Tag: Japanese setting

Shuhei Fujisawa’s—Semishigure

Shuhei Fujisawa’s—Semishigure

In the days of the Samurai in ancient Japan, Bunshiro and his friends, Ippei and Yonosuke have a carefree childhood, but when Bunshiro’s father is accused of treason and forced to commit suicide, Bunshiro becomes head of the family and forced to take responsibility. While his two friends remain faithful, others shun him. Now in reduced circumstances, he puts all his effort into practising his fighting skill with bamboo swords.

While this story is about Bunshiro, it is an interesting look into past Japan, how government practices were carried out and at the same time, intrigue as those hungry for power, plot.

Haruki Murakami’s—Kafka on the Shore

Haruki Murakami’s—Kafka on the Shore

During the WW11 a teacher takes a group of children on an excursion into the forest to pick mushrooms. When the children collapse in a comatose state with eyes open, she races back to the school for help. The children eventually recover, all except one boy who is taken to hospital. Decades later, Mr Nakata is that boy who eventually wakes up from the coma, but he’s forgotten everything, including how to read. The only thing he’s capable of is speaking to cats.

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Haruki Murakami’s—The city and its uncertain walls

Haruki Murakami’s—The city and its uncertain walls

As a teenager, the boy fell in love with the girl who eventually confessed that the real her came from a different reality. When the girl disappeared from his life, his world crumbled and he plodded through his existence wishing he could find the strange world she claimed she came from. Her strange world became so real to him that he wondered if he was his real self or only his shadow.

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Yoko Ogawa’s Mina’s Matchbox *****

Yoko Ogawa’s Mina’s Matchbox *****

In 1972, Tomoko’s widowed mother decides to take a sewing course in Tokyo and leaves her daughter with her family in Ashiya. When her uncle picks Tomoko up from the train station, she is stunned by his good looks and Mecedes. When they reach their house, she is an awe of the miniature hippopotamus that lives in the front garden, then their beautiful home.

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