Japanese Literature
Japan has a rich literary tradition which spans from the seventh century to the present. Japanese literature covers a wide breadth from the diminutive haikus of Basho to the short stories of Akutagawa Ryunosuke to the epic Tale of Genji by Lady Murasaki. Japanese literature reveals much of the history, culture, and values, of Japan.
Literary Hot List
A comprehensive list of links to Japanese literature web sites from the Literary Homepage Horagai.
A comprehensive list of links to Japanese literature web sites from the Literary Homepage Horagai.
The Flowering of Japanese Literature
An interesting article which follows the development of Japanese literature from the Nara and Yamato periods through the Heian Era.
An interesting article which follows the development of Japanese literature from the Nara and Yamato periods through the Heian Era.
Japanese Death Poetry
A wonderful site that explores the various genre of Japanese poetry: poetry of the Samurai, Haiku death poetry, Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, and love poetry.
A wonderful site that explores the various genre of Japanese poetry: poetry of the Samurai, Haiku death poetry, Ogura Hyakunin Isshu, and love poetry.
Haiku for People
Selected haiku poems by Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Basho, and others.
Selected haiku poems by Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Basho, and others.
The Heron's Nest... a haikai journal
A monthly web journal of English language haiku edited by Christopher Herold.
A monthly web journal of English language haiku edited by Christopher Herold.
Yasunari Kawabata (1899-1972)
A brief biography of this Nobel laureate for literature.
A brief biography of this Nobel laureate for literature.
Kawabata, Yasunari - Bibliography
A comprehensive listing for translations of Kawabata's work (primary sources) and for scholarly literature about his work (secondary sources).
A comprehensive listing for translations of Kawabata's work (primary sources) and for scholarly literature about his work (secondary sources).
Kawabata's Stories Translated
Article from the Archives of the Boston Globe examines themes and styles of Yasunari's short stories, written between 1921 and 1972.
Article from the Archives of the Boston Globe examines themes and styles of Yasunari's short stories, written between 1921 and 1972.
Kawabata's "House of the Sleeping Beauties and Other Stories
Review by David M. Chess of Kawabata's short stories.
Review by David M. Chess of Kawabata's short stories.
Japanese Ink: Yoshimoto Banana and Kawabata Yasunari
Comparative essay of two Japanese authors focusing on the love suicide theme, moral codes, and he Japanese aesthetic.
Comparative essay of two Japanese authors focusing on the love suicide theme, moral codes, and he Japanese aesthetic.
The Mishima Yukio Cyber Museum
Features a history of his life, list of his works, and the museum (Bungakukan).
Features a history of his life, list of his works, and the museum (Bungakukan).
Yukio Mishima 1925-1970
A tribute page to "the most spectacularly talented young writer to emerge in Japan after world War II".
A tribute page to "the most spectacularly talented young writer to emerge in Japan after world War II".
Featured Author: Yukio Mishima
News and Reviews of Yukio Mishima From the Archives of The New York Times. A great repository of information on Mishima.
News and Reviews of Yukio Mishima From the Archives of The New York Times. A great repository of information on Mishima.
A Yukio Mishima Page
A collection of essays on Yukio Mishima's work.
A collection of essays on Yukio Mishima's work.
The Tale of Genji
Overview and discussion of Murasaki Shikibu's work. Explores the structure of the lengthy novel. Also provides biographical information on the author.
Overview and discussion of Murasaki Shikibu's work. Explores the structure of the lengthy novel. Also provides biographical information on the author.
Asian Topics: The Tale of Genji
A comprehensive examination of this Japanese classic by Columbia University's Asian Studies department.
A comprehensive examination of this Japanese classic by Columbia University's Asian Studies department.
Female Heroes of the Regions of the World: Murasaki Shikibu
Women In World History Curriculum, Lyn Reese, Director. Biography of Lady Murasaki with excerpts from the Tale of Genji and diary entries.
Women In World History Curriculum, Lyn Reese, Director. Biography of Lady Murasaki with excerpts from the Tale of Genji and diary entries.