Japanese Literature Challenge 3

Button by Tanabata!

I've been waiting for Japanese Literature Challenge 3 since I finished reading for Japanese Literature Challenge 2 last year ... and it is finally here! Bellezza is our host and her challenge is as follows:

"... read one work of Japanese origin. It can be literature of course, but don’t feel confined to that. You may choose to read poetry, biographies, short stories or even manga. If you are willing to read one such piece, you’ve met the challenge. If you read more, all the better."

The challenge runs from July 30, 2009 through January 30, 2010.

For more details (including a list of prizes!) read Bellezza's post.

My interest in Japanese literature began a few years ago when I picked up a book by Haruki Murakami and found myself in a whole new world. I then sought out works by other Japanese authors. I've got quite a list of books I would like to read for this challenge and will be choosing from the following:

I am a Cat by Soseki Natsume
Black Rain by Masuji Ibuse
Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata
Tales of Moonlight and Rain by Ueda Akinari
Japanese Gothic Tales by Izumi Kyoka
Rashomon and Seventeen Other Stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa
Coin Locker Babies by Ryu Murakami
South of the Border, West of the Sun by Haruki Murakami
The Wind-up Bird Chronicles by Haruki Murakami
Grotesque by Natsuo Kirino
Real World by Natsuo Kirino

The next few months should be a lot of fun!