Planning to add the following Japanese and oriental books:
| The Tale of Genji | 源氏物語 | Murasaki Shikibu | 11th century | First novel in world literature, depicting court life during the Heian period. |
| The Pillow Book | 枕草子 | Sei Shōnagon | 10th-11th century | Collection of essays and observations reflecting Heian court aesthetics. |
| An Account of My Hut | 方丈記 | Kamo no Chōmei | 13th century | Buddhist-inspired reflections on the impermanence of life. |
| The Tale of the Heike | 平家物語 | Anonymous | 13th century | Epic story of the Genpei War and the fall of the Taira clan. |
| Collection of Ancient and Modern Poems | 古今和歌集 | Various | 10th century | First imperial anthology of waka poetry. |
| The Complete Haiku | 奥の細道 | Matsuo Bashō | 1702 (posthumous) | Masterpiece combining haiku poetry and travel narrative. |
| The Narrow Road to the Deep North | 奥の細道 | Matsuo Bashō | 1702 (posthumous) | Masterpiece combining haiku poetry and travel narrative. |
| Kwaidan | 怪談 | Lafcadio Hearn | 1904 | Collection of Japanese ghost stories and supernatural folklore. |
| Glimpses of Unfamiliar Japan 1&2 | N/A | Lafcadio Hearn | 1894 | Western perspective on traditional Japanese life and culture. |
| The Japanese Fairy Book | N/A | Iwaya Sazanami | 1908 | Adaptations of traditional Japanese folktales. |
| Hokusai Manga | 北斎漫画 | Katsushika Hokusai | 1814 | Collection of sketches depicting daily life, nature, and folklore. |
| Scrolls of Frolicking Animals | 鳥獣人物戯画 | Anonymous (attributed to Toba Sōjō) | 12th century | Early example of narrative art with anthropomorphic animals. |
| Toba Ehon | 鳥羽絵本 | Attributed to Toba Sōjō | 12th century | Caricatures and humorous illustrations from the Heian period. |
| Four Seasons’ Amusements | 四時交加 | Santō Kyōden | Late 18th century | Illustrations reflecting seasonal activities and urban life. |
| Buncho’s Painting Manual | 蕪村画譜 | Yosa Buson | 18th century | Elegant and poetic painting collection by the haiku master. |
| Picture Book of the Tōkaidō | 絵本東海道 | Katsushika Hokusai | Early 19th century | Illustrated travel scenes along the historic Tōkaidō road. |
| Picture Book of the Musashi Stirrup | 絵本武蔵鐙 | Katsushika Hokusai | Early 19th century | Illustrations of legendary tales and samurai adventures. |
| Picture Book of the Sumida River Banks | 絵本隅田川両岸一覧 | Katsushika Hokusai | Early 19th century | Panoramic views along the Sumida River in Edo. |
| Picture Book of One Hundred Ghost Stories | 絵本百物語 | Takehara Shunsensai | 1841 | Illustrated collection of ghost and monster legends. |
| Azuma Amusements | 絵本あづまあそび | Santō Kyōden | Late 18th century | Scenes of leisure and festivities in Edo (Tokyo). |
| Chronicles of Ukiyo-e Painters | 浮世絵類考 | Kanō Jigorō | Early 19th century | Biographical and critical accounts of ukiyo-e artists. |
| The Journey to the West | 西遊記 | Wú Chéng’ēn (Ruzhong) | 1592 | Journey to the West, a classic Chinese novel by Wu Cheng’en (Ruzhong). Published in the 16th century, it narrates mythological Chinese tales. First part deals with the Monkey “Sun Wukong” who loots the heavens. Second part, the Pig “Zhu Bajie”, i.e. “Eight Precepts Pig,” tastes his cosmic issues sometimes in conflict with the Monkey. The third part, the river “Sha Wujing”, i.e. “Friar Sand,” is banished for dishonoring the Queen Mother of the West. The fourth part, the horse “Yulong” experiences tribulation since he blazed the great pearl of the Dragon King of the West Sea. Inspiration for Dragon Ball anime series. |
| Dhammapada | Translated from Pali by Friedrich Max Müller | A collection of verses that capture the essence of Buddhist philosophy and ethical living, likely composed in the early centuries after the Buddha’s life, during the formative period of Buddhist scripture. The primary focus of the book is on the fundamental principles of right thought, action, and spiritual development towards achieving Nirvana. The Dhammapada is organized into various chapters that cover a wide range of themes related to human behavior, morality, and the path to enlightenment. Each chapter presents concise and impactful verses that expound on topics like the nature of the mind, the importance of self-control, the transient nature of life, and the cultivation of virtues such as compassion and wisdom. Through its teachings, the Dhammapada emphasizes the power of thought in shaping one’s actions and outcomes, advocating for a life of mindfulness, restraint, and earnest pursuit of truth as key elements for overcoming suffering and attaining inner peace. The wisdom contained within its verses serves as both spiritual guidance and philosophical reflection for practitioners and seekers on the Buddhist path. | ||
| Tales of the Samurai | Kyō-bun-kwan | Asataro Miyamori | 1920 | |
| Japanese Fairy Tales | William Elliot Griffis | 1908 |
If you would like any of these or other oriental books, please comment or write us.
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