In March, The Japan Foundation, Sydney will present a three-part talk series titled 'Read Japan: A Booklover’s Guide to Japanese Literature in Translation, 1960 – Now'. The talks introduce novels published in Japan over three consecutive 20-year periods (the 1960s-70s, 1980s-90s, and 2000 to present) focusing on works that have been translated into English. Each talk offers a window into the social and political context of the time, as well as important writers and movements, and comes with a shortlist of recommended books to create a roadmap for exploring Japanese literature. Discount vouchers and giveaways available from Books Kinokuniya Sydney. 

FEMALE AUTHORS SHINE: JAPANESE LITERATURE FROM 2000 TO TODAY

Fertility. Futility. Entrapment. Rebellion.

Thanks to the hard work of literary translators, we are in the midst of a publication boom of contemporary Japanese literature in English translation. The narrowing gap between the original publication date and the publication of translations means that English-speaking readers can now enjoy many excellent works of Japanese literature from the last two decades. These contemporary Japanese authors (many of whom are female) excel in their ability to encapsulate the anxieties of girls and women in the “digital native” generation, including difficult personal relationships, changing attitudes towards marriage and obsession with appearance.

This talk looks at novels by Natsuo Kirino, Risa Wataya, Mieko Kawakami and Novala Takemoto, as well as rising star Sayaka Murata (of Convenience Store Woman fame). In doing so, it provides insight into how present-day Japanese are conceptualizing youth and femininity against the backdrop of the decreasing birth rates and stagnant consumption that have characterised the past twenty years in Japan. The talk also celebrates the release of Tamaki’s new book, Re-Imagining Japan After Fukushima (ANU Press, 2020).

SPEAKER: Tamaki Mihic
Lecturer in Japanese Studies, The University of Sydney

This is the first of three events in the talk series, Read Japan: A Booklover’s Guide to Japanese Literature in Translation, 1960-Now.