The Oxford Book of Japanese Short Stories

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This collection of Japanese short stories spans the modern era from the late nineteenth century to the present, featuring many stories translated specifically for this volume. It includes works by Nobel laureates Oe and Kawabata, alongside acclaimed authors like Mishima, Murakami, and Tanizaki, as well as talented contemporary women writers such as Hirabayashi, Euchi, Okamoto, and Hayashi. Organized chronologically, the anthology begins with early writings that assimilate Western literary conventions and progresses through the flourishing Taisho era. It highlights the emergence of writers under the constraints of censorship during World War II and showcases current works that reflect the complexities of modern life. This collection is unique in its comprehensive nature, offering an insightful overview of short fiction in Japan. It features various indigenous traditions alongside Western influences, presenting themes of self-identity, the Water Trade (Tokyo's nightlife of geishas and prostitutes), social commentary, love, obsession, and legends. Both stimulating and fascinating, this anthology serves as an excellent introduction to a literary tradition that remains largely unknown in America.