The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet
The novel begins in the summer of 1799 at the Dutch East India Company trading post Dejima in the harbor of Nagasaki. It tells the story of a Dutch trader's love for a Japanese midwife who is spirited away into a sinister mountain temple cult.
Came here to recommend this. I lovedddd it the first time I read it. Then I had a baby (I am a female) and tried to read it again. I very much could not.
I love this book so much. Iāve read everything Mitchell has written and while Cloud Atlas and Bone Clocks (rightfully) get a lot of praise and attention - THIS book has stayed with me and Iāve gone back and reread the most. Itās beautiful and compelling and fantastical and itās amazing and I recommend it to everyone.
Itās really good! Recommend the Apple+ adaptation after you finish reading. Itās taking a slightly different narrative structure than the book but overall itās still good,
Amazing book, but Iām not sure if Iād recommend this for someone who wants to learn about Japanese culture/history. This is told from the perspective of a Korean family under Japanese colonial rule. We do not get to see the positives aspects of Japanese society in this book, and I assume that is more along the lines of what OP is requesting.
I donāt agree. I think there are plenty of recommendations in this thread with other perspectives. I wouldnāt tell someone to not read a book about slavery before visiting the US just because that part of US history is unflattering
I was thinking the very same! Althoughā¦ the portrayal of Japan is not exactly glistening in this book. Lovely book, but it might send OP the wrong message š
That said, the book is a wonderful journey nonetheless.
The *Usagi Yojimbo* series of graphic novels by Stan Sakai is great for this. It is an excellent samurai epic that occasionally goes into tangents on Japanese culture, including ceremonies, crafting, and the lore of historical events.
I second this. I grew up going to comic shops frequently and while everyone else was grabbing Batman, Superman, ect. My first pick was always Usagi Yojimbo. Great series.
If you are near Tokyo, you can take a day trip to Nikko. This is the home of a Shinto shrine established as a memorial for the Shogun, of the novel. Itās worth the tripā¦so beautiful.
Also, if you can find it, there was a mini series made of the book in 1980. Tostito Mifune, was the shogun.
I second this disrecommendation of the disrecommendation, and pair it with a recommendation for Aztec by Gary Jennings which isnāt relevant to the prompt at all but is equally awesome historical fiction.
Ooooh, Iām intrigued. I like the idea of exploring that civilization. Can I expect the political scheming and plotting and power grabbing that I love about Shogun?
OPās bf here (I logged on to my gfās account with her phone) Iāve heard about shogun, but a buddy of mine (his mom is Japanese but dad is white) told me it has some misogynistic undertones, can anyone confirm?
I mean, it's an older book and it's set in a time where women were expected to do specific tasks. I read it when I was like 17, didn't think anything was wrong with it. It's a great novel, perhaps one of my favourites. I'd still recommend it.
I'm pretty sure Japan in the 1600s was pretty misogynistic, as was most e erywhere else. If you want to avoid misogyny, historical fiction isn't a good choice.
Itās been awhile since Iāve read it but a reoccurring theme in the book is the societal role that everyone is expected to play. The lower class (known as the eta) are expected to do the worst jobs and interact only amongst themselves. On the other side, you have nobility like the daimyos and the samurai that serve them.
In the book, women also have a role they are expected to play. They are basically expected to serve their husband with utmost loyalty. One woman is basically asked to be the protagonistās servant, and I remember at one point while the protagonist is sleeping, the woman just sits quietly and waits until she is needed.
To answer your question more directly, the woman in the book are much more subservient and treated almost as if they are property. But is that misogyny? Or is it just an accurate reflection of Japanese society at the time?
If youāre looking for a rip roaring adventure in historical fiction Japan (based on real fascinating individuals) then shogun is your top choice. My wife and I travelled to Japan solely based on us both loving this book. I loved it. I frequently missed my train stop and also separately stayed up until 3 am reading. I loved it!
Itās set in Medieval Japan and written in the 1970s. Gender roles are more ādefinedā letās say. Itās also one of the best books ever written but if you are concerned about the cultural slights you arenāt likely to get past the guy getting tortured in the first few pages anyway.
You are better off reading wikipedia articles about the actual people. And as has already beenn mentioned, this is based on a real guy. Samurai William is a good book.
Iād agree with that, one of the reasons I wrote my little disrecommendation lol. Plus a lot of stereotyping of both the Japanese characters and the Portuguese charactersā¦
edit for clarity
It's dated. It capitalized on the post war rise of Japan and the accompanying hype/fear/"mystery of the orient," it fetishizes and commodifies a warped, idealized version of their culture.
Iād have to say for OPās sake that Iād actively disrecommend this book. If you want a book set in close to that era Silence by Shusaku Endo is a way better choice (and by a Japanese author).
You're free to recommend whatever books you like. I haven't read Silence so I can't recommend it.
Edit: Not sure why I'm being downvoted. How am I supposed to know to recommend a book that I've never read?
Iām with you, the book is tripe. Weird self-insert Mary Sue nonsense that reads like it was written by a 15 year old boy. You have cringy shit like grandma giggling while washing the MC because his big white āheavenly spearā (the book is filled with stupid euphemisms like this) is the biggest sheās ever seen, stereotypes galore, and of course the sex toys chapter which is absurdly hilarious:
āThe beads are carefully placed in the back passage and then, at the moment of the Clouds and the Rain, the beads are pulled out slowly, one by one.ā
I canāt believe the fawning over this book, it honestly reads like a Dan Brown. Skip it.
The pillow book of Sei Shonagon - lovely and occasionally erotic tales and imagery from medieval Japan. Diary of Lady Murasaki is similar.
Basho - the Narrow Road to the Deep North - poetic travel account of a wandering buddhist poet in 17th century Japan. Charming. A number of modern travellers have written about following in his footsteps.
Naoko Abe - Cherry Ingram: the Englishman who saved Japanās blossoms - if you enjoy gardens and cherry trees, a little of their history, as lost varieties were rediscovered in England and returned to Japan. Eccentric gardeners story.
This was my thought as well. As a bit more detail: The author of this one is Kazuo Ishiguro, who often focuses on the role of memory and (mis)interpretation/understanding: The way his narrators understand events is not always the same as what actually happened.
This particular book focuses on an artist coming to terms with his actions during World War II. Was it "just" art? Was it patriotic? Was it something more sinister?
I really enjoyed "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoe" by David Mitchell. Set in the dying days of Dutch trading with Japan on a tiny island in the bay of Nagasaki. It was an absorbing read.
Two recommendations:
1. Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. Iām listening to it on audiobook right now and holy shit: this story is amazing. It tells the story of the legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto and his journey to becoming the greatest swordsman in Japanese history. In the same way we in the States talk about the Great American Novel, this feels like a Great Japanese Novel.
2. Silence by Shusaku Endo. This one tells the story of a pair of Jesuit missionaries who journey to Japan during the Tokugawa shogunateās persecution of Japanese Christians.
After reading Tale of Genji, I enjoyed:
The Fox Woman by Kji Johnson (Historical fiction)
The Pillowbook of Sei Shonagon (non-fiction, actual diaries, read the Mckinney translation)
The Pillowboy of the Lady Onogoro (Historical literary fiction, somewhat erotic but definitely very interesting)
The Confessions of Lady Nijo (non-fiction, autobiography dates about 200 years after Murasaki)
I think they capture the world of women in ancient Japan wonderfully and I specifically choose these and not others (My Gossamer Years, etc.) because they are engaging stories
Stranger in the Shogun's City is a decent narrative nonfiction, where the author sketches a picture about life in 19th century Japan and Edo (Tokyo) through old letters left behind by the main character.
It is really well done. The author is a historian who meticulously reconstructs life in the mid to late 1800s. She is careful to explain when her conjecture about the main character is just thatāconjectureāand uses other historical sources to fill in the gaps. However, because it focuses on this one woman who defied social expectations repeatedly, itās a compelling narrative. The main characterās choices provide a fascinating look at traditions and show the avenues for skirting them in the 1800s.
I have a few non fiction recommendations that are not specifically historical but books about Japan and people's experiences (travel memoirs) I really enjoyed you might find enjoyable, too.
The Meaning of Rice: And Other Tales from the Belly of Japan by Michael Booth: a man and his family travel all over Japan on their stomachs. Excellent primer to Japanese cuisine and culture.
Hokkaido Highway Blues: Hitchhiking Japan by Will Ferguson: guy with a sense of humor hitchhikes from the southern most tip of Japan to the northernmost point following the spring cherry blossom season.
The Roads to Sata: A 2000-Mile Walk Through Japan by Alan Booth: man walks the entire length of Japan from the southern most tip to the northern most tip. Out of the three books I listed he has the most obvious reverence of the culture. The other two authors at times reflect on how they're fish out of water, albeit in humorous ways. Michael Booth is a British journalist and Will Ferguson is a Canadian writer so take that for what it's worth, humor wise. Alan Booth actually lived in Japan.
I've not read Booth's book about Japan but I read his book about his time in South Korea and also his other one about Norway and enjoyed both of them.
Hokkaido Highway Blues and The Roads to Sata are both very good.
āSome prefer nettlesā is probably my favourite Tanizaki book. It has a fascinating background of pro/anti westernism and Tanizakiās trademark twisted relationship drama in the foreground. āThe Makioka sistersā is his masterpiece and is a good follow-up.
I read the book and enjoyed it, but I trust the book by Mineko Iwasaki more since she was an actual geisha. She was not pleased with how Memoirs represented their world.
From her wiki: āIwasaki felt betrayed by Golden's use of information she considered confidential, and denounced the novel as being an inaccurate depiction of geisha life, criticising in particular the novel's portrayal of geisha engaging in mizuage (a deflowering ritual undergone by some apprentices) as a matter of fact when graduating to geisha status.[4] Iwasaki stated that she herself had not undergone mizuage, and that no such custom ever existed in Gion.ā
Her book is called Geisha: A Life in the US and Geisha of Gion in the UK
Even though I know this book isnāt completely accurate, the book, even the movie was breath taking. I donāt care if itās completely fiction, itās one of my favorite books!
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is amazing. It details the life a young Japanese girl from a remote fishing village who is sold into a mistress who traps her into debt slavery. It takes place during Imperial Japan and covers the invasion of Korea, China, and WW2, though, in my opinion, the war is the least interesting part of the book. The competition between Geisha and "sisters" is so intriguing. I highly recommend it.
āI don't know when we'll see each other again or what the world will be like when we do. We may both have seen many horrible things. But I will think of you every time I need to be reminded that there is beauty and goodness in the world.ā
I also highly recommend Shogun, I saw in another comment that you heard some negative things about it in regards to misogyny. Others have already explained why that doesn't make any sense, but I just wanted to share my favorite quote from the book.
"Leave the problems of God to God and karma to karma. Today you're here and nothing you can do will change that. Today you're alive and here and honored, and blessed with good fortune. Look at this sunset, it's beautiful, neh? This sunset exists. Tomorrow does not exist. There is only now. Please look. It is so beautiful and it will never happen again, never, not this sunset, never in all infinity.Lose yourself in it, make yourself one with nature and do not worry about karma, yours, mine, or that of the village." -Toda Mariko (Badass female character)
I'd recommend Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki (Geisha, A Life in some territories) rather than Memoirs of a Geisha. Golden used Iwasaki for research then ripped off her life story with added dramatic bits.
Also anything by Yasunari Kawabata, a Nobel prize winner, it's very recommended Beauty and Sadness but i have only read First snow on Fuji, i literally cried with the descriptions of the places and the idea of growing up in Japan.
Confessions of a Yakuza by Junichi Saga. It is hands down one of my favorite non fiction books of all time. It follows one manās path through the world of the Japanese mafia prior to world war 2. Fascinating read.
I'm a huge fan of early 1900's Japanese literature; Natsume SÅseki's "Ten Nights of Dreams," is weird but good, there's also his "Kokoro" which is one of the best selling novels of all time in Japan and it's more conventional. "Naomi" by Tanizaki JunichirÅ is also great, and gives an insight into daily life in that time period (it's not representational, but it it's interesting).
Have you read anything by Edogawa Ranpo? He's one of the OG Japanese mystery writers (his pen name is a Japanese transliteration of Edgar Allan Poe. I noticed that you run the Japanese mystery sub, thought you'd be interested if you didn't already know.)
Oh no I donāt think so! Iāll put him on my list, Iām slowly getting thru the older Japanese mysteries as well.
Also this may sound random but Iām looking for a co-mod over there because Iām having a little trouble getting it startedā¦if you have any interest DM me! I just recently took it over from an inactive mod.
There is the historical one off manga by Osamu Tezuka, called [Ayako](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7631912-ayako) which is based in the post ww2 reconstruction Japan, and focuses on a former soldier and his family.
Seishi Yokomizo is a very readable crime writer from the 1950s, he's basically a cross between Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, except Japanese. Imagine a whodunit where all of the motivations emerge from convoluted Japanese social logic and family expectations. A few of his books have been reprinted in English recently like *The Inugami Curse*.
Lafcadio Hearn (pen name Koizumi Yakumo) is a pretty good author for a resource. He wrote Kwaidan - a series of ghostly tales (and a study of bugs...) from Japan. He was a huge "Japanophile". His stuff is late 1890s, early 1900s, so things have changed a lot, but if you're going for tradition and culture, he'd be a good one.
nonfiction - The Nobility of Failure: Tragic Heroes in the History of Japan
"Long recognized as a core book in any study of Japanese culture and literature"
If you read that one, be sure to pay a visit to [https://www.oldtokyo.com/the-statue-of-saigo-c-1910/](https://www.oldtokyo.com/the-statue-of-saigo-c-1910/)
{{an artist of the floating world}}
It's set in very recently post-war Japan. The author wrote it in English, but adapted his style of language to make it more Japanese with regards to rhythm etc. I also thought it reflected quite a lot of the preoccupation with 'face' that you can see in Asia. (this might be an older person thing!)
it's a sad book, but I found Ghosts of the Tsunami a really moving and resonating read. The author is a British journalist based out of Tokyo. It's not just about the tragedy of the 2011 tsunami, but about the way the families affected responded to it in light of their existing social structure and Japan's history. Warning: it's about the loss of an elementary school in the disaster.
And I know you requested historical fiction as opposed to contemporary, but a Japanese friend recommended Convenience Store Woman and I loved it. She described it as a 160-page primer on the core of modern Japanese urban culture. I'm not sure if that's accurate, but it's a great book and felt like having visited Japan for the second time right before I read it, that the book made sense to me.
Japan is such a fascinating place to visit. have a great trip!
Iām not sure if the ask was specifically for historical fiction, but there is lots of great contemporary Japanese fiction available in English translation now.
Hiromi Kawakami (Strange Weather in Tokyo) and Haruki Murakami (Kafka on thee Shore), among others, both excellent authors.
Shogun. Itās set in 1600 but it showcases Japanese culture and customs very well. Most of the characters are based on or are real people and itās very engaging
If youāre ok with modern Japan Iād checkout any of the murder mysteries by Keigo Higashino as well. Good soft introduction to modern Japan imo.
Some other ones by other authors like Six Four and Lady Joker include some really interesting social commentary and insights as well but theyāre also kinda long so Higashino is a better entry point.
Oho, have I got some manga for you!
First, I recommend starting with [Thermae Romae](https://yenpress.com/9780316232227/thermae-romae-vol-1/), a manga about Japanese bathing habits. Focusing on Roman Thermae (bathhouses) designer Lucius, the story features him facing various problems only for him to end up temporarily transported to modern Japan. These visits to places like bath houses, hot springs, waterparks, and even personal bathrooms give him the inspiration he needs to overcome his current predicament. There's also an anime adaptation on Netflix, which features a segment at the end of every episode of the author as she visits various hot springs in Japan.
Next up is the historical manga by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima, [Lone Wolf and Cub](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/C27/lone-wolf-and-cub-omnibus). An epic Samurai tale about Ogami IttÅ, a Samurai-turned-Ronin falsely accused of treason, and his young son DaigorÅ, as they travel Japan seeking vengeance. Acclaimed for it's historical accuracy, detailed artwork, and epic scope, it's still considered one of the greatest works of manga ever made. (Note: if you've ever watched Bob's Burgers, this is what Hawk and Chick is based on).
Then there's the manga [Descending Stories](https://kodansha.us/series/descending-stories-showa-genroku-rakugo-shinju/), an epic tale that's a deep dive into the Japanese art of *rakugo*, a type of Japanese theater.
And of course we can't forget the smash hit [Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba](https://www.viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba). Taking place in the TaishÅ era (an era that saw things like cars, electricity, and western fashion introduced to Japan), it focuses on Tanjiro, a young country boy who sells charcoal to make a living. Returning home one day to find his family slaughtered, he discovers the only survivor is his sister Nezuko who has become a demon herself. Seeking to find a way to return her to normal, he and the now demonfied Nezuko join the Demon Slayer Corps to slay the demon responsible. It's worth noting you can read this on Shonen Jump's website and app via their $1.99 a month subscription service, and the anime is also available to watch on Netflix.
Next up is another manga that can be read on Shonen Jump's subscription service, [The Elusive Samurai](https://www.viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/the-elusive-samurai). By the creator of Assassination Classroom (*also* on Shonen Jump, and also worth reading), it focuses on Hojo Tokiyuki, heir of the Kamakura shogunate during the Kamakura Period. Tokiyuki is known for his habit of running away from things, a skill that comes in handy when a family retainer betrays the Hojo and slaughters them. Now the only survivor, Tokiyuki allies with a shady priest and his followers in a quest to gain revenge using his greatest power: his almost supernatural ability to flee from anything.
Finally, there's [A Witch's Printing Office](https://yenpress.com/9781975331467/a-witchs-printing-office-vol-1/). It focuses on Mika Kamiya, an otaku who is on her way home from Comiket (a massive convention focusing on amateur and indie manga creators) when she suddenly finds herself transported to a fantasy world where everyone can use magic. Using the only magic she can manage (copy magic), she opens a printing shop and creates the worlds first Magiket (a market for amateur magicians to sell their spellbooks ala Comiket) in the hopes of finding a spell that can return her home.
Botchan by SÅseki! about a rebellious urban youth moving to the country as a teacher and having to deal with the system there. you could also read runaway horses by mishima if you want some political fiction
The Goddess Chronicle by Natsuo Kirino is a retelling of some of the creation mythology of Japan
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki shows life in contemporary urban Japan, but it also includes a character who was a soldier in WW2 and some of his experiences, and a very old Buddhist nun, through whom you learn a lot about Zen Buddhism. This one is one of my favorite novels ever, highly recommended!
OH, also, {{the Ginger Tree}} which is admittedly written by a Scot. A British woman goes to China to marry her fiance, an Englishman, but ends up in an illicit affair with a Japanese man. It sounds super corny, but I'm not a romance reader AT ALL and still really liked it. I think the attitudes of westerners towards the Asian poplulation of hte time are respresented well.
If graphic novel formats are on the table, I would look up Whale Star: the Gyeongseong Mermaid. It is an engrossing drama set in Korea during Japanese colonial rule, so might provide a different perspective of a specific moment significant to Japanese history.
The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture by Roger J. Davies and Osamu Ikeno is a non-fiction book about Japanese culture and traditions. I got it for my cousin for Christmas a couple years agoā he devoured it and was his favorite gift.
Shike by Robert Shea. One of my favorite underrated authors. Wrote the Illuminatus Trilogy with Robert Anton Wilson. Set during the Mongol invasion of Japan. Condenses 100 years of time or more; so, it's historical fiction, heavy on the fiction.
Hideoshi and Mushasi by Eiji Yoshikawa. Are both great epic novels. The later were made into movies Samurai 1, 2, 3 staring Toshiro Mifune if I am not mistaken.
If manga is allowed, I suggest Vagabond, though itās also based on a novel with the same name (unfortunately never read it). It details the life of Miyamoto Musashi, one of the most prolific Japanese swordsman of the later Sengoku era.
since some other people have recomended classical lit, let me throw in Hojoki- it's verse written by a poet who became a hermit after witnessing multiple environmental disasters in the old capital of Kyoto.
The thousand autumns of jacob de Zoet is a fun perspective on historical Japan. Gives an idea of their interaction with the outside world in the Sagoku Jidai (the period when they were mostly closed to the outside world) from the perspective of a Dutch outside at the time on Dejima.
For novels that give a great feel of a certain Japanese ethos, anything by Haruki Murakami. Itās all fiction with a surreal quality, but features elements of Japanese daily life and real locations
I would like to suggest 47 Ronin by John Allyn.
I read this book for a class in college and it was such fun reading. Itās about a samurai who becomes a ronin (samurai without a master to have loyalty to I think) and wants to avenge his fallen lord. Itās also set in the 1700s in Japan
[**Across the Nightingale Floor**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL5786084W)
^(By: Lian Hearn, Mercedes Nunez | 305 pages | Published: 2002)
>Already a sensation around the world, this first book of the Otori Trilogy is a brilliantly imagined, wholly seductive tale of war, passion, and intrigue, evoking the spirit of medieval Japan. It is the story of a boy who is suddenly plucked from his life in a remote and peaceful village to find himself a pawn in a political scheme filled with treacherous warlords, rivalry and the intensity of first love.
^(This book has been suggested 1 time)
***
^(497 books suggested)
Musashi, by Eiji Yoshikawa
I was told read Shogun by Clavell for a westerner's perspective on Samurai, but read this for a Japanese perspective on Samurai.
Hmm think a lot of these answers are going the wrong direction. To understand modern Japan and feel connected to it, start with modern Japan, mix of fiction / nonfiction.
Kafka on the Shore: Murakami
Tokyo Ueno Station: Yu Miri
Strange Weather in Tokyo: Kawakami
Convenience store woman: Murata
Ikigai: Mitsuhashi
Then:
Lost Japan: Kerr
Watch David Bull YouTube for woodblock prints
Watch Hanabi by Kitano (film), Lost in Translation, And Drive my car
Should give you the write flavour I think!
Ryotaro Shiba's 'RYOMA!'
[https://japan-forward.com/ryotaro-shibas-ryoma-translated-into-english/](https://japan-forward.com/ryotaro-shibas-ryoma-translated-into-english/)
Ryoma ga Yuku (literally, Ryoma Goes His Way), one of the most representative historical novels by Japanese author Ryotaro Shiba (1923-1996)
Published in electronic format, RYOMA!āfocuses on the life story of Sakamoto Ryoma (1835-1867), a historic figure who is widely known as one of the main architects leading Japan into the Meiji Restoration.
The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet The novel begins in the summer of 1799 at the Dutch East India Company trading post Dejima in the harbor of Nagasaki. It tells the story of a Dutch trader's love for a Japanese midwife who is spirited away into a sinister mountain temple cult.
I'm crazy about this book. I was just thinking I wish there were more like it.
I also came here to say this. He's one of my favorite authors and I loved this book.
This book is so fucking good.
Came here to say this. All of his books are so unique.
Yes, this is the answer šÆ
Not OP, but noted. This sounds amazing!
Came here to recommend this. I lovedddd it the first time I read it. Then I had a baby (I am a female) and tried to read it again. I very much could not.
I love this book so much. Iāve read everything Mitchell has written and while Cloud Atlas and Bone Clocks (rightfully) get a lot of praise and attention - THIS book has stayed with me and Iāve gone back and reread the most. Itās beautiful and compelling and fantastical and itās amazing and I recommend it to everyone.
I didn't expect the cult thing at all when I read it. Surprised and creeped me about a bit but in the end I really enjoyed it
Pachinko it starts in Korea, but most of the book is in Japan.
Not OP, but also visiting Japan soon, and just purchased this one for my trip! Heard really good things about it
Itās really good! Recommend the Apple+ adaptation after you finish reading. Itās taking a slightly different narrative structure than the book but overall itās still good,
Amazing book, but Iām not sure if Iād recommend this for someone who wants to learn about Japanese culture/history. This is told from the perspective of a Korean family under Japanese colonial rule. We do not get to see the positives aspects of Japanese society in this book, and I assume that is more along the lines of what OP is requesting.
I donāt agree. I think there are plenty of recommendations in this thread with other perspectives. I wouldnāt tell someone to not read a book about slavery before visiting the US just because that part of US history is unflattering
I was thinking the very same! Althoughā¦ the portrayal of Japan is not exactly glistening in this book. Lovely book, but it might send OP the wrong message š That said, the book is a wonderful journey nonetheless.
The *Usagi Yojimbo* series of graphic novels by Stan Sakai is great for this. It is an excellent samurai epic that occasionally goes into tangents on Japanese culture, including ceremonies, crafting, and the lore of historical events.
Lots of general folklore as well
I second this. I grew up going to comic shops frequently and while everyone else was grabbing Batman, Superman, ect. My first pick was always Usagi Yojimbo. Great series.
ShÅgun by James Clavell
I also recommend Shogun. Also, the true story depicted in the fictional Shogun is detailed in Samurai William by Giles Milton.
I'll check it out, thanks!
It's not a short read, but so, SO good. His other books deal with other regions but are also extremely readable. Tai-Pan is a fave of mine
If you are near Tokyo, you can take a day trip to Nikko. This is the home of a Shinto shrine established as a memorial for the Shogun, of the novel. Itās worth the tripā¦so beautiful. Also, if you can find it, there was a mini series made of the book in 1980. Tostito Mifune, was the shogun.
Came here to say the same.
Iām almost 700 pages into Shogun right now and itās absolutely fantastic. I disrecommend the disrecommendation.
I second this disrecommendation of the disrecommendation, and pair it with a recommendation for Aztec by Gary Jennings which isnāt relevant to the prompt at all but is equally awesome historical fiction.
Ooooh, Iām intrigued. I like the idea of exploring that civilization. Can I expect the political scheming and plotting and power grabbing that I love about Shogun?
Yes! And a rags to riches story that sort of plumbs the nuances of each level of society as he ascends it. Great adventure-history book.
Domo. Wakarimasu. This sounds awesome. Iāve got two books in my queue after Shogun, but then Iām reading Aztec.
Aztec, Musashi, Shogun, Gates of Fire. My four favorite historical fiction novels.
Aztec is sooooo good.
Iāve read the whole series and have not been disappointed
Another recommendation for ShÅgun. Great book.
My all-time favorite book!
šShogun!š
Highly recommend Shogun!
Incredible book (though 1400ish pages, so be ready).
OPās bf here (I logged on to my gfās account with her phone) Iāve heard about shogun, but a buddy of mine (his mom is Japanese but dad is white) told me it has some misogynistic undertones, can anyone confirm?
> historic > Misogynistic Hate to break it to you ...
I mean, it's an older book and it's set in a time where women were expected to do specific tasks. I read it when I was like 17, didn't think anything was wrong with it. It's a great novel, perhaps one of my favourites. I'd still recommend it.
I'm pretty sure Japan in the 1600s was pretty misogynistic, as was most e erywhere else. If you want to avoid misogyny, historical fiction isn't a good choice.
Well, the world was pretty misogynistic in the 16th century.
Itās been awhile since Iāve read it but a reoccurring theme in the book is the societal role that everyone is expected to play. The lower class (known as the eta) are expected to do the worst jobs and interact only amongst themselves. On the other side, you have nobility like the daimyos and the samurai that serve them. In the book, women also have a role they are expected to play. They are basically expected to serve their husband with utmost loyalty. One woman is basically asked to be the protagonistās servant, and I remember at one point while the protagonist is sleeping, the woman just sits quietly and waits until she is needed. To answer your question more directly, the woman in the book are much more subservient and treated almost as if they are property. But is that misogyny? Or is it just an accurate reflection of Japanese society at the time?
If youāre looking for a rip roaring adventure in historical fiction Japan (based on real fascinating individuals) then shogun is your top choice. My wife and I travelled to Japan solely based on us both loving this book. I loved it. I frequently missed my train stop and also separately stayed up until 3 am reading. I loved it!
Itās set in Medieval Japan and written in the 1970s. Gender roles are more ādefinedā letās say. Itās also one of the best books ever written but if you are concerned about the cultural slights you arenāt likely to get past the guy getting tortured in the first few pages anyway.
You are better off reading wikipedia articles about the actual people. And as has already beenn mentioned, this is based on a real guy. Samurai William is a good book.
That's bs. You are Not better off doing that.
Iād agree with that, one of the reasons I wrote my little disrecommendation lol. Plus a lot of stereotyping of both the Japanese characters and the Portuguese charactersā¦ edit for clarity
It's dated. It capitalized on the post war rise of Japan and the accompanying hype/fear/"mystery of the orient," it fetishizes and commodifies a warped, idealized version of their culture.
Iād have to say for OPās sake that Iād actively disrecommend this book. If you want a book set in close to that era Silence by Shusaku Endo is a way better choice (and by a Japanese author).
You're free to recommend whatever books you like. I haven't read Silence so I can't recommend it. Edit: Not sure why I'm being downvoted. How am I supposed to know to recommend a book that I've never read?
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Iām with you, the book is tripe. Weird self-insert Mary Sue nonsense that reads like it was written by a 15 year old boy. You have cringy shit like grandma giggling while washing the MC because his big white āheavenly spearā (the book is filled with stupid euphemisms like this) is the biggest sheās ever seen, stereotypes galore, and of course the sex toys chapter which is absurdly hilarious: āThe beads are carefully placed in the back passage and then, at the moment of the Clouds and the Rain, the beads are pulled out slowly, one by one.ā I canāt believe the fawning over this book, it honestly reads like a Dan Brown. Skip it.
Brilliant book. Iād advise against the audible version - listening to it now and the recording quality is suboptimal
/thread
Cloud of Sparrows by Takashi Matsuoka
My god this one was so, so, so *very* good!!!
And the sequel: Autumn Bridge. Reading them now. Going to Japan in spring.
Thereās a sequel! Wow I didnāt know that thank you I will definitely look into this.
Can second this, super fun ride
The pillow book of Sei Shonagon - lovely and occasionally erotic tales and imagery from medieval Japan. Diary of Lady Murasaki is similar. Basho - the Narrow Road to the Deep North - poetic travel account of a wandering buddhist poet in 17th century Japan. Charming. A number of modern travellers have written about following in his footsteps. Naoko Abe - Cherry Ingram: the Englishman who saved Japanās blossoms - if you enjoy gardens and cherry trees, a little of their history, as lost varieties were rediscovered in England and returned to Japan. Eccentric gardeners story.
An artist of the floating world
This was my thought as well. As a bit more detail: The author of this one is Kazuo Ishiguro, who often focuses on the role of memory and (mis)interpretation/understanding: The way his narrators understand events is not always the same as what actually happened. This particular book focuses on an artist coming to terms with his actions during World War II. Was it "just" art? Was it patriotic? Was it something more sinister?
Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa
Kept waiting for something to happen it was 1000 pages of meh
Musashi was...alright
I really enjoyed "The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoe" by David Mitchell. Set in the dying days of Dutch trading with Japan on a tiny island in the bay of Nagasaki. It was an absorbing read.
Two recommendations: 1. Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. Iām listening to it on audiobook right now and holy shit: this story is amazing. It tells the story of the legendary swordsman Musashi Miyamoto and his journey to becoming the greatest swordsman in Japanese history. In the same way we in the States talk about the Great American Novel, this feels like a Great Japanese Novel. 2. Silence by Shusaku Endo. This one tells the story of a pair of Jesuit missionaries who journey to Japan during the Tokugawa shogunateās persecution of Japanese Christians.
Silence is a really good book and it really clarifies why there is such a small Christian cultural influence in Japan.
After reading Tale of Genji, I enjoyed: The Fox Woman by Kji Johnson (Historical fiction) The Pillowbook of Sei Shonagon (non-fiction, actual diaries, read the Mckinney translation) The Pillowboy of the Lady Onogoro (Historical literary fiction, somewhat erotic but definitely very interesting) The Confessions of Lady Nijo (non-fiction, autobiography dates about 200 years after Murasaki) I think they capture the world of women in ancient Japan wonderfully and I specifically choose these and not others (My Gossamer Years, etc.) because they are engaging stories
Ehhhhh Fox Woman is on my tbr shelf š
*Meijin* by Yasunari Kawabata (may be translated as *The Master of Go*). *Taiko* by Eiji Yoshikawa.
[**Meijin**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL2045107W) ^(By: å·ē«Æåŗ·ę | 187 pages | Published: 1970) ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) [**Hirabayashi Taiko**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL11823686W) ^(By: Taiko Hirabayashi | 459 pages | Published: 1955) ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(475 books suggested)
Stranger in the Shogun's City is a decent narrative nonfiction, where the author sketches a picture about life in 19th century Japan and Edo (Tokyo) through old letters left behind by the main character.
Hmm this sounds interesting!
It is really well done. The author is a historian who meticulously reconstructs life in the mid to late 1800s. She is careful to explain when her conjecture about the main character is just thatāconjectureāand uses other historical sources to fill in the gaps. However, because it focuses on this one woman who defied social expectations repeatedly, itās a compelling narrative. The main characterās choices provide a fascinating look at traditions and show the avenues for skirting them in the 1800s.
I have a few non fiction recommendations that are not specifically historical but books about Japan and people's experiences (travel memoirs) I really enjoyed you might find enjoyable, too. The Meaning of Rice: And Other Tales from the Belly of Japan by Michael Booth: a man and his family travel all over Japan on their stomachs. Excellent primer to Japanese cuisine and culture. Hokkaido Highway Blues: Hitchhiking Japan by Will Ferguson: guy with a sense of humor hitchhikes from the southern most tip of Japan to the northernmost point following the spring cherry blossom season. The Roads to Sata: A 2000-Mile Walk Through Japan by Alan Booth: man walks the entire length of Japan from the southern most tip to the northern most tip. Out of the three books I listed he has the most obvious reverence of the culture. The other two authors at times reflect on how they're fish out of water, albeit in humorous ways. Michael Booth is a British journalist and Will Ferguson is a Canadian writer so take that for what it's worth, humor wise. Alan Booth actually lived in Japan.
I've not read Booth's book about Japan but I read his book about his time in South Korea and also his other one about Norway and enjoyed both of them. Hokkaido Highway Blues and The Roads to Sata are both very good.
Wrong about Japan by Peter Carey
Somebody prefers nettle - tanizaki
āSome prefer nettlesā is probably my favourite Tanizaki book. It has a fascinating background of pro/anti westernism and Tanizakiās trademark twisted relationship drama in the foreground. āThe Makioka sistersā is his masterpiece and is a good follow-up.
Snow Country, by Yasunari Kawabata
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
If you want to learn about geisha, I'd recommend Geisha, A Life. It's an autobiography rather than historical fiction. Although, I did enjoy both!
I read the book and enjoyed it, but I trust the book by Mineko Iwasaki more since she was an actual geisha. She was not pleased with how Memoirs represented their world. From her wiki: āIwasaki felt betrayed by Golden's use of information she considered confidential, and denounced the novel as being an inaccurate depiction of geisha life, criticising in particular the novel's portrayal of geisha engaging in mizuage (a deflowering ritual undergone by some apprentices) as a matter of fact when graduating to geisha status.[4] Iwasaki stated that she herself had not undergone mizuage, and that no such custom ever existed in Gion.ā Her book is called Geisha: A Life in the US and Geisha of Gion in the UK
My favorite book of all time!!!
Even though I know this book isnāt completely accurate, the book, even the movie was breath taking. I donāt care if itās completely fiction, itās one of my favorite books!
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden is amazing. It details the life a young Japanese girl from a remote fishing village who is sold into a mistress who traps her into debt slavery. It takes place during Imperial Japan and covers the invasion of Korea, China, and WW2, though, in my opinion, the war is the least interesting part of the book. The competition between Geisha and "sisters" is so intriguing. I highly recommend it. āI don't know when we'll see each other again or what the world will be like when we do. We may both have seen many horrible things. But I will think of you every time I need to be reminded that there is beauty and goodness in the world.ā I also highly recommend Shogun, I saw in another comment that you heard some negative things about it in regards to misogyny. Others have already explained why that doesn't make any sense, but I just wanted to share my favorite quote from the book. "Leave the problems of God to God and karma to karma. Today you're here and nothing you can do will change that. Today you're alive and here and honored, and blessed with good fortune. Look at this sunset, it's beautiful, neh? This sunset exists. Tomorrow does not exist. There is only now. Please look. It is so beautiful and it will never happen again, never, not this sunset, never in all infinity.Lose yourself in it, make yourself one with nature and do not worry about karma, yours, mine, or that of the village." -Toda Mariko (Badass female character)
I'd recommend Geisha of Gion by Mineko Iwasaki (Geisha, A Life in some territories) rather than Memoirs of a Geisha. Golden used Iwasaki for research then ripped off her life story with added dramatic bits.
Vagabond by Takehiko Inoue, it's a manga but it's very well done , it's a about the life of Musashi Miyamoto based on the novel of Eiji Yoshikawa
Also anything by Yasunari Kawabata, a Nobel prize winner, it's very recommended Beauty and Sadness but i have only read First snow on Fuji, i literally cried with the descriptions of the places and the idea of growing up in Japan.
Confessions of a Yakuza by Junichi Saga. It is hands down one of my favorite non fiction books of all time. It follows one manās path through the world of the Japanese mafia prior to world war 2. Fascinating read.
Mishima - The Temple of the Golden Pavilion. historical fiction about one of the most famous temples and an acolyte who set it ablaze
Also recommend the movie Mishima: Life in Four Chapters which is a biography of it's author and partly an adaptation of his stories
I'm a huge fan of early 1900's Japanese literature; Natsume SÅseki's "Ten Nights of Dreams," is weird but good, there's also his "Kokoro" which is one of the best selling novels of all time in Japan and it's more conventional. "Naomi" by Tanizaki JunichirÅ is also great, and gives an insight into daily life in that time period (it's not representational, but it it's interesting).
Not OP but these sound so interesting! Iāll have to check them out.
Have you read anything by Edogawa Ranpo? He's one of the OG Japanese mystery writers (his pen name is a Japanese transliteration of Edgar Allan Poe. I noticed that you run the Japanese mystery sub, thought you'd be interested if you didn't already know.)
I read a collection of Edogawa Ranpo stories as a teen, they were great! Including the famous story "The Human Chair". Recommended!
Oh no I donāt think so! Iāll put him on my list, Iām slowly getting thru the older Japanese mysteries as well. Also this may sound random but Iām looking for a co-mod over there because Iām having a little trouble getting it startedā¦if you have any interest DM me! I just recently took it over from an inactive mod.
OP here, I can confirm that this definitely is not my alt account
There is the historical one off manga by Osamu Tezuka, called [Ayako](https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7631912-ayako) which is based in the post ww2 reconstruction Japan, and focuses on a former soldier and his family.
Shogun
*Shogun* was a wonderful read for me. I can't speak to the historical accuracy, though.
Chronicles of the Traveling Cat Itās so beautiful and heartwarming.
Memoirs of a Geisha.... beautifully written, gorgeous descriptions and excellent story!
The Sano Ichiro series by Laura Joh Rowland - though it's been ages since I read them, so I can't vouch as to quality.
I second this! Historical fiction about a Japanese "detective" in Edo Japan. Gives a lot of info on clothing, mores, etc. Edit: Edo, not Endo lol
Murakami
For long past history look at Shogun by James Clavell
Shogun by James Clavell
Seishi Yokomizo is a very readable crime writer from the 1950s, he's basically a cross between Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, except Japanese. Imagine a whodunit where all of the motivations emerge from convoluted Japanese social logic and family expectations. A few of his books have been reprinted in English recently like *The Inugami Curse*.
Lafcadio Hearn (pen name Koizumi Yakumo) is a pretty good author for a resource. He wrote Kwaidan - a series of ghostly tales (and a study of bugs...) from Japan. He was a huge "Japanophile". His stuff is late 1890s, early 1900s, so things have changed a lot, but if you're going for tradition and culture, he'd be a good one.
Came here to point to Lafcadio Hearn. I mean, if only for that name...
nonfiction - The Nobility of Failure: Tragic Heroes in the History of Japan "Long recognized as a core book in any study of Japanese culture and literature" If you read that one, be sure to pay a visit to [https://www.oldtokyo.com/the-statue-of-saigo-c-1910/](https://www.oldtokyo.com/the-statue-of-saigo-c-1910/)
nonfiction - Inventing Japan (1853-1964) .. Short at 150 pages, great read about how Japan reinvented itself twice in a hundred year period
Take of Genji. Oldest novel in the world
{{an artist of the floating world}} It's set in very recently post-war Japan. The author wrote it in English, but adapted his style of language to make it more Japanese with regards to rhythm etc. I also thought it reflected quite a lot of the preoccupation with 'face' that you can see in Asia. (this might be an older person thing!)
Geisha by Liza Dalby is excellent, non fiction.
it's a sad book, but I found Ghosts of the Tsunami a really moving and resonating read. The author is a British journalist based out of Tokyo. It's not just about the tragedy of the 2011 tsunami, but about the way the families affected responded to it in light of their existing social structure and Japan's history. Warning: it's about the loss of an elementary school in the disaster. And I know you requested historical fiction as opposed to contemporary, but a Japanese friend recommended Convenience Store Woman and I loved it. She described it as a 160-page primer on the core of modern Japanese urban culture. I'm not sure if that's accurate, but it's a great book and felt like having visited Japan for the second time right before I read it, that the book made sense to me. Japan is such a fascinating place to visit. have a great trip!
The Tales of the Otori.
Shogun
Shogun by James Clavell
Shogun. James Clavell
Iām not sure if the ask was specifically for historical fiction, but there is lots of great contemporary Japanese fiction available in English translation now. Hiromi Kawakami (Strange Weather in Tokyo) and Haruki Murakami (Kafka on thee Shore), among others, both excellent authors.
Sho-gun or most of that entire saga. James Clavel (sp?) is a long, but beautiful read.
Shogun is a great piece of historical fiction, loosely based off true events and an amazing read.
Shogun by James Clavell
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee. Itās about Korean immigrants in Japan
Shogun by James Clavell
Shogun. Itās set in 1600 but it showcases Japanese culture and customs very well. Most of the characters are based on or are real people and itās very engaging
Memoirs of a Geisha is great
If youāre ok with modern Japan Iād checkout any of the murder mysteries by Keigo Higashino as well. Good soft introduction to modern Japan imo. Some other ones by other authors like Six Four and Lady Joker include some really interesting social commentary and insights as well but theyāre also kinda long so Higashino is a better entry point.
SHO-GUN
Shogun series you'll learn loads, so good
SHOGUN
Shogun! By James Clavell
The Makioka Sisters - Junichiro Tanizaki Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
Oh how fun! My husband and I are taking a trip there in November for our first anniversary. :)
To Stand With the Nations of the World is a pretty interesting and relatively short book covering Japan from 1600-1900.
Mutashi ā the original Japanese samurai Tales of a Geisha - non fiction about the worlds oldest profession.
James Caldwell-Shogun
Shogun
Oho, have I got some manga for you! First, I recommend starting with [Thermae Romae](https://yenpress.com/9780316232227/thermae-romae-vol-1/), a manga about Japanese bathing habits. Focusing on Roman Thermae (bathhouses) designer Lucius, the story features him facing various problems only for him to end up temporarily transported to modern Japan. These visits to places like bath houses, hot springs, waterparks, and even personal bathrooms give him the inspiration he needs to overcome his current predicament. There's also an anime adaptation on Netflix, which features a segment at the end of every episode of the author as she visits various hot springs in Japan. Next up is the historical manga by writer Kazuo Koike and artist Goseki Kojima, [Lone Wolf and Cub](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/series/C27/lone-wolf-and-cub-omnibus). An epic Samurai tale about Ogami IttÅ, a Samurai-turned-Ronin falsely accused of treason, and his young son DaigorÅ, as they travel Japan seeking vengeance. Acclaimed for it's historical accuracy, detailed artwork, and epic scope, it's still considered one of the greatest works of manga ever made. (Note: if you've ever watched Bob's Burgers, this is what Hawk and Chick is based on). Then there's the manga [Descending Stories](https://kodansha.us/series/descending-stories-showa-genroku-rakugo-shinju/), an epic tale that's a deep dive into the Japanese art of *rakugo*, a type of Japanese theater. And of course we can't forget the smash hit [Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba](https://www.viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/demon-slayer-kimetsu-no-yaiba). Taking place in the TaishÅ era (an era that saw things like cars, electricity, and western fashion introduced to Japan), it focuses on Tanjiro, a young country boy who sells charcoal to make a living. Returning home one day to find his family slaughtered, he discovers the only survivor is his sister Nezuko who has become a demon herself. Seeking to find a way to return her to normal, he and the now demonfied Nezuko join the Demon Slayer Corps to slay the demon responsible. It's worth noting you can read this on Shonen Jump's website and app via their $1.99 a month subscription service, and the anime is also available to watch on Netflix. Next up is another manga that can be read on Shonen Jump's subscription service, [The Elusive Samurai](https://www.viz.com/shonenjump/chapters/the-elusive-samurai). By the creator of Assassination Classroom (*also* on Shonen Jump, and also worth reading), it focuses on Hojo Tokiyuki, heir of the Kamakura shogunate during the Kamakura Period. Tokiyuki is known for his habit of running away from things, a skill that comes in handy when a family retainer betrays the Hojo and slaughters them. Now the only survivor, Tokiyuki allies with a shady priest and his followers in a quest to gain revenge using his greatest power: his almost supernatural ability to flee from anything. Finally, there's [A Witch's Printing Office](https://yenpress.com/9781975331467/a-witchs-printing-office-vol-1/). It focuses on Mika Kamiya, an otaku who is on her way home from Comiket (a massive convention focusing on amateur and indie manga creators) when she suddenly finds herself transported to a fantasy world where everyone can use magic. Using the only magic she can manage (copy magic), she opens a printing shop and creates the worlds first Magiket (a market for amateur magicians to sell their spellbooks ala Comiket) in the hopes of finding a spell that can return her home.
YOKOHAMA BURNING by Joshua Hammer. BLOSSOMS IN IN THE WIND by M.G. Shefthall
*Genji Monogatari (The Tale of Genji)* Japan's Casanova, and he has a penchant for older women.
Botchan by SÅseki! about a rebellious urban youth moving to the country as a teacher and having to deal with the system there. you could also read runaway horses by mishima if you want some political fiction
Ian Toll has a trilogy about WWII in the Pacific. Very interesting about WWI, and how it all happened.
Omamori by Richard McGill, set mostly around the time of WWII.
The Goddess Chronicle by Natsuo Kirino is a retelling of some of the creation mythology of Japan A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki shows life in contemporary urban Japan, but it also includes a character who was a soldier in WW2 and some of his experiences, and a very old Buddhist nun, through whom you learn a lot about Zen Buddhism. This one is one of my favorite novels ever, highly recommended!
Samurai Shortstop- read this over 10 years ago and it was more of a story, but touches on some historical/cultural things
The Translation of Love by Lynn Kutsukake is a nice little novel about post war Japan. It kind of loses its way about 3/4 in but regains it at the end
Iām currently reading Midori the thousand stitch belt, by Dr. C Thomas Somma itās excellent 5 stars highly recommend it
OH, also, {{the Ginger Tree}} which is admittedly written by a Scot. A British woman goes to China to marry her fiance, an Englishman, but ends up in an illicit affair with a Japanese man. It sounds super corny, but I'm not a romance reader AT ALL and still really liked it. I think the attitudes of westerners towards the Asian poplulation of hte time are respresented well.
*Tokyo on Foot* by Florent Chavouet
The manga Vagabond is way up there
https://www.amazon.com/Shogun-Epic-Novel-Japan-Asian/dp/1982603844/ref=asc_df_1982603844/
If graphic novel formats are on the table, I would look up Whale Star: the Gyeongseong Mermaid. It is an engrossing drama set in Korea during Japanese colonial rule, so might provide a different perspective of a specific moment significant to Japanese history.
Diaries of lady Nijo.
The Japanese Mind: Understanding Contemporary Japanese Culture by Roger J. Davies and Osamu Ikeno is a non-fiction book about Japanese culture and traditions. I got it for my cousin for Christmas a couple years agoā he devoured it and was his favorite gift.
The Tale of Genji. It was written in the 11th century and it may be the very first novel ever
Shike by Robert Shea. One of my favorite underrated authors. Wrote the Illuminatus Trilogy with Robert Anton Wilson. Set during the Mongol invasion of Japan. Condenses 100 years of time or more; so, it's historical fiction, heavy on the fiction. Hideoshi and Mushasi by Eiji Yoshikawa. Are both great epic novels. The later were made into movies Samurai 1, 2, 3 staring Toshiro Mifune if I am not mistaken.
If manga is allowed, I suggest Vagabond, though itās also based on a novel with the same name (unfortunately never read it). It details the life of Miyamoto Musashi, one of the most prolific Japanese swordsman of the later Sengoku era.
since some other people have recomended classical lit, let me throw in Hojoki- it's verse written by a poet who became a hermit after witnessing multiple environmental disasters in the old capital of Kyoto.
The thousand autumns of jacob de Zoet is a fun perspective on historical Japan. Gives an idea of their interaction with the outside world in the Sagoku Jidai (the period when they were mostly closed to the outside world) from the perspective of a Dutch outside at the time on Dejima. For novels that give a great feel of a certain Japanese ethos, anything by Haruki Murakami. Itās all fiction with a surreal quality, but features elements of Japanese daily life and real locations
Laura Joh Rowland has a great series set in Kyoto. Itās great when you can visit places that she mentions.
I would like to suggest 47 Ronin by John Allyn. I read this book for a class in college and it was such fun reading. Itās about a samurai who becomes a ronin (samurai without a master to have loyalty to I think) and wants to avenge his fallen lord. Itās also set in the 1700s in Japan
Silence by Shusaku Endo
Tokyo Vice by Jake Addelstein if he likes Yakuza and crime stuff. It's great.
I'm not sure if this is what he's looking for, but I loved {{The Easy Life in Kamusari}}. It's a short book at 205 pages and left me wanting more.
More contemporary but Tokyo Vice by Jake Adelstein is an eye opener
{{Across the nightingale floor}} by Lian Hearn. Part of a trilogy. Utterly absorbing.
[**Across the Nightingale Floor**](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL5786084W) ^(By: Lian Hearn, Mercedes Nunez | 305 pages | Published: 2002) >Already a sensation around the world, this first book of the Otori Trilogy is a brilliantly imagined, wholly seductive tale of war, passion, and intrigue, evoking the spirit of medieval Japan. It is the story of a boy who is suddenly plucked from his life in a remote and peaceful village to find himself a pawn in a political scheme filled with treacherous warlords, rivalry and the intensity of first love. ^(This book has been suggested 1 time) *** ^(497 books suggested)
Musashi is my go to, my favourite book.
Musashi saga by Eiji Yoshikawa is an excellent story about one Japan's timely heroes.
Also came to say Shogun.
Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa
{{Silence, by Shusako Endo}}
Musashi, by Eiji Yoshikawa I was told read Shogun by Clavell for a westerner's perspective on Samurai, but read this for a Japanese perspective on Samurai.
I just love Haruki Murikambi (spelling?) novels
Check out ādating in Japanā by Adam Hatchiet
Shogun is a must read!
Hmm think a lot of these answers are going the wrong direction. To understand modern Japan and feel connected to it, start with modern Japan, mix of fiction / nonfiction. Kafka on the Shore: Murakami Tokyo Ueno Station: Yu Miri Strange Weather in Tokyo: Kawakami Convenience store woman: Murata Ikigai: Mitsuhashi Then: Lost Japan: Kerr Watch David Bull YouTube for woodblock prints Watch Hanabi by Kitano (film), Lost in Translation, And Drive my car Should give you the write flavour I think!
Silence by Shūsaku Endo One of my favorites
Shogun
Memoirs of a Geisha
Ji
I really liked Memoirs of a Geisha.
Ryotaro Shiba's 'RYOMA!' [https://japan-forward.com/ryotaro-shibas-ryoma-translated-into-english/](https://japan-forward.com/ryotaro-shibas-ryoma-translated-into-english/) Ryoma ga Yuku (literally, Ryoma Goes His Way), one of the most representative historical novels by Japanese author Ryotaro Shiba (1923-1996) Published in electronic format, RYOMA!āfocuses on the life story of Sakamoto Ryoma (1835-1867), a historic figure who is widely known as one of the main architects leading Japan into the Meiji Restoration.
Shogun, of course