Thanks to the work of translators and publishers, Japanese literature is now more accessible than ever to English-speaking audiences. If you'd like to learn more about Japanese culture and literature, you cannot go wrong with listening to audiobooks from Japan. We've compiled a list of the most famous Japanese authors who have helped define Japanese literature, and their notable works. Collectively, these Japanese authors have written across genres and time periods to create a diverse, fascinating body of work.
1.
Arguably one of the most well-known Japanese authors to English speakers, Haruki Murakami has written more than 20 novels, short story collections, and nonfiction titles. Born in 1949 in Kyoto, Murakami published his first novel in 1979—one year he
was hit with an epiphany, I think I can write a novel, while watching a baseball game at Jingu Stadium. He has gone on to have a dynamic career, winning awards in Japan and internationally, including the Jerusalem Prize. His work has been translated into more than 50 languages. Murakami is a fan of jazz music (he and his wife once ran a jazz bar), and owns more than 10,000 records that he listens to while writing. His most notable works include,,,, and.
2.
Natsuo Kirino is a crime writer who is perhaps best known for forcing readers to reconsider women’s capabilities for violence. Born in 1951, she dabbled in many different professions before settling on writing, and it wasn't until the 1990s that she found success. Her most famous novel, Out, was a breakout hit in Japan, winning the Grand Prix for Crime Fiction, and was a finalist for the Edgar Award when it was translated into English. Although only a handful of her novels have been translated into English and published in the U.S., she has written more than 20 novels and short story collections, solidifying her position as one of the most celebrated Japanese writers today. is a favorite of thriller listeners, narrated by the talented Emily Woo Zeller.
3.
Kōbō Abe was a Japanese poet, essayist, playwright, and novelist. Born in 1924, he moved frequently between Tokyo and Manchuria in his early years. This rootlessness had a profound effect on Abe and later on his writing. He enrolled in medical school in 1943 because medical students were exempt from military work, and survived World War II without having to fight. But medicine wasn’t his passion, and after he graduated he went on to write poetry and plays, and married a stage director. He began publishing surrealist novels, many of which were influenced by his time in Manchuria, and became very politically active at the time. As a staunch pacifist, Abe was drawn to and joined the Communist Party; when he saw how the Party treated poor workers, he broke with them. His books and plays have been translated into English, including , and . But it was, published in 1962, that proved to be Abe’s international breakout hit. He died in 1993 in Tokyo.
