Would like to read about Japan

[_Chris_]

Hello everyone, I'm new here and have just starting reading after a long gap. I'm 16 and am just finishing Wild Swans by Jung Chang. Through the book I have learned loads about Chinese culture, history, traditions etc and would love to go through a similar experience for Japan.

So does anyone know of any good biographical/historical/entertaining books of this nature?

Thanks!

[Tersely]

I read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden about 2 years ago..it was an easy read and I learned alot about the culture of geisha during pre-WW2 Japan. You learn about how they were treated and the competitions they faced with eachother, how they maintained a living once they were no longer young and fresh. Once the war hits and its over, you can see a drastic change on their traditions because they have to welcome american outsiders now. Its labeled as "historical fiction" if that helps any.

[bouquin]

You might want to check out Fear and Trembling by Amélie Nothomb. It tells of the trials and travails of a 22-year-old Belgian woman who works for a Japanese company in Tokyo.

There's also Silk (which I'm reading right now) by Alessandro Baricco. The story takes place in the latter half of the 19th century. The setting is part in France, part in Japan. It's about this Frenchman who, for several years in a row, makes the journey from his village in Ardèche to Japan (and back) to buy silkworm eggs.

[_Chris_]

Excellent! Thanks a lot, I'm going to check out Fear and Trembling for sure - looks great. I'm sure Memoirs of a Geisha is lying somewhere around the house - I'll try that too. Silk doesn't look that much up my alley, but if I see it in the library I'll take a look.

Thanks!

[Pensive]

I read Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden about 2 years ago..it was an easy read and I learned alot about the culture of geisha during pre-WW2 Japan. You learn about how they were treated and the competitions they faced with eachother, how they maintained a living once they were no longer young and fresh. Once the war hits and its over, you can see a drastic change on their traditions because they have to welcome american outsiders now. Its labeled as "historical fiction" if that helps any.

I would second 'Memoirs of Geisha'. A very good insight into Japanese culture.

[Hira]

The only Japanese author I know of is Kazuo Ishiguro. But I haven't read any of his books. Check this (http://www.online-literature.com/forums/showthread.php?t=25843&highlight=Ishiguro) thread. Might be helpful.

[sir orange]

Kakuzo Okakura's "The book of tea", is a perfect introduction to japanese culture. Basically, he writes about tea ceremony, as a means to understand japanese thought and culture.
sir orange

[Lioness_Heart]

Not set in the real world, but The Tales of the Otori by Lian Hearn is a really good trilogy (plus 2 extra) if you like fantasy, and it's set in a world based on Medieval Japan. The first book is Across the Nightingale Floor.
I think that they were written for teenagers, but adults like them as well. Good as a series about growing up as well.