Seeking Japanese Weird

[luciferfell]

I greatly enjoy foreign horror and weird fiction. Reading Vandermeer's collection The Weird has me all riled up on finding new and exciting weird fiction. I believe myself pretty well read. But I must say I don't know much about Japanese horror and weird fiction. So I was wondering if any one had any recommendations for post 1960 japanese weird horror fiction?

[RaleC]

Edogawa Rampo (Edgar Alan Poe in Katakana; guess he figured no one would ever hear of such an obscure Yankee writer in Japan).

Hearn's Kwaidan.

The comic artist Junji Ito.

Addendum: Just realized your wanted /post/ 1960 authors - try some of the authors in the Monkey Brain Sushi anthology.

[Draugen]

You might be interested in the Kaiki series, which anthologises from what is apparently a very rich history of weird and uncanny tales, that developed independantly from the west.

There are 3 books in the series, it's not all post 60's but there are modern tales too.

Kaiki: Uncanny Tales from Japan, Vol. 1 - Tales of Old Edo: Amazon.co.uk: Masao Higashi, Robert Weinberg: Books

 

Kaiki: Uncanny Tales from Japan, Vol. 1 - Tales of Old Edo: Amazon.co.uk: Masao Higashi, Robert Weinberg: Books

japanese gothic tales by izumi kyoka

i would also add the poetry of hagiwara sakutaro

[Speaking Mute]

I skimmed the thread, so I might have missed it - but if not, I'm surprised no one has recommended Kobo Abe yet?

I already recommended this elsewhere, but nothing wrong with a second:

Uzumaki (3-in-1, Deluxe Edition): Includes vols. 1, 2 3: Junji Ito: 9781421561325: Amazon.com: Books

 

Uzumaki (3-in-1, Deluxe Edition): Includes vols. 1, 2 3: Junji Ito: 9781421561325: Amazon.com: Books

For those who have seen the movie, the comic is much better - though arguably less coherent. The story is essentially a series of vignettes where people become obsessed with, possessed by, and ultimately killed by, spirals. Very strange. The art is also masterful pen and ink work - don't let the fact it's manga discourage you if you're put off by popular manga/anime works.

My own copy of this edition should actually be arriving tomorrow - it probably won't be available in hardcover for long...Japanese comics tend to be rather ephemeral.

[Nemonymous]

The Sound of White Ants: <--My review just started.



THE SOUND OF WHITE ANTS
Stories of Modern Japan
by Brian Howell

Elastic Press 2004

My recent review of this author’s THE STREAM & THE TORRENT.

My previous reviews of Elastic Press books.

================

My older review of Justin Isis: I Wonder What Human Flesh Tastes Like
The Isis State of Japan.

All my reviews of Quentin S. Crisp books: http://dflewisreviews.wordpress.com/quentin-s-crisp/
With Japan stories involved.

[luciferfell]

I guess I was more wondering who the lovecrafts of japanese lit? The borges? The poe? Rampo is writer who I delved into. Love The Human Chair. And I'm familar with Hino's and Ito's mango. Also with Kwaidan.

[RaleC]

Koji Suzuki has been called Japan's Stephen King and Lovecraft in various media.

Hideyuki Kikuchi, also called Lovecraftian (potentially again as a marketing tool), might be what you're after.

[luciferfell]

I've been reading Murakami's The Elepahant Vanishes. I really am liking his work. I love the rich horror cinema and manga of japan. I just think there has to be some great horror novels and short stroy collections waiting to be discovered.