Reading books in translation fascinates me. Translated books can prompt questions about the nature of language itself. How do words and expressions in one language map onto their equivalents in another language? Can the full depth and nuance of meaning in the original text be faithfully conveyed in translation, or is something always lost in the process? Whether or not something is lost, I feel that there’s a lot to be gained from reading translated works. We can gain global awareness and appreciate diverse perspectives and cultures, and gain insight into the values, history, and lifestyles of societies we may never be a part of. Ashley Tran, the president of Franklin’s Asian American Association, reminds us that “[different perspectives allow] us to comprehend where our thoughts come from and [give] us more opportunities to feel seen or heard.” As an avid reader of Japanese literature, I have come to appreciate the diversity of voices and ideas just within this particular realm. Today, I’ll introduce you to three phenomenal female writers from Japan, and recommend one book by each of them.
Mieko Kawakami: “Heaven”
An Osaka-born writer and poet, Mieko Kawakami’s writing is experimental yet accessible. Kawakami’s writing often reflects the ordinary lives of people, commenting on class and the patriarchy, diving into the philosophical, and providing unique insight into modern Japanese society and culture. In an interview with freelance writer Max Liu, Kawakami stated that growing up in a single parent family, everyone was too busy to read. She recalls that the first books that made an impression on her were her school textbooks. Before becoming a writer, Kawakami worked as a bar hostess, a bookstore clerk, and a singer. Kawakami eventually began writing poetry and then novels, gaining literary fame and winning many prestigious awards, like the Akutagawa Prize and Tanizaki Prize. Kawakami captures the beauty, pain, and randomness of life in her writing, prompting us to appreciate and question life’s strangeness.
Translated by Sam Bett and David Boyd, “Heaven” is narrated by an unnamed 14 year old boy, who is relentlessly bullied at school for his lazy eye. Instead of resisting the bullying, he chooses to suffer in silence. The only one who understands why he does this is his classmate Kojima. Both of them are bullied severely, and because of that the two become friends. But what is the true nature of a friendship when your shared connection is fear? This book dives into the exploration of human connection, and also into the very question of what it means to suffer.
“When I first read the book, it seemed like there was a theme of finding companionship to help you get through tough times, but thinking about it, it seems like the story was more about differing perspectives,” says Cordelia Trueax, a senior at Franklin. The book indeed covers many different perspectives on the human condition, especially when it comes to what it means to be hurt. “I found the writing very engaging,” adds Trueax. “It also has a more minimalistic, in-the-moment writing style which seems to be common among the Japanese authors whose books I’ve read. Kawakami strikes me, though, with how up front she is when writing about difficult topics. She sort of puts it all out there from the start, and shows what’s happening while leaving room for you to contemplate it rather than just telling you what to think.”
“Heaven” isn’t so much about finding the answers as it is an exploration. Trueax would recommend this book “to people who enjoy thoughtful or philosophical literature. It may be less of a book for light entertainment, but more for the joy of reading to think more deeply and gain perspective on life.”
Hiromi Kawakami: “Parade”
If you like magical realism and thoughtful contemplation of everyday life, Hiromi Kawakami’s writing seamlessly incorporates both. Citing Gabriel García Márquez as an influence, Kawakami’s writing is full of magical realism that tests the boundaries of reality. After graduating from college, Kawakami started writing and editing for NW-SF, a Japanese science fiction magazine. She was also a middle school and high school science teacher. Now, Kawakami is one of Japan’s most popular contemporary novelists, and has won numerous prestigious Japanese literary awards, including the Akutagawa Prize. Her writing often portrays keen observations about the ambiguity of emotions, memory, and time.
“Parade” is a delightful short read translated by Allison Markin Powell. A book about friendship, solitude, and the unexplainable workings of time, “Parade” is wonderfully bizarre.
Set on a sweltering summer day, Tsukiko prepares a lunch of somen noodles with her former high school teacher. Tsukiko tells her teacher a childhood story in which Tengu, creatures that appear in Japanese folktales, suddenly appear at her house one day. They follow her throughout her life, developing a taste for margarine and going to school. Heartwarming yet eerie, Tsukiko’s tale is a testament to the power of magical realism’s ability to blur the boundary between the ordinary and extraordinary. A thin book, this volume easily fits into your pocket, and is capable of being read in a single sitting. While reading “Parade,” you can also enjoy the sweet illustrations by Takako Yoshitomi, which enhance both the visual and reading experience.
Yoko Tawada: “Scattered All Over the Earth”
Yoko Tawada is a celebrated Japanese-German writer, known for her experimental use of language. For example, Tawada wrote her book, “The Naked Eye,” in both Japanese and German, alternating languages every five sentences. If you have an affinity for languages or an interest in diverse literary landscapes, Tawada’s writing could be a good fit for your reading exploration. At 19, Tawada took the Trans-Siberian Railway to visit Germany, and left Japan permanently three years later. Studying Russian literature at Waseda University, Tawada initially wanted to study in the Soviet Union. Due to the Cold War this became impossible, causing her to study in Hamburg, Germany instead. At Hamburg University, Tawada was influenced by writers such as Jorge Luis Borges, Walter Benjamin, and Gertude Stein. In 1987, she released her first book, a collection of bilingual poetry. With multilingualism at the heart of Tawada’s writing, Tawada opens up a new world of how we see language.
“Scattered All Over The Earth” is set in the destructive aftermath of global warming, where Japan has sunk and is now known as “the land of sushi.” Following the lives of a group of separated yet interlinked characters, “Scattered All Over the Earth” is a story that brings into question what it means to belong. There’s Hiruko, a Japanese refugee who’s landed in Denmark and has created her own Pan-Scandinavian language, Panska. And there’s Knut, a linguistics student in Copenhagen, who sees Hiruko on TV and decides to help her in her search for a native Japanese speaker. Hiruko’s quest to find a native Japanese speaker soon leads to making new friends. The cast of characters deftly portrays a post-climate disaster world, in which the idea of one’s assumed native language and native roots are brought into question. Translated by Margaret Mitsutani, “Scattered All Over the Earth” is praised as “cheerfully dystopian” by Foreword Reviews, and is described as “magnificently strange” by the New York Times Magazine. Touching on globalization, the complexities of authenticity, and immigrant identity, this book is a gift for dystopian literature and language lovers alike.
So there you have three translated Japanese literary gems to choose from. Translation can be a wonderful way to highlight new perspectives, and I hope these contemporary works by rad female authors inspire you to stay curious. Happy reading!
