Read Japanese Literature Alison Fincher

In 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.
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In 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.
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To 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, especially
Nausicaä 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!*
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There 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.


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All content © 2024 Read Japanese Literature.

In 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, suicide
Join Patreon to support the podcast and access 10 minutes of bonus content.
Support Wajima and the urushi industry with the Matsuzawa Urushi Workshop.
Support this podcast by buying from Bookshop.org.
Send us a Text Message.
Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.
Support RJL on Patreon.com.
Buy your books from Bookshop.org.
All content © 2024 Read Japanese Literature.

In 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 for
400 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, suicide
Join Patreon to support the podcast and access bonus content.
Support Wajima and the urushi industry with the Matsuzawa Urushi Workshop.
Support this podcast by buying from Bookshop.org.
Send us a Text Message.
Get in touch at www.readjapaneseliterature.com.
Support RJL on Patreon.com.
Buy your books from Bookshop.org.
All content © 2024 Read Japanese Literature.