Contemporary Japanese Fiction: Haruki Murakami and His Generation

Contemporary Japanese literature is dominated by the work of Haruki Murakami and writers who have been influenced by him. We will examine Murakami's work in detail, including A Wild Sheep Chase, Wind-Up Bird Chronicle, and Kafka on the Shore, and then look at the relationship between Murakami and other contemporary writers (Yoko Ogawa, Ryu Murakami, Natsuo Kirino). Murakami's impact on the visual arts (Takashi Murakami and "Superflat") and the wider culture will also be examined. Students will gain a strong grounding in contemporary Japanese culture through the eyes of one of its most interesting and influential practitioners.