Standing Up to the StateIn this episode, we take a look at the Japanese proletarian writers’ movement of the 1920s and early 1930s. We also take a deep dive into the life of author Genzaburo Yoshino—not a proletarian writer, but a man who spent prison alongside them and for some of the same beliefs—and his novel How Do You Live?.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't r...2025-03-181h 03
Read Japanese LiteratureKeiichiro HiranoFor the first time ever, RJL brings you information from an interview with a Japanese author—Akutagawa-winner Keiichiro Hirano. This episode takes up his life and work, the influence of Yukio Mishima on his fiction, and his most-recently-translated novel, Eclipse.CW: attempted suicide in a discussion of Yukio Mishima's The Temple of the Golden PavilionNotes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't resp...2025-02-0652 min
Read Japanese LiteratureChristmas in Japanese LiteratureHappy holidays! And, in the interest of today’s episode, merri kurisumasu!Today we’re going to start with the origins of Christmas, especially why Christmas is celebrated in Japan at all. We’ll move on to how Christmas is celebrated in Japan. And we’ll end with some examples of what part Christmas seems to play in Japanese literature—or at least Japanese literature that gets translated.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please...2024-12-1452 min
Read Japanese LiteratureLGBTQ+ Stories from Japan, Part 2RJL is excited to bring you this two-parter about LGBTQ+ stories from Japan. Part two covers Taisho Japan (when women finally enter the stage) through through contemporary LGBTQ+ writing, especially the life and work of Nobuko Yoshiya, Edogawa Ranpo, Yukio Mishima, and Li Kotomi. We also spend a little time on the role of queer manga.Part one covered some of the earliest writing in Japanese through the end of the Meiji Period in 1912.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.This episode is rated mature. CW fo...2024-12-0157 min
Read Japanese LiteratureLGBTQ+ Stories from Japan, Part 1RJL is excited to bring you this two-parter about LGBTQ+ stories from Japan. Part one covers some of the earliest writing in Japanese through the end of the Meiji Period in 1912.Part two (coming soon) covers Taisho Japan (when women finally enter the stage) through some of Japan's contemporary queer writers.This episode is rated mature. CW for the two-part series: historical accounts of practices today recognized as pedophilia and pederasty, mentions of suicide and suicidal ideation (fictional and historical), rape, homophobia, harassment of a trans authorNotes and...2024-10-3054 min
Read Japanese LiteratureJapanese Crime and Mystery WritingToday, we’re talking about crime and mystery novels from Japan. We’ll start with the development of the crime and mystery genre in the English-speaking world. We’ll move on to Japanese crime and mystery writing—how it was inspired by Anglo-American crime and mystery writing and how it evolved in its own way. And we’ll end with the life and work of writer Seishi Yokomizo, especially his novel The Honjin Murders, translated into English by Louise Heal Kawai.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.CW: murder (obviously!) and a brief me...2024-09-1353 min
Read Japanese LiteratureAtomic Bomb LiteratureThis episode is marked mature.In this episode, we take a look at Japanese writing about the American bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that killed as many as 215,000 people in August 1945. We’ll start with the history of the atomic bomb, its use, and its effects on the hibakusha who survived. Then we’ll take a look at atomic bomb literature itself. Our focus text is "Masks of Whatchamacallit" by Kyoko Hayashi (follow the link to read for free), translated by Kyoko Selden.CW: war, illness (historical and fictional), suicide (historical), forced abor...2024-08-1859 min
The First ShogunFirst Shogun - Extra!As we've reached the halfway point in the rise to power of Yoritomo, in this episode we take a break from the main story to look at some of the main books, films, TV shows, and podcasts that deal with this period of early Japanese history. The episode includes tips and suggestions for anyone who's interested to know more about the Gempei War and the life of Japan's First Shogun...List of sources and media mentioned in this episode:Books and sources:The Tale of the Heike - tr. Helen McCullough (Stanford...2024-06-2312 min
Read Japanese LiteratureZainichi Literature—Koreans Writing in JapanIn this episode, we take a look at the history of Koreans writing in Japan. We’ll start with the history of Koreans in Japan, including anti-Korean prejudice before and after WWII. We’ll move on to Zainichi Korean writing. And we’ll finish with a look at Kazuki Kaneshiro’s Go, translated into English by Takami Nieda.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.Correction: This episode claims Yi Kwang-su's book Ai Ka ("Is It Love?") does not appear in English translation. Ai Ka is actually a short story and Janet Poole's translat...2024-06-0355 minRead Japanese LiteratureThe End of the World! Japanese Apocalypse, Part 3In part three of this episode, we’ll finish our story of Japanese apocalyptic and dystopian fiction. First, stories from the mid-90s and 20-aughts. Then, stories from after the March 2011 Triple Disasters. We’ll end with a look at the life and work of author Yoko Tawada who has written several apocalyptic stories, including one of the most important works of post-3/11 apocalyptic fiction available in English translation—The Emissary, also known at The Last Children of Tokyo.CW: brief mentions of historical and fictional violence and rapeNotes and source...2024-04-2956 minRead Japanese LiteratureThe End of the World! Japanese Apocalypse, Part 2In part two of this three part episode, we're looking at the apocalyptic and dystopian fiction of Japan. We'll begin with the evolution of the idea of "the end of the world" in Japan, especially after Japan started importing American and European science fiction. We'll move on to Japanese apocalyptic stories, especially between 1945 and the 1970s and then during the 1970s and 1980s. CW: brief mentions of historical and fictional violence and rapePart two mistakenly implies Jules Verne was an Anglo-American author. As outlined in part one, he was French.N...2024-04-1550 minRead Japanese LiteratureThe End of the World! Japanese Apocalypse, Part 1In part one of this three part episode, we're looking at apocalyptic and dystopian fiction as genres. Their origins in Western and Central Asia. Their evolution in Western Europe. And a history of English-language apocalyptic and dystopian storytelling that will provide us with context and a basis for comparison when we turn to Japanese stories in part two.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.CW: brief mentions of historical and fictional violence and rapeThis episode’s artwork is adapted from a photograph by Du Truong, “The Student of Gunkanjima”. Gunkan...2024-04-0140 minRead Japanese LiteratureMisogyny and Yukio Mishima, Part 2In part two of this two-part episode on misogyny in Japanese literature, we're talking about the life and work of Yukio Mishima, especially by way of his I-Novel, Confessions of a Mask.Check out part one for400 years of attitudes about women in JapanWoman in modern Japanese literature, especially in the work of some of its most important writersNotes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.This episode is rated mature. CW: misogyny, fictional rape, internalized homophobia, suicideJoin Patreon to support the podcast and a...2024-02-2339 minRead Japanese LiteratureMisogyny and Yukio Mishima, Part 1In part one of this two-part episode, we're talking about misogyny in Japanese literature. 400 years of attitudes about women in JapanWoman in modern Japanese literature, especially in the work of some of its most important writersCheck out part two (coming soon) for the life and work of Yukio Mishima, especially by way of his I-Novel, Confessions of a Mask.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.This episode is rated mature. CW: misogyny, fictional rape, internalized homophobia, suicideJoin Patreon to support the podcast and access 10 minutes of...2024-02-1646 minRead Japanese LiteratureKenji MiyazawaThere is no one quite like Kenji Miyazawa. Born into wealth, he longed to be “a real peasant”. One of Japan’s most influential children’s writers, he sold only one story during his lifetime.Read Japanese Literature takes a look at Miyazawa's colorful biography through three of his beloved stories.Miyazawa produced the artwork for this episode. It's a painted titled Power Pole in the Moonlight.Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you w...2024-01-1744 min
Movies That Don't Suck and Some That DoMovies That Don't Suck and Some That Do: The Killer/The MarvelsChris and Neil present their The Killer/Marvels Review.In this epiosde the guys are fired up to talk new movies out there in the universe. First, after an intro, they set up their sniper rifles and chat about Netflix's top movie- David Fincher's The Killer starring Michael Fassbinder and Tilda Swinton. Then, after news, they talk Marvel's The Marvels starring Alison Brie, Samuel L Jackson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani. Like every comic book movie, they give fair warning and launch into a spoiler section. It is always fun.The Killer is a 2023 American action...2023-11-221h 46Read Japanese LiteratureThe Stories of Studio GhibliTo celebrate the overseas release of The Boy and the Heron (aka How Do You Live?) RJL delves into the stories that inspire animator Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, especiallyNausicaä of the Valley of the WindHowl’s Moving CastleMy Neighbor TotoroWe’ll end with a deep dive into Kiki’s Delivery Service—the Ghibli film and the novel by Eiko Kadano (as translated by Emily Balistrieri).Notes and sources on the episode page. Transcript available.*25,000 total episode downloads! Thanks for your support!*Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us throug...2023-11-2148 min
Movies That Don't Suck and Some That DoThe Killer & The MarvelsIn this epiosde the guys are fired up to talk new movies out there in the universe. First, after an intro, they set up their sniper rifles and chat about Netflix's top movie- David Fincher's The Killer starring Michael Fassbinder and Tilda Swinton. Then, after news, they talk Marvel's The Marvels starring Alison Brie, Samuel L Jackson, Teyonah Parris and Iman Vellani. Like every comic book movie, they give fair warning and launch into a spoiler section. It is always fun. www.moviesthatdontsuck.net https://w2mnet.com/category/podcasts/movies-that-dont-suck-and-some-that-do/ www.patreon.com/moviesthatdontsuck2023-11-201h 46Read Japanese LiteratureHaruki MurakamiIn this episode, we're talking about one of the most important voices in modern Japanese literature, Haruki Murakami.His biographyWhy so many people have such strong feelings about his writingAnd his short story "TV People"We'll end with what I like best about this much loved (and much hated) author.Notes and sources on the episode page.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in touch at...2023-10-1643 minRead Japanese LiteratureJapanese Children's LiteratureIn this episode, we're talking about Japanese children's literature.The history of children’s literature in generalThe history of children’s literature in JapanAnd Sachiko Kashiwaba and Temple Alley Summer—a story that is about Japanese children’s literature (at least a little bit!)Notes and sources on the episode page.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.Support RJL on Patreon.com.2023-09-0545 minRead Japanese LiteratureTranslating Japanese to English, Part 2How does a book make it from the mind of a Japanese author into the hands of an English-language reader?In part 2 of this 2-part episode, we'll tackle the question, “How do Japanese books get translated into English?" What kinds of choices do translators make when they present a Japanese-language text to English-language readers?We're still looking at at Minae Mizumura's An I-Novel, translated into English by Juliet Winters Carpenter, and we'll end with some philosophical and ethical questions about translation. Notes and sources on the episode page.Let RJL know wh...2023-08-0854 min
Hacks & WonksWeek in Review: July 7, 2023 - with Robert CruickshankOn this week-in-review, Crystal is joined by Chair of Sierra Club Seattle, long time communications and political strategist, Robert Cruickshank! They discuss Dave Reichert’s entry into the Washington gubernatorial race, whether fireworks are worth their consequences, observations about the motivation for and role of endorsements in local elections by powerful media outlets, a school governance model that renders school boards powerless, and Seattle Times poll results that challenge their usual narratives on homelessness and public safety. As always, a full text transcript of the show is available below and at officialhacksandwonks.com. Fi...2023-07-0751 minRead Japanese LiteratureTranslating Japanese to English, Part 1How does a book make it from the mind of a Japanese author into the hands of an English-language reader?In part 1 of this 2-part episode, we'll tackle the question, “Why do some Japanese books get translated into English?" How do publishers decide what gets translated? How do they decide what doesn’t get translated. And we'll take a look at Minae Mizumura's An I-Novel, translated into English by Juliet Winters Carpenter.Please note two errors in part 1. 1. Noriko Mizuta Lippit translated "The Smile of the Mountain Witch", assisted by Mariko Ochi. The trans...2023-06-2942 min
Photographic Collective Podcast || with Miles Witt BoyerA SECOND CHANCE AT LIFE THROUGH THE LENS OF ALISON CONKLIN."I never thought I would live to see 42" Alison's story is one of ultimate perspective. In her first episode on this podcast we dived into a story filled with creative perspective and intentional, thought provoking heart. Before Alison found her wedding photography on the covers of major magazines like Martha Stewart Weddings chalking up awards and international attention from a few of the largest photography brands on earth she was a grieving teenager processing the loss of her mom at 42 years old by learning to develop old film negatives of her alongside her dad in a makeshift darkroom in...2023-06-0549 minRead Japanese LiteratureSF! Japanese Science FictionIn this episode, we’re talking about Japanese science fiction.The history of the genre. SF in Japan. Breakthrough feminist sci-fi writer Izumi Suzuki.Plus loads of SF stories, including Suzuki’s “Night Picnic”.CW: suicideTranscript, notes and sources at the podcast episode page. Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in to...2023-04-2545 minRead Japanese LiteratureWriting from OkinawaThis episode is marked mature.In this episode, we're talking about writing from Okinawa. The history of the Ryukyu Islands, especially the Battle of Okinawa. The evolution of writing from Okinawa. And the life life and work of author and activist Shun Medoruma, especially his Akutagawa-winning story "Droplets".CW: war, forced suicide (historical), violence (historical and fictional), historical rapeCorrection: This episode claims Hokkaido is Japan's largest island. I know better and misspoke. My apologies.Honshu is Japan's largest island.Transcript, notes and sources at the 2023-04-1445 minRead Japanese LiteratureFukushima FictionOn March 11, 2011, at 2:46pm, one tectonic plate forced its way on top of another 45 miles (or 72 km) off the Eastern coast of Japan. It caused a 9.0 magnitude megathrust earthquake that lasted about six minutes.The Great East Japan Earthquake triggered a tsunami—a great wave—that may have reached heights up to 133 feet (more than 40 meters). The earthquake and tsunami also disabled the reactor cooling systems at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, causing several reactors to meltdown.The government of Tokyo released official death numbers around the tenth anniversary of 3/11 in 20...2023-03-0643 min
How To Rewrite Your StarsDon't Take a Shrimp Coupon to JCPenny's w/ Guest Alison Fabricius3.29 Don't Take a Shrimp Coupon to JCPenny's w/ Guest Alison Fabricius
Alison and I begin by talking about her book that came out recently, "Unapologetically Alison" and how we can live our lives without having to feel guilty or judged about everything we do. We wander over from that topic onto the meaning of some words, including "redeemed" and I bring up coupons, and we talk about how we can turn our potential into permanence and how you shouldn't take a shrimp coupon to JCPenny's. When have you been unapologetically you? Have you ever taken a shrimp...2023-02-221h 25Read Japanese LiteratureSexlessness in Japanese FictionThis episode is marked mature.Today we'll explore two trends in contemporary Japanese fiction:Protagonists who don’t want to have sexAnd women who want to have babies anyway.To take a closer look at these trends, we’re going to ask a couple of questions about contemporary Japan:What is “celibacy syndrome”? Does it even exist?What role does motherhood play in a shrinking society?And how do sexlessness and motherhood play out in 21st-century Japanese fiction?We’ll end with a closer look at Mieko Kawakami’s best-selling novel, Breasts and...2023-02-1345 minRead Japanese LiteratureThe Akutagawa Prize and Kobo AbeThe Akutagawa Prize is probably Japan’s most celebrated literary award.To better understand the Akutagawa Prize and its place in modern Japanese literature, we’ll start with an introduction to the history of “literary” fiction in Japan.Then we’ll move on to the history of the Akutagawa Prize itself, from its creation in 1935 through its most recent winners.And then we’ll finish with a look at the life and career of Kobo Abe including his most famous book, The Woman in the Dunes.(CW: suicide, attempted rape in a novel)2023-01-2743 minRead Japanese LiteratureJapanese Magical RealismMagical realism is a literary genre famous for unexplained fantastical encounters that pop-up in the otherwise everyday world.Today, we’re going to take a look at magical realism in Japanese fiction.We’ll start with defining magical realism, including a look at why that term is difficult and why some people think of it as controversial.Then we’ll turn to the history of magical realism in Japan and take a closer look at the work of Tomihiko Morimi, especially The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl.(CW: brief mention of fic...2023-01-0644 minRead Japanese LiteratureCats in Japanese LiteratureToday, we’re going to look at cats in Japanese literature.We’ll start with the history of cats in Japan.We’ll move on to cats in Japanese folklore and fiction, including the work of Haruki Murakami.And finally we’ll end with a discussion of our readers' choice, “The Town of Cats” by Sakutaro Hagiwara.Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.Become an RJL supporter for seven minutes of bonus content.Support this podcast by buying from Bookshop.orgLet RJL know what yo...2022-11-2842 minRead Japanese LiteratureThe Smile of the Mountain WitchIn this episode…Is she a man-eating crone?Is she a lonely wanderer?Or is she a sensual matriarch?However you define her, she’s the yama-uba—Japan’s legendary mountain witch.Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.Donate to RJL's Patreon.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.Support RJL on P...2022-10-2541 minRead Japanese LiteratureWriting about Japan's "Have-Nots"In this episode…Post-bubble Japan.The history of socially-conscious Japanese literature.And Yu Miri’s Tokyo Ueno Station, a powerful examination of Tokyo by one of the most invisible people imaginable—the ghost of a homeless day laborer.Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.Donate to RJL's Patreon.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in touch at www.readja...2022-09-2244 minRead Japanese LiteratureTranslating Japanese WomenIn all our episodes so far, we’ve talked almost exclusively about what Japanese literature looks like in Japan.But we’re English-speakers and English-readers on an English-language podcast about Japanese literature in English.In honor of Women in Translation Month, we’re talking about why there is such a wealth of contemporary books by Japanese women available in English.Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.Donate to RJL's Patreon.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Plea...2022-09-0142 min
Woman in RevoltVideo Nasty: 'Possession'In Andrzej Żuławski’s "Possession" (1981), Anna (Isabelle Adjani) and Marc (Sam Neill) are a married couple in turmoil. When Marc, some kind of international spy (it’s never specified) comes home to West Berlin after a mission in East Berlin, he and Anna are on thin ice. Marc suspects she’s having an affair and when he finds confirmation of this news, has a brief depressive spiral. Their son, Bob (Michael Hogben), seems to be the only thing keeping both of them in contact with each other, although he is severely neglected by both throughout the film. In Anna’s a...2022-08-311h 16Read Japanese LiteratureBanana and the BubbleIn this episode, we’re talking about Japan’s bubble economy of the 1980s and the work of Banana Yoshimoto.Runaway consumer spending.Everything kawaii.A Nobel laureate’s contempt.And a young author whose career challenged the publishings powers that be.Content warning: This episode addresses transphobia as well as hate crimes against Asian Americans and trans women.Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please...2022-08-2345 minRead Japanese LiteratureLiterature of Change in the 1960s—Mishima and OeToday, we’re talking about the literature of change in the 1960s—how writers took on questions about what it meant to be Japanese in the post-war era and what was the continuing role of Japanese tradition.We’re looking especially at Yukio Mishima and Kenzaburo Oe.*This episode incorrectly states that Kenzaburo Oe was born in 1925. He was born in 1935.Content warning: This episode addresses fascism and suicide.Notes and sources at the podcast episode page.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the websit...2022-08-1539 minRead Japanese LiteratureJapanese Literature in WWIIToday we’re talking about the 1930s and 40s in Japan—fascism, World War Two, and the American Occupation.In particular, how did 20 years of censorship shape Japanese literature?We're also taking a look at the life and work of Akiyuki Nosaka, whose novella, "Grave of the Fireflies" inspired the classic anime film. We'll discuss his short story, "The Cake Tree in the Ruins".Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note...2022-07-1241 min
Photographic Collective Podcast || with Miles Witt BoyerTOM WRIGHT : TURNING DISAPPOINTMENTS INTO GROWTH // PCP37What happens to your career when you become more focused on being successful than serving your clients? Sometimes we need to remember that every time we're told no it doesn't mean we're on the wrong path. Sometimes a disappointing result can be the catalyst for enormous opportunity. This episode we're sitting down with UK based portrait and commercial photographer and videographer Tom Wright. Tom is no stranger to success though you may not have heard of him as a prolific voice in the industry. He's been the creative mind in the shadows of some absolutely remarkable work but his...2022-07-071h 00Read Japanese LiteratureThe I-Novel, Osamu Dazai, and No Longer HumanToday, we’re talking about the I-Novel—the highest form of literature in Japan in the 1910s and 20s.It’s a genre one American scholar describes as “perhaps the most striking feature of modern Japanese literature.”And it’s a genre Haruki Murakami claims to have an allergy to.We’ll also be looking at the life and work of Osamu Dazai and asking, “What does it take to get disqualified as a human being?”Content warning: This episode addresses addiction, rape, suicide, and misogyny.Notes and sources at the podcast epi...2022-06-2341 minRead Japanese LiteratureTaisho Magazines and Akutagawa’s Vision of HellThe father of the Japanese short story shares his dark vision about what it means to be an artist.We’re taking a look at Japan in the 1910s and 1920s, the era of the Taishō Democracy and the heyday of Japan’s literary magazines and serial novels.Content warning: This episode addresses addiction, suicide, and sexual assault.Notes and sources at the podcast episode website.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedb...2022-05-3139 minRead Japanese LiteratureThe Women Writers of Meiji JapanLast episode, we talked about the coming of the West and the way it impacted Japanese literature.This time we’re talking about women as they take up a prominent position in the story of Japanese literature for the first time in almost 1000 years.Special focus on Ichiyō Higuchi and her best-beloved story "Takekurabe".Please note that this episode mistakenly attributes quotes from Higuchi’s diary to translator Melek Ortabasi. The translations are by Kyoko Omori.Notes and sources are available on the podcast episode webpage.Let RJL know what...2022-05-0637 minRead Japanese LiteratureMeiji Literature and Japan’s Most Famous Literary CatIn this episode, we’re looking at the Meiji Era of Japanese history and its literature.The shogunate is replaced.Japan looks outward to the West and inward toward itself.And a man named Natsume Sōseki chronicles it all from the perspective of a stray cat.Notes and sources are available on the podcast episode webpage.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in touch at www...2022-04-1330 minRead Japanese LiteratureKaidan—Japan’s Ghost StoriesIn this episode, we’ll be talking about Ueda Akinari and his Tales of Moonlight and Rain, some of the most influential Japanese ghost stories ever written.- A raging intellectual debate- A supernatural party game- And a friend just dying to keep his promisesFor notes, links to the suggested reading, and an illustration of Okiku, please visit the episode's webpage.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL ca...2022-02-2632 minRead Japanese LiteratureHigh and Low Literature in Edo JapanHow does “this fleeting world” transform from a Buddhist precept to a name for the red-light district?What did reading look like in early Modern Japan?And how many dildos does a man need to pack for a trip to the Island of Women?For notes, links to the suggested reading, and an illustration of sailing to the Island of Women, please visit the episode's webpage.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feed...2022-02-0826 minRead Japanese LiteratureSetsuwa and Medieval Japanese BuddhismEnjoy the story of a vengeful would-be lover who turns into a 40-foot snake, a sharp-witted woman with criticisms of her husband’s equipment, and a curmudgeonly Buddhist priest who learns to love poetry. In this episode, we’re talking about setsuwa—medieval Japanese anecdotes. Many of them originate as Buddhist preaching, so we’ll also take a look at “Kamakura Buddhisms”: Pure Land, Zen, and Nichiren. For notes, links to the suggested reading, and a great picture of Kiyohime as a fire-breathing snake, please visit the episode's webpage.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us th...2022-01-1329 minRead Japanese LiteratureYoshitsune Ballads and Tomoe DramaWe're talking about two central genres of Medieval Japanese literature—the warrior ballad and Noh drama. We’ll see two characters from The Tale of the Heike again, including the valiant female warrior Tomoe. This time, she's a mournful ghost.https://readjapaneseliterature.com/2021/12/22/episode-4-yoshitsune-ballads-and-tomoe-drama/Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.Support RJL on Patreon.com.Buy your books from Book...2021-12-2132 minRead Japanese LiteratureThe Tale of the HeikeThe great samurai epic and the rise of the samurai class.Visit this episode's webpage for information on buying the book and resources for further reading.Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.Support RJL on Patreon.com.Buy your books from Bookshop.org.All content © 2024 Read Japanese Literature. 2021-12-0425 minRead Japanese LiteratureThe Tale of GenjiThe world's oldest novel. A hero who is a paragon of beauty with an extreme Oedipus complex.(CW: sex, rape, incest, pedophilia.)Let RJL know what you think! (Contact us through the website if you want a response.)Please note that text messages are for feedback only. RJL can't respond directly.Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.Support RJL on Patreon.com.Buy your books from Bookshop.org.All content © 2024 Read Japanese Literature. 2021-10-0628 min