[Celtic Warrior]

A Cloud of Sparrows


Ok I just wanted to say how amazing this book is, really great. It's by Takashi Matsuoka and I'm reading the sequel Autumn Bridge now. Of what I've read it's even better.

[FicusFan]

Glad you liked it. I just found a new mystery series set in ancient Japan. The first book in the series is called The Dragon Scroll it is by I.J. Parker. It is set in 1014 A.D. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks interesting.

[Hawklan]

I had to mention two books here that I think are excellent:

Musashi - The Samuraj, Eiji Yoshikawa
Shike - Time of the Dragons/Last of the Zinja, Robert Shea

I haven't read any of them again for about fifteen years or more but if I can find the time I will. Musashi is absolutely brilliant!

[Mojo is me]

I am not sure if you wanted historical Japan, or modern.

The "Superintendant Otani" mysteries by James Melville take place in a modern police station in Japan. They are celver, and I have read several, although I could not warm up to the main character. But the setting is great.

Two are "A Haiku for Hanae" and "Kimono for a Corpse" (so far, the title of each boo contains one Japanses word).


"Shinju" by Laura Joh Rowland is a mystery set in ancinet Japan.

[Bond]

I remember reading a translated excerpt from the Tales of the Heike when I was a young lad relating how the Heike were assailed in their stronghold by the Genji in what proved to be the decisive battle between them. One of the most compelling reads from my childhood. Anyone know what in particular I'm talking about and where I can get a full copy of something like that?

It's nothing like Murasaki Shikibu's Tale of Genji which I had grossly mistaken as possibly being related. I was thinking rather along the lines of stories with the likes of Yoritomo Minomoto. I guess this is common knowledge among Japanese. Is it related to Musashi? I get the feeling it is different.

[Hereford Eye]

The conversation seems centered on adventure type books but if you can expand your horizons to include China, then I recommend Amy Tan's books and even more so - and very much in line with the Clavell scope and empathy of Tai Pan, Shogun and Noble House - Empress Orchid by Anchee Min. Just finished that one a week or so ago and the images have yet to dissipate.

[FicusFan]

Other Japanese books from a thread where someone asked for material for a friend.

The Tale of Murasaki by Liza Dalby
Genpei by Kara Dalkey
The Initiate Brother by Sean Russell
Gatherer of Clouds by Sean Russell
The Tale of Genji by Murasaki Shikibu
The Fall of the Shogun by Dov Silverman
Tairo by Dov Silverman
Taiko by Eiji Yoshikawa
The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson
Fudoki by Kij Johnson

Some is historical fiction, some is fantasy.

There are a couple modern day mysteries from Japan, that have been translated into English:

Out by Natsuo Kirino
All She Was Worth by Miyuki Miyabe

These mysteries are award winners in Japan I think and tend to have social commentary on the modern Japanese world in them, as well as the mystery.

Modern day Japanese fiction, in translation:

A Wild Sheep Chase
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle
Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World by Haruki Murakami


When We Were Orphans
The Remains of the Day
The Unconsoled
An Artist of the Floating World by Kazuo Ishiguro

[Radthorne]

I can recommend Sean Russell's two books from FicusFan's list, as I read them some time back (they were part inspiration for my own books). On the fantasy side of things, you can also consider the Daughter of Empire trilogy from Raymond Feist and Janny Wurts. While they are a spin-off from Feist's Magician series (itself originating in the gaming world), the Asian culture they portray is nicely detailed and fun to read. Russell is a bit more on the "contemplative" side.

I have not read it yet, but I've been told that Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori series is quite good.

Kara Dalkey's books are accurate and well-researched.

[The Dark Truth]

The Forty-Seven Ronin Story by John Allyn
Musashi: An Epic Novel of the Samurai Era by Eiji Yoshikawa
Taiko: An Epic Novel of War and Glory in Feudal Japan by Eiji Yoshikawa
Three Kingdoms: Chinese Classics (Classic Novel in 4-Volumes)
by Moss Roberts (Translator)

[poewoe]

Don't like Shogun. I think it's too stereotypical, kind of exploiting Western exotic fantasies.