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Category: Review
Exploring Identity and Society in the Classic Japanese Novel: Review of Natsume Soseki’s Kokoro
“Kokoro” is a classic Japanese novel written by Natsume Soseki and originally published in 1914. The work has been recognized as one of the most important works of 20th-century Japanese literature and has been widely studied in schools and universities around the world. The novel’s plot revolves around the friendship between two men, the nameless… Read more
Akira Kurosawa’s Ran: An Emotional Epic of Power and Betrayal in Feudal Japan
“Ran” is an epic film directed by acclaimed Japanese director Akira Kurosawa, which tells the story of a powerful samurai warlord who decides to divide his kingdom among his three sons. From this point, the story unfolds through a series of violent conflicts and betrayals that play out in a world of samurai honor, duty,… Read more
Immerse yourself in the exciting world of sumo with ‘Sanctuary’: Drama, action and passion in every fight
Today we want to talk about “Sanctuary”, a sports drama series that you can find on Netflix from May 4, 2023. The story revolves around Kiyoshi Oze, played by Wataru Ichinose, an energetic and somewhat unruly boy who plunges into in the world of sumo in search of money and fame. He adopts the name… Read more
Exploring Freedom and Despair in Postwar Japan: A Review of Osamu Dazai’s The Setting Sun
“The Setting Sun” is a novel written by Japanese author Osamu Dazai, first published in 1947. The work is considered one of the most important works of 20th-century Japanese literature and is widely studied in universities and schools around the world. world. The novel centers on the story of an upper-class family in Japan struggling… Read more
“The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House”: An audiovisual feast that delights the senses
Get ready for a visual and emotional feast! “The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House”, the Japanese series by acclaimed director Hirokazu Koreeda, has arrived on Netflix in a discreet but exquisite way. This production, based on the manga “Maiko-san chi no Makanai-san” by Aiko Koyama, immerses us in the daily life of two friends… Read more
The Days: A captivating series exploring the Fukushima disaster
In June 2023, Netflix released the highly anticipated Japanese series “The Days,” which delves into one of the most shocking disasters in recent history: the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident. Directed by Masaki Nishiura and Hideo Nakata, the series immerses viewers in a story that follows the events that unfolded over the course of seven critical… Read more
Discover the Fascinating and Surreal World of Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 / Book Review
1Q84 by Haruki Murakami is an epic work of fiction that blends reality and imagination, leaving you glued to every page. The story follows two main characters, Aomame and Tengo, who live in an alternate universe called “1Q84”. As the story unfolds, the characters become increasingly entwined in a plot that involves religious cults, murder,… Read more
Hara’s ‘Lonely Castle in the Mirror’ reflects on teen angst
Keiichi Hara explores the mind of a misbehaved high school student in his latest feature film, “Lonely Castle in the Mirror.” “I think I’m relatively good at portraying characters realistically and making the audience identify with them,” the anime director said. Hara, best known for his emotional “Crayon Shin-chan” films, delicately portrayed the inner workings… Read more
We recommend this Collection of Juvenile Novels to practice your Japanese! (book)
For those of you who are learning Japanese, we recommend this selection of classic works of universal literature, presented in a youthful collection in a Japanese version with well-known titles. Many times it is easier to read in another language if you have previously read the story of the book. This collection comprises kanji from… Read more
“The Saleswoman” by Murata Sayaka – Book Review
Murata Sayaka ‘s book “The Shop Clerk” (コンビニ人間Konbini ningen ) was a bestseller in Japan. Even after several years since its release in 2016, it remains one of the best-selling literary novels of recent years. This novel won Murata Sayaka the Gunzo Awards for New Writers , the Mishima Yukio Award , the Noma Literary… Read more