Read Japanese Literature
@readjapaneseliterature.com
a podcast about Japanese fiction + some of its best works | posting updates on new Japanese fiction | apologies for the typos | blocking new follows that look like bots | DON’T buy or read AI translations | all stories are political
Pinned
Read Japanese Literature is a podcast and resource site about Japanese lit and some of its best works. Follow this account for updates about the podcast, booklists of translated lit, and updates on new English-languages releases.
Remember to fill out your profile before you follow folks. ☺️
Remember to fill out your profile before you follow folks. ☺️
Preparation is almost finished for RJL’s upcoming episode on the Japanese cell phone novel.
Expect a story about novels told in screen-sized chunks, a loving homage to early 00s internet culture, and a true* tale of an otaku who needed a little courage.
(*It’s probably not true.)
Expect a story about novels told in screen-sized chunks, a loving homage to early 00s internet culture, and a true* tale of an otaku who needed a little courage.
(*It’s probably not true.)
Train Man: The Novel
Check out Train Man: The Novel - <b>An instant bestseller when it was first published in Japan, <i>Train Man</i> became a multimedia sensation, generating a smash-hit TV series, a blockbuster film, an...
bookshop.org
December 9, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Preparation is almost finished for RJL’s upcoming episode on the Japanese cell phone novel.
Expect a story about novels told in screen-sized chunks, a loving homage to early 00s internet culture, and a true* tale of an otaku who needed a little courage.
(*It’s probably not true.)
Expect a story about novels told in screen-sized chunks, a loving homage to early 00s internet culture, and a true* tale of an otaku who needed a little courage.
(*It’s probably not true.)
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Ready for some seasonal listening? Revist last year's Christmas in Japanese Literature episode.
Why Christmas is celebrated in Japan at all?
How is Christmas is celebrated in Japan?
What part does Christmas seems to play in Japanese literature?
Why Christmas is celebrated in Japan at all?
How is Christmas is celebrated in Japan?
What part does Christmas seems to play in Japanese literature?
Episode 41—Christmas in Japanese Literature - Read Japanese Literature
Happy 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…
https://readjapaneseliterature.com/Podcast/Episode+41—Christmas+in+Japanese+Literature
December 8, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Ready for some seasonal listening? Revist last year's Christmas in Japanese Literature episode.
Why Christmas is celebrated in Japan at all?
How is Christmas is celebrated in Japan?
What part does Christmas seems to play in Japanese literature?
Why Christmas is celebrated in Japan at all?
How is Christmas is celebrated in Japan?
What part does Christmas seems to play in Japanese literature?
Ready for some seasonal listening? Revist last year's Christmas in Japanese Literature episode.
Why Christmas is celebrated in Japan at all?
How is Christmas is celebrated in Japan?
What part does Christmas seems to play in Japanese literature?
Why Christmas is celebrated in Japan at all?
How is Christmas is celebrated in Japan?
What part does Christmas seems to play in Japanese literature?
Episode 41—Christmas in Japanese Literature - Read Japanese Literature
Happy 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…
https://readjapaneseliterature.com/Podcast/Episode+41—Christmas+in+Japanese+Literature
December 8, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Ready for some seasonal listening? Revist last year's Christmas in Japanese Literature episode.
Why Christmas is celebrated in Japan at all?
How is Christmas is celebrated in Japan?
What part does Christmas seems to play in Japanese literature?
Why Christmas is celebrated in Japan at all?
How is Christmas is celebrated in Japan?
What part does Christmas seems to play in Japanese literature?
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
An incredible, insightful book (and one of our favourite covers!): "Intersex Figures in Modern Japanese Literature and Art" explores how artists used non-heteronormative bodies and sexualities to resist authoritative dicta. 🗾
@conditionedsoul.bsky.social
@uofmpress.bsky.social
bit.ly/48c2H9W
@conditionedsoul.bsky.social
@uofmpress.bsky.social
bit.ly/48c2H9W
December 8, 2025 at 1:02 PM
An incredible, insightful book (and one of our favourite covers!): "Intersex Figures in Modern Japanese Literature and Art" explores how artists used non-heteronormative bodies and sexualities to resist authoritative dicta. 🗾
@conditionedsoul.bsky.social
@uofmpress.bsky.social
bit.ly/48c2H9W
@conditionedsoul.bsky.social
@uofmpress.bsky.social
bit.ly/48c2H9W
Highly recommended!
UK people, it's your chance to give the gift of ✨dilemmas✨!
Virago has it on sale for 25% off ✨
www.instagram.com/p/DR_ky1UjhDZ/
Virago has it on sale for 25% off ✨
www.instagram.com/p/DR_ky1UjhDZ/
December 8, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Highly recommended!
Sending positive thoughts to Japan and especially Aomori Prefecture.
A large earthquake, currently measured at magnitude 7.2, has just hit off Aomori Prefecture. A tsunami advisory is in effect for southern Hokkaido and northeastern Tohoku. The earthquake was strong enough to be faintly perceived all the way in Tokyo.
December 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Sending positive thoughts to Japan and especially Aomori Prefecture.
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
🙏🍀'THE SEVEN GODS OF FORTUNE' (七福神)🪙💸
O New Year's god
this year too
send help!
とし神やことしも御世話下さるる
-Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶).
Trans. David Lanoue.
As the year draws to a close, images of seven cheerful figures (often riding a treasure laden boat) begin to appear all over Japan.
#七福神 #sevengodsoffortune
O New Year's god
this year too
send help!
とし神やことしも御世話下さるる
-Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶).
Trans. David Lanoue.
As the year draws to a close, images of seven cheerful figures (often riding a treasure laden boat) begin to appear all over Japan.
#七福神 #sevengodsoffortune
December 8, 2025 at 1:24 AM
🙏🍀'THE SEVEN GODS OF FORTUNE' (七福神)🪙💸
O New Year's god
this year too
send help!
とし神やことしも御世話下さるる
-Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶).
Trans. David Lanoue.
As the year draws to a close, images of seven cheerful figures (often riding a treasure laden boat) begin to appear all over Japan.
#七福神 #sevengodsoffortune
O New Year's god
this year too
send help!
とし神やことしも御世話下さるる
-Kobayashi Issa (小林一茶).
Trans. David Lanoue.
As the year draws to a close, images of seven cheerful figures (often riding a treasure laden boat) begin to appear all over Japan.
#七福神 #sevengodsoffortune
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
The Curse of the Colonel
(And a weird holiday bonus…)
NEW EPISODE - Supernatural Japan 🇯🇵 🎤
Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
#Japan #Osaka #HanshinTigers #weird #urbanlegends #folklore #history
(And a weird holiday bonus…)
NEW EPISODE - Supernatural Japan 🇯🇵 🎤
Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
#Japan #Osaka #HanshinTigers #weird #urbanlegends #folklore #history
December 7, 2025 at 12:40 AM
The Curse of the Colonel
(And a weird holiday bonus…)
NEW EPISODE - Supernatural Japan 🇯🇵 🎤
Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
#Japan #Osaka #HanshinTigers #weird #urbanlegends #folklore #history
(And a weird holiday bonus…)
NEW EPISODE - Supernatural Japan 🇯🇵 🎤
Apple Podcasts:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
#Japan #Osaka #HanshinTigers #weird #urbanlegends #folklore #history
My review of Grave of the Fireflies:
“…the novella isn’t nearly as gut-wrenching as its visual counterpart. Instead, the narrator tells the story with matter-of-fact detachment that stirs up different emotions altogether.”
“…the novella isn’t nearly as gut-wrenching as its visual counterpart. Instead, the narrator tells the story with matter-of-fact detachment that stirs up different emotions altogether.”
Today in the ARB: @alisonfincher.bsky.social reviews “Grave of the Fireflies” by Akiyuki Nosaka, tr from Japanese by Ginny Tapely Takemori (Penguin Classics) asianreviewofbooks.com/grave-of-the...
December 6, 2025 at 3:09 PM
My review of Grave of the Fireflies:
“…the novella isn’t nearly as gut-wrenching as its visual counterpart. Instead, the narrator tells the story with matter-of-fact detachment that stirs up different emotions altogether.”
“…the novella isn’t nearly as gut-wrenching as its visual counterpart. Instead, the narrator tells the story with matter-of-fact detachment that stirs up different emotions altogether.”
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Looking for a great Christmasy read? Look no further!
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
Christmas in Japanese Literature - Read Japanese Literature
images/Book-ListChristmas-in-Japanese-literature.png Christmas originated as a Christian holiday, but it’s still celebrated in Japan—a country where somewhere between one and two percent of the count…
readjapaneseliterature.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Looking for a great Christmasy read? Look no further!
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Here’s my Spotify Wrapped 🎵✨
December 3, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Here’s my Spotify Wrapped 🎵✨
Looking for a great Christmasy read? Look no further!
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
Christmas in Japanese Literature - Read Japanese Literature
images/Book-ListChristmas-in-Japanese-literature.png Christmas originated as a Christian holiday, but it’s still celebrated in Japan—a country where somewhere between one and two percent of the count…
readjapaneseliterature.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Looking for a great Christmasy read? Look no further!
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
RJL has a list of almost two dozen Japanese books where the holiday plays a significant role.
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
December is upon us, and what better movie is there to get you in that holiday mood than Kon Satoshi's Tokyo Godfathers? Heartfelt, hilarious, and even thrilling, it's our pick as one of the top Christmas films of all time. Learn more in our video essay exploring the film!
youtu.be/7o0RVtSoGTo
youtu.be/7o0RVtSoGTo
Tokyo Godfathers: Kon Satoshi’s Anime Christmas Classic
YouTube video by Unseen Japan
youtu.be
December 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
December is upon us, and what better movie is there to get you in that holiday mood than Kon Satoshi's Tokyo Godfathers? Heartfelt, hilarious, and even thrilling, it's our pick as one of the top Christmas films of all time. Learn more in our video essay exploring the film!
youtu.be/7o0RVtSoGTo
youtu.be/7o0RVtSoGTo
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Stuart Lloyd reviews “Spring Castle”, historical fiction by Michiko Ishimure tr by Bruce Allen (Tuttle) asianreviewofbooks.com/spring-castl...
December 4, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Stuart Lloyd reviews “Spring Castle”, historical fiction by Michiko Ishimure tr by Bruce Allen (Tuttle) asianreviewofbooks.com/spring-castl...
Looking for a gift for a Japanese literature aficionado in your life? Buying yourself something special for the holidays?
Consider picking up one or more of the books we've covered together on the RJL podcast.
Consider picking up one or more of the books we've covered together on the RJL podcast.
Read Japanese Literature Podcast
Read Japanese Literature is a podcast about Japanese literature and some of its best works. Find out more at ReadJapaneseLiterature.com.
bookshop.org
December 2, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Looking for a gift for a Japanese literature aficionado in your life? Buying yourself something special for the holidays?
Consider picking up one or more of the books we've covered together on the RJL podcast.
Consider picking up one or more of the books we've covered together on the RJL podcast.
RJL’s list of New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases for 2026 is now available!
2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases - Read Japanese Literature
About this list: what's included, possible changesIt does not include most manga, light novels, or picture books. Listed released dates listed are tentative. Descriptions are excerpted from book sell…
readjapaneseliterature.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:17 PM
RJL’s list of New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases for 2026 is now available!
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Do you dream of sharing your love of Japanese literature with the perfect translated book? Read Japanese Literature has 15 recommendations to cover everyone on your list.
Japanese Books to Give for the Holidays
Do you dream of sharing your love of Japanese literature with the perfect translated book?
bookshop.org
November 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Do you dream of sharing your love of Japanese literature with the perfect translated book? Read Japanese Literature has 15 recommendations to cover everyone on your list.
Do you dream of sharing your love of Japanese literature with the perfect translated book? Read Japanese Literature has 15 recommendations to cover everyone on your list.
Japanese Books to Give for the Holidays
Do you dream of sharing your love of Japanese literature with the perfect translated book?
bookshop.org
November 28, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Do you dream of sharing your love of Japanese literature with the perfect translated book? Read Japanese Literature has 15 recommendations to cover everyone on your list.
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Good literary translation requires understanding (language, culture, genre--on both sides of the translation) and an ability to write well. "AI" can't do that. There are no shortcuts. Treat your work and foreign language readers with the respect they deserve. You won't fool anyone with this.
Amazon has launched a new AI-driven translation service, Kindle Translate, for Kindle Direct Publishing authors 👇 #BookSky
Amazon launches AI translation service for indie authors
ebx.sh
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Good literary translation requires understanding (language, culture, genre--on both sides of the translation) and an ability to write well. "AI" can't do that. There are no shortcuts. Treat your work and foreign language readers with the respect they deserve. You won't fool anyone with this.
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Sachiko Kashiwaba joined me for this video about THE VILLAGE BEYOND THE MIST on Libby & Sora Reads. Look for Kashiwaba-san 40 seconds in! ❤️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JuG...
Libby & Sora Reads (November 18 - December 2) PICK!
YouTube video by Sora, by OverDrive
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Sachiko Kashiwaba joined me for this video about THE VILLAGE BEYOND THE MIST on Libby & Sora Reads. Look for Kashiwaba-san 40 seconds in! ❤️ www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JuG...
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
I don’t want to undermine the economic blackout or We Ain’t Buying It campaign, so I’m releasing the 2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases list a little early this year. Please enjoy!
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I don’t want to undermine the economic blackout or We Ain’t Buying It campaign, so I’m releasing the 2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases list a little early this year. Please enjoy!
I don’t want to undermine the economic blackout or We Ain’t Buying It campaign, so I’m releasing the 2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases list a little early this year. Please enjoy!
November 26, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I don’t want to undermine the economic blackout or We Ain’t Buying It campaign, so I’m releasing the 2026 New and Upcoming Japanese Fiction Releases list a little early this year. Please enjoy!
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Asian Review of Books takes a closer look at Totto-chan, the Little Girl at the Window – The Sequel, exploring how this new installment adds fresh insights while keeping the warmth and charm of the original.
📖 Read the full review: https://ow.ly/gRSO50Xx253
📖 Read the full review: https://ow.ly/gRSO50Xx253
“Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window: The Sequel” by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
In 1981, Japanese actress and television personality Tetsuko Kuroyanagi published a best-selling memoir, Totto-chan: The Little Girl at the Window, an engaging story set during her unusual primary …
ow.ly
November 26, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Asian Review of Books takes a closer look at Totto-chan, the Little Girl at the Window – The Sequel, exploring how this new installment adds fresh insights while keeping the warmth and charm of the original.
📖 Read the full review: https://ow.ly/gRSO50Xx253
📖 Read the full review: https://ow.ly/gRSO50Xx253
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Today in the ARB: Christopher Corker reviews “Swallows” by Natsuo Kirino tr Lisa Hofmann-Kuroda (Knopf, Canongate) "Natsuo Kirino has a real gift for seeing the worst in people" asianreviewofbooks.com/swallows-by-...
“Swallows” by Natsuo Kirino
Natsuo Kirino has a real gift for seeing the worst in people. Her characters cheat, steal, and murder with an apparent lack of remorse that makes them (one hopes) unrelatable for most, but they are…
asianreviewofbooks.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Today in the ARB: Christopher Corker reviews “Swallows” by Natsuo Kirino tr Lisa Hofmann-Kuroda (Knopf, Canongate) "Natsuo Kirino has a real gift for seeing the worst in people" asianreviewofbooks.com/swallows-by-...
Reposted by Read Japanese Literature
Today in the ARB: Mahika Dhar reviews “The Woman Dies” by Aoko Matsuda, tr from Japanese by Polly Barton @europaeditions.bsky.social asianreviewofbooks.com/the-woman-di...
November 22, 2025 at 7:45 AM
Today in the ARB: Mahika Dhar reviews “The Woman Dies” by Aoko Matsuda, tr from Japanese by Polly Barton @europaeditions.bsky.social asianreviewofbooks.com/the-woman-di...