Current Events > Anyone here know a decent amount about Japanese literature / history?

(+) Yeah! (+)

@Scotty_Rogers
@SpiritSephiroth

What's the best way I can start getting into it? I was looking at some history books yesterday but I was overwhelmed by the large section at my local Barnes and Noble and couldn't decide. I'd love to learn more about any era, but samurai era stuff is what most intrigues me.

Bushido the Samurai Code of Japan by Inazo Nitobe looks pretty cool. You can get it on Amazon for a low price.

Probably the best way is to read multiple books that give a broad overview of Japanese history. The books covering the same material would be a good thing since people pretty much learn by recall and forging connections between subject matter.

Probably the hipster answer, but Haruki Murakami is fucking awesome

Didn't see this. But yeah Murakami is good. Theres also a few books I have but the authors names escape me. They were primarily about Samurai as well. If I find them I'll post it here or PM you.

Regarding some videos, theres David Bull that has really interesting stories regarding Japanese wood carving. It was actually a really good watch surprisingly.

https://youtu.be/ij9KXgiyDAc

And theres traditional Japanese printmaking by Shinohara:

https://youtu.be/yfqsTy3Yx24

This video was oddly relaxing and fascinating to watch how they used to do printmaking back in the days.

Paolo From Tokyo is all you need bruh

I can't point you towards any particular book, but the one piece of advice I can provide is that you could probably help down-select from the options by sticking with reputable publishers. There's a lot of garbage out there and certain publishers will put anything on a shelf while others hold themselves to a higher standard.

https://www.youtube.com/c/LetsaskShogoYourJapanesefriendinKyoto

Lets ask Shogo is a good channel that goes deep into Japanese history a lot. Worth a watch, his videos are great.

Thanks for the recommendations fams.

s0nicfan posted...

sticking with reputable publishers.

Exactly why I made this topic. I don't want to support garbage.

SpiritSephiroth posted...

Murakami is good.

I'll keep an eye out for this name the next time I go to the book store.

Go Rin no Sho.

Weeaboos have existed since the 1600s.

I've got a degree in it, but tbh I don't remember a whole lot because I never put it to use.

Genji Monogatari/Tale of Genji is possibly the first novel ever written. It was kind of boring imo, but it's worth a read as a starting point if you wanna deep dive into Japanese literature.

My favorite author was prolly Akutagawa Ryuunosuke. Rashomon was based on some of his stories. My favorite book by him was Kappa. Another popular writer of the time was Natsume Soseki, Wagahai Wa Neko De Aru ([royal]we are a cat/I am a cat) was prolly my favorite of his.

Historical accounts of the sengoku period, and later the Tokugawa dynasty are pretty interesting to read. So are folk tales. Momotaro is pretty much required reading. Kaguyahime is cited as one of the first ever science fiction stories. The hero stories about the Minamoto/Genji clan are pretty cool. I remember liking the ones about Shuutendoji and Tsuchigumo.