A Reader's Guide to Japanese Literature

The book has been indispensible in creating a reading list for Japanese Literature. Where to start in such a foreign genre? Why not a list of classic authors, modern authors and current authors, with recommended translations? The book delivers on it's goal. The only knock - there's a heavy emphasis on poetry, which is not my cup of ocha. But I could spend a dozen years reading the rest of Mr. Rimer's recommendations. No other book like it! Do get the current edition as the state of the art in translations has advanced remarkably since the 1988 original.

Afraid to make your first foray into the magical and majestical world of Japanese literature? Then here is a perfect introduction for you. Within this slim volume numerous wonderful recommendations abound, although there is one small oversight -- "Musashi" by Eiji Yoshikawa isn't mentioned. Ah well. Also look into, "The Pleasures of Japanese Literature," by Donald Keene. And for lovers of poetry, I cannot say enough wonderful things about, "The Ink Dark Moon," translated by Jane Hirshfield, and "Modern Japanese Tanka" by Makoto Ueda.