The Oxford Book of Japanese Short Stories
- ISBN-10
- 0192803727
- ISBN-13
- 9780192803726
- Category
- Japanese fiction
- Pages
- 452
- Language
- English
- Published
- 1997
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press, USA
- Author
- Theodore William Goossen
Description
This collection of short stories, including many new translations, is the first to span the whole of Japan's modern era from the end of the nineteenth century to the present day. Beginning with the first writings to assimilate and rework Western literary traditions, through the flourishing of the short story genre in the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the Taisho era, to the new breed of writers produced under the constraints of literary censorship, and the current writings reflecting the pitfalls and paradoxes of modern life, this anthology offers a stimulating survey of the development of the Japanese short story. Various indigenous traditions, in addition to those drawn from the West, recur throughout the stories: stories of the self, of the Water Trade (Tokyo's nightlife of geishas and prostitutes), of social comment, love and obsession, legends and fairytales. This collection includes the work of two Nobel prize-winners: Kawabata and Oe, the talented women writers Hirabayashi, Euchi, Okamoto, and Hayashi, together with the acclaimed Tanizaki, Mishima, and Murakami. The introduction by Theodore Goossen gives insight into these exotic and enigmatic, sometimes disturbing stories, derived from the lyrical roots of Japanese literature with its distinctive stress on atmosphere and beauty.
Get the book
Other editions
Similar books
-
The Oxford Book of French Short Stories
By Elizabeth FallaizeThis collection of French short stories in translation expands our idea of French writing by including new stories by women writers and by authors of Francophone origin.
-
Traditional Japanese Arts And Culture: An Illustrated Sourcebook
By J. Thomas Rimer, Stephen Addiss, Gerald GroemerCompiled in this volume is original material on Japanese arts and culture from the prehistoric era to the Meiji Restoration (1867).
-
The Elephant Vanishes: Stories
By Haruki MurakamiIn the tales that make up The Elephant Vanishes, the imaginative genius that has made Haruki Murakami an international superstar is on full display.
-
Modern Japanese Stories: An Anthology
By Ivan I. MorrisModern Japanese Stories: An Anthology
-
Toddler Hunting: And Other Stories
By Taeko KonoAnd why? Multiplying perspectives and refracting light from the strangely facing mirrors of fantasy and reality, pain and pleasure, these ten stories present Kono at her very best.
-
The Oxford Book of Irish Short Stories
By William TrevorWhat began simply in Ireland as entertainment and communication through the spoken word soon grew into an extraordinary literary form unmatched in any other country. The Oxford Book of Irish...
-
Tales from Japan
By Helen McAlpineThis extraordinary collection of stories from Japan are retellings of legends and fairy tales.
-
The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories
By Jay RubinCurated by Jay Rubin, who has himself freshly translated several of the stories, and introduced by Haruki Murakami, this book will be a revelation to its readers.
-
The Oxford Book of English Short Stories
By A. S. ByattThe Oxford Book of English Short Stories celebrates the excellences of the English short story.
-
The Oxford Book of Science Fiction Stories
By Tom ShippeyA collection of classic science fiction short stories features tales by H. G. Wells, Arthur C. Clark, Frederik Pohl, Clifford Simak, Brian Aldiss, Ursala K. LeGuin, and many others.