I’m doing a series about authors from many nationalities in the Asia Pacific region. I’m starting with Japan. While I will include a few books that are directly translated from Japanese here I am mostly talking about books written in English originally.
Beneath the Moon: Fairy Tales, Myths, and Divine Stories from Around the World -Yoshi Yoshitani
A selection of short stories about the many gods and goddesses around the world. In 78 stories we learn about stories like the Volcano goddess Pele and other lesser known by the west stories from the global south.
Written by Yoshi Yoshitani this mixed-race artist likes to bring up questions for readers and keep them focused on learning about each other. Yoshi also writes for properties like Netflix and DC.
The Seven Deadly Shadows
Kira Fujikawa is a teenage shrine maiden who can see yokai or demons. This story is inspired by Akira Kurosawa’s “Seven Samurai” Kira must gather a group of shinigami or ghost hunters to stop the rise of the demon king.
Written By Valynne E. Maetani who has Japanese ancestry along with Courtney Alameda
The Cat That Saved Books
This book about a young man who has lost his grandfather and must take over the older man’s bookshop is a lovely dose of magical realism. When Rintaro Natsuki is dealing with his grief about his grandfather a cat shows up and takes him on adventures that highlight the importance of books and reading. Whether or not that this cat is real or a figment of his grief is left up to the reader.
Amazon: The Cat Who Saved Books
Holiday Heroine
This tale about a woman feeling adrift despite family and relationships deals with the usual holiday stresses and adds on our protagonist being a monster hunter and having to deal with both literal demons and her family simultaneously equals an interesting holiday tale.
Written by Sara Kuhn an English/Japanese and German author who is focused on superheroes and fantasy as well as books for Star Wars and DC properties.
Spring Snow
This classic tale from the early 1900s is a tale of ill-fated love and reincarnation. Shigekuni Honda believes he has met the reincarnation of his childhood friend. He experiences both love and loathing for the believed reincarnation of his friend. Young woman Ayakura Satoko, but he doesn’t realize the strength of his feelings until she gets engaged to a young prince. Leading the two to a doomed love affair.
Yukio Mishima is the pen name of Kimitake Hiraoka (, January 14, 1925 – November 25, 1970), one of the most important Japanese authors of the 20th century. Also a poet, playwright, actor, and film director. Mishima made a large impact on Japanese media
These are just some of the great works by Japanese and Japanese diaspora writers. What are some of your favorite pieces of work by Japanese authors?
Featured photo by Freepik
Rose's Book Garden 