The End of the World! Japanese Apocalypse, Part 2
In part two of this three part episode, we're looking at the apocalyptic and dystopian fiction of Japan. We'll begin with the evolution of the idea of "the end of the world" in Japan, especially aft...
15 Apr 202450min
The End of the World! Japanese Apocalypse, Part 1
In part one of this three part episode, we're looking at apocalyptic and dystopian fiction as genres. Their origins in Western and Central Asia. Their evolution in Western Europe. And a history of Eng...
1 Apr 202440min
Misogyny and Yukio Mishima, Part 2
In part two of this two-part episode on misogyny in Japanese literature, we're talking about the life and work of Yukio Mishima, especially by way of his I-Novel, Confessions of a Mask. Check out part...
23 Feb 202439min
Misogyny and Yukio Mishima, Part 1
In part one of this two-part episode, we're talking about misogyny in Japanese literature. 400 years of attitudes about women in JapanWoman in modern Japanese literature, especially in the work of so...
16 Feb 202446min
Kenji Miyazawa
There is no one quite like Kenji Miyazawa. Born into wealth, he longed to be “a real peasant”. One of Japan’s most influential children’s writers, he sold only one story during his lifetime. Read Japa...
17 Jan 202444min
The Stories of Studio Ghibli
To celebrate the overseas release of The Boy and the Heron (aka How Do You Live?) RJL delves into the stories that inspire animator Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli, especially Nausicaä of the Valley ...
21 Nov 202348min
Haruki Murakami
In this episode, we're talking about one of the most important voices in modern Japanese literature, Haruki Murakami. His biographyWhy so many people have such strong feelings about his writingAnd his...
16 Okt 202343min
Japanese Children's Literature
In this episode, we're talking about Japanese children's literature. The history of children’s literature in generalThe history of children’s literature in JapanAnd Sachiko Kashiwaba and Temple Alley ...
5 Sep 202345min
