2023 Japanese Literature Challenge

9 Replies

Japanese Literature Challenge

Meredith, at Dolce Bellezza, is once again hosting her Japanese Literature challenge. I have participated in this challenge many times and it’s always enjoyable. I have a special interest in Japan and it’s history and culture because my husband’s mother was Japanese. His grandmother was a picture bride from Japan to Hawaii in the early 1900s. It’s a fascinating family history, so over the years, we have collected a lot of books and DVDs about that culture. I lost my husband, Byron, to cancer in September, so this time my participation in this immersion into Japanese literature and culture is a part of my grieving process.

For the challenge this year, I decided to list only the books that I already own and would like to read. There are quite a few books already sitting on my shelves that fit this challenge, so I’ve put together a list of some of them to choose from. I also have quite a few DVDs of Japanese films because that was an interest my husband and I shared. So, while I will be enjoying the reading for this challenge, I’m also going to have my own Japanese Film Festival and re-visit some of those movies. That’s the plan!

Thank you, Meredith, for hosting this lovely challenge once again!

My Want-to-Read List:

  1. How Do You Live?, by Genzaburo Yoshino
  2. Snow Country, by Kawabata, Yasunari
  3. The Guest Cat, by Takashi Hirade
  4. A Bowl Full of Peace, by Caren Stelson
  5. Novelist as a Vocation, by Haruki Murakami
  6. The Strange Library, by Haruki Murakami
  7. The Book of Tea, by Kazuko Okakura
  8. Kokoro, by Natsume Soseki
  9. SumoKitty, by David Biedrzycki
  10. The Lady and The Monk, by Pico Iyer

My List of Japanese Films to Watch:

  1. Woman in the Dunes
  2. Picture Bride
  3. Ikiru
  4. My Neighbor Totoro
  5. The Seven Samurai
  6. The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (Netflix)

My husband’s grandmother and aunt…

9 thoughts on “2023 Japanese Literature Challenge”

  3. Marlo Quick

    I love the way you embrace reading challenges. I thought maybe I should join you on this endeavor and then I looked at my (extremely long) list of books I want to read and decided that was challenge enough. I love that you will honor and remember Byron as you read and watch. Wishing you a holiday filled with comfort and joy!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
    1. Robin Post author

      Thank you again, Marlo, for your love and support. These challenges are addictive, as you can see. I started them when I first started blogging as a way to expand my usual reading and become a more diverse reader. It worked!

      Like

      Reply ↓
  4. Iliana

    Robin so glad to see you are participating in the challenge and it’s a lovely way to honor your grieving process and Byron’s history. Love the picture of his grandmother and aunt that you shared.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓
  5. Claire 'Word by Word'

    What a lovely and intriguing photo and personal connection you have. I’m sorry for your recent loss. I hope you enjoy these books and films remembering your husband’s ancestors.
    I read my first novel by Yuko Tsushima Child of Fortune and I thought it was excellent. Very thought provoking and easy to misjudge, a wonderful writer.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply ↓

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