Japanese literature of the 20th and 21st Century is a merger of Eastern thought with Western influences. Following the end of Sakoku (aka. Japanese isolationist policy) in 1853, Japan was reintroduced to the Western powers. The Japanese government even sent some Japanese intellectuals to the West to study English. One of these was Natsume Soseki, who was (against his will) sent to London to study English. Upon returning to Japan, he wrote “I Am a Cat” about his trouble reacclimating to Japanese culture. Other writers such as Dazai Osamu and Murakami Haruki have included references to Christianity, Greek myths and other ideas from Western thought. In this way, Japanese literature is much more accessible to Western audiences than one would think.

September 8: Brief introductory meeting

October 13: I am a Cat by Natsume Soseki (1905)

November 10: In A Grove by Akutagawa Ryunosuke (1922) & The Human Chair by Edogawa Rampo (1925)

December 8: No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai (1948)

January 12: The Woman in the Dunes by Abe Kobo (1962)

February 9: TBD (to be voted by members)