Can anyone recommend me some good Japanese literature?

Question: Can anyone recommend me some good Japanese literature!?

Something that will have been translated into English!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

The only Japanese literature I've ever found worth reading are the novels and short stories of Haruki Murakami!. His style sets him apart from other Japanese authors because he was so heavily influenced by Western literature, particularly American 20th century literature like Catcher in the Rye!. His books are ofen humorous which is rare in Japan!. His writing is confident, contemporary, surreal, sexy, and so much more!. I get so much more than just enjoyment out of reading his books!. They are life lessons!. Go and read them all now!. Right now!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you're in the mood for a classic, you should read "The Tale of Genji" by Murasaki Shikibu!. In short, it's about a Don Juan who has the worst luck in getting women--it's hilarious!.

If you're in the mood for pulp fiction, try Houshun Takami's "Battle Royale!." It's about a kidnapped high school class of over 40+ students who were taken to an island for a twisted reality-show experiment controlled by the government!. Everyone's given a weapon ranging from assault rifles to forks and they have to kill each other until one remains!. Crazy stuff!.

Both of these can be found in any major bookstore!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

"The Sailor Who Fell From Grace with the Sea" by Yukio Mishima [it's stayed with me after many years - could easily make you hate children]
http://www!.amazon!.com/Sailor-Who-Fell-Gr!.!.!.
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8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
Glory Versus Comfort -- Mishima, Hemingway and Mann, July 4, 2001
By Hovig J!. Heghinian (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This is a short book, both horrifying and thought-provoking!. It draws upon the same "glory versus comfort" themes which are scattered on almost every page of Ernest Hemingway, but turns to them darkly, like the hounding demons in Thomas Mann's Death in Venice!.
The author was indeed an extreme right-wing royalist and traditionalist---he did indeed lament Japan's lack of a paternalistic vision of glory after WWII, maintaining his own private army of 100 samurai-like warriors, and culminating in a "suicide of glory" to protest his view of the weakening post-war Empire of Japan---but far from detracting from this book, or making it some sort of "apologia", this insight informs you and haunts you even further as you read this book!.!.!."

You see quite clearly his struggle between the married comfort of the Western world and the glorified struggle of his conception of "true Japan", but this does not make the book one-dimensional, simplistic or over-written by any means!. On the contrary, it is notable how well he paints a picture which allows the reader to enter the debate for themself!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I would avoid Haruki Murakami !.!.!. Kobo Abe is a major Japanese author !.!.!. Yasunari Kawabata's Palm-of-the-Hand Stories is worth reading!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I have read and enjoyed:

Haruki Murakami - A Wild Sheep Chase, After Dark, Sputnik Sweetheart
Banana Yoshimoto - Kitchen
Ryu Murakami - In the Miso Soup
Natsuo Kirino- Out

Check them out!Www@QuestionHome@Com