Nobel Media AB
The Nobel Prize: The Nobel Prize in Literature 1968
This website from The Nobel Foundation gives the 1968 winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature -- Yasunari Kawabata -- is organized into the following sections: "Presentation Speech," "Biography," "Nobel Lecture," "Swedish Nobel Stamps,"...
Other
Kanzaki: History of Japan's Literature
This resource traces the changes in Japanese literature from its beginnings in the Nara period through the present.
Other
A Brief Biography of Isikawa Jun
Included in this biography is an explanation of the political influences which affected Jun's writing, as well as some discussion of how he influenced other Japanese writers like Abe.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Yasunari Kawabata (1899 1972)
This site presents a biography of Yasunari Kawabata, who was the first Japanese novelist to win the Nobel prize for literature. The biography highlights the poetic nature of Kawabata's fiction.
University of Wisconsin
Kitchen: "Beauty That Seems to Infuse Itself Into The"
This is a paper by a college student majoring in Japanese. In it, she analyses Banana Yoshimoto's novel, "Kitchen," and the differences she finds between the original and an English translation.
Columbia University
Asia for Educators: What Is a Waka?
This large, wonderful site includes so much information on Asia that it is hard to showcase each element. It is easiest to enter Waka into the keyword box in order to access all the provided information. You will find an essay that...
Other
Presents From the Dead: Analysis of Haruki's Works
The author of this critical review analyzes the role of the narrator, "I," in Haruki's novels, discussing whether the "I" psychologically plays a mother or father role. This site is a translation of the original critique.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Osamu Dazai
This biographical sketch of Osamu Dazai focuses on how his personal life and experiences were reflected in his writing.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Junichiro Tanizaki
This brief biography summarizes several of Tanizaki's more important works and a list of many of his writings.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Yukio Mishima
A biographical sketch of the Japanese author Yukio Mishima with a description of his better known works. Also included is a selected list of his writings.
Other
Heike Monogatari
A summary of The Tale of the Heike and important characters and themes in this epic which related to the miltary culture of the fourth century in Japan.
Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: Kirjasto: Kobayashi Issa
This site provides both biographical information and some analysis of Issa's work. Links to significant names.
Other
Williamette University: Meiji
This site describes the development of books during the Meiji Restoration.
Other
Official Site of j.k. Rowling
This J.K. Rowling's official site -- very flashy, media rich, and fun for children. A much livelier, as the author herself admits, after a recent makeover. Read Rowlings biography (includes pictures), check out the Daily News, and...
Other
Women in World History Curriculum/murasaki Shikibu
Provides a biography of Murasaki Shikibu, the writer of The Tale of Genji.
Other
Excerpts From the Writings of Lady Murasaki
Provides excerpts of the writings of Murasaki Shikibu, the author of "The Tale of Gengji," providing an interesting glimpse of the woman.
Other
Pacific University: Murasaki Shikibu
This site from the Pacific University gives a brief but informative look at the life and times of Murasaki Shikibu.
Aaron Shepherd
Aaron's Storybook: Folktales
Many folktale resources are offered here. Texts of stories, "extras" including music and audio files, posters and background information can be found for some stories.
Other
The Poem Tree: X. J. Kennedy
The Poem Tree, an anthology of metered poetry, provides a brief biographical note about Kennedy, and links to the text of some of his works.