Japanese historical fiction - Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums

Talysia · 15th November 2006, 01:03 PM

I'm a big fan of Japanese history, so novels based on this subject fascinate me. Among my current favourites are Fudoki by Kij Johnson, Cloud of Sparrows and Autumn Bridge by Takashi Matsuoka, set in Tokugawa era Japan, and Fish of the Seto Inland Sea by Ruri Pilgrim, and this is set at the turn of the 20th century, through both World Wars, up to the 1950s.
Could anyone recommend any other good titles?

aarti · 15th November 2006, 03:15 PM

Not so much historical fiction as historical fantasy, and I've only read the first book in the trilogy, but Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori series is very popular. I believe a prequel to the series recently came out, called The Harsh Cry of the Heron. You might check those out :-)

Talysia · 15th November 2006, 05:04 PM

Thanks for that. I'll check it out!

aarti · 15th November 2006, 05:48 PM

No problem- let me know what you think!

SpaceShip · 15th November 2006, 06:27 PM

Used to love watching a series years ago called "The Water Margin". Don't know if there was a series of books on this but the TV series was riveting.

leehow · 13th December 2006, 07:25 PM

the best novel i ever read on any subject is shogun by james clavell which
is about an english man who gets shipwrecked if fuedal japan and gets caught up in a civil war.His other books are brilliant as well

dwndrgn · 13th December 2006, 11:45 PM

I'm not up on Japanese fiction but I've heard that Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart is a wonderful little Chinese fairy tale.

aarti · 14th December 2006, 04:05 PM

I have Bridge of Birds on my shelf, but haven't read it yet.

I also know another historical fantasy author is Takashi Matsuoka.

And a historical mystery is Rashoman Gate, by I. J. Parker.

Talysia · 7th January 2007, 06:06 PM

Just read book three of the Tales of the Otori series (couldn't find books one or two in the library), but now I definitely have to read the other two. A very good read. Thanks for suggesting it, Aarti!

PenDragon · 7th January 2007, 06:16 PM

I'll second Shogun by James Clavell it's brilliant.

Talysia · 7th January 2007, 06:17 PM

Another title to look out for. Thanks for that!

ras'matroi · 7th January 2007, 06:27 PM

Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa.
Miyamoto Musashi really lived in midevil Japan. The book uses the facts known about him but not the whole story is true. He was a ronin: kind of a samurai without a master he is sworn to, travelling around trying to improve his skills.

(Musashi himself wrote a book the title could be The book of the Five Rings or something along those lines. There he describes his way of live and hie Philosophical wiev on swordfight.)

Talysia · 7th January 2007, 06:33 PM

Wow, lots of suggestions today! I've heard about Musashi, but didn't know there was a book about his life. I'll keep my eyes open for it. Thanks!

ras'matroi · 7th January 2007, 06:37 PM

I think you had this idea, too but here is the amazon link.

aarti · 8th January 2007, 02:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Talysia

Just read book three of the Tales of the Otori series (couldn't find books one or two in the library), but now I definitely have to read the other two. A very good read. Thanks for suggesting it, Aarti!

No problem! Glad you enjoyed it :-)

15th November 2006, 01:03 PM	#1 (permalink)
Talysia Lady of Autumn Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 4,672 Blog Entries: 17	Japanese historical fiction I'm a big fan of Japanese history, so novels based on this subject fascinate me. Among my current favourites are Fudoki by Kij Johnson, Cloud of Sparrows and Autumn Bridge by Takashi Matsuoka, set in Tokugawa era Japan, and Fish of the Seto Inland Sea by Ruri Pilgrim, and this is set at the turn of the 20th century, through both World Wars, up to the 1950s. Could anyone recommend any other good titles?

15th November 2006, 03:15 PM	#2 (permalink)
aarti bibliophile Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 220	Re: Japanese historical fiction Not so much historical fiction as historical fantasy, and I've only read the first book in the trilogy, but Lian Hearn's Tales of the Otori series is very popular. I believe a prequel to the series recently came out, called The Harsh Cry of the Heron. You might check those out :-)

15th November 2006, 05:04 PM	#3 (permalink)
Talysia Lady of Autumn Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 4,672 Blog Entries: 17	Re: Japanese historical fiction Thanks for that. I'll check it out!

15th November 2006, 05:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
aarti bibliophile Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 220	Re: Japanese historical fiction No problem- let me know what you think!

15th November 2006, 06:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
SpaceShip Outta sight Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: East Sussex Posts: 1,234	Re: Japanese historical fiction Used to love watching a series years ago called "The Water Margin". Don't know if there was a series of books on this but the TV series was riveting.

13th December 2006, 07:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
leehow Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 3	Re: Japanese historical fiction the best novel i ever read on any subject is shogun by james clavell which is about an english man who gets shipwrecked if fuedal japan and gets caught up in a civil war.His other books are brilliant as well

13th December 2006, 11:45 PM	#7 (permalink)
dwndrgn Fierce Vowelless One Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,823	Re: Japanese historical fiction I'm not up on Japanese fiction but I've heard that Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart is a wonderful little Chinese fairy tale.

14th December 2006, 04:05 PM	#8 (permalink)
aarti bibliophile Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Illinois Posts: 220	Re: Japanese historical fiction I have Bridge of Birds on my shelf, but haven't read it yet. I also know another historical fantasy author is Takashi Matsuoka. And a historical mystery is Rashoman Gate, by I. J. Parker.

7th January 2007, 06:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
Talysia Lady of Autumn Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 4,672 Blog Entries: 17	Re: Japanese historical fiction Just read book three of the Tales of the Otori series (couldn't find books one or two in the library), but now I definitely have to read the other two. A very good read. Thanks for suggesting it, Aarti!

7th January 2007, 06:16 PM	#10 (permalink)
PenDragon ...has left the building Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 205	Re: Japanese historical fiction I'll second Shogun by James Clavell it's brilliant.

7th January 2007, 06:17 PM	#11 (permalink)
Talysia Lady of Autumn Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 4,672 Blog Entries: 17	Re: Japanese historical fiction Another title to look out for. Thanks for that!

7th January 2007, 06:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
ras'matroi Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 139	Re: Japanese historical fiction Musashi by Eiji Yoshikawa. Miyamoto Musashi really lived in midevil Japan. The book uses the facts known about him but not the whole story is true. He was a ronin: kind of a samurai without a master he is sworn to, travelling around trying to improve his skills. (Musashi himself wrote a book the title could be The book of the Five Rings or something along those lines. There he describes his way of live and hie Philosophical wiev on swordfight.)

7th January 2007, 06:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
Talysia Lady of Autumn Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 4,672 Blog Entries: 17	Re: Japanese historical fiction Wow, lots of suggestions today! I've heard about Musashi, but didn't know there was a book about his life. I'll keep my eyes open for it. Thanks!

7th January 2007, 06:37 PM	#14 (permalink)
ras'matroi Registered User Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 139	Re: Japanese historical fiction I think you had this idea, too but here is the amazon link.

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