If you enjoy reading books by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy the subtle, elegant storytelling of Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, you might appreciate Yasunari Kawabata. Kawabata explores the quiet beauty and melancholy in human relationships, often touching on themes of memory, loneliness, and fleeting moments of happiness.
In his novel Snow Country, he tells the delicate story of a love affair in a remote hot spring village, capturing the fragility of emotion and the quiet sadness beneath his characters' interactions.
Yukio Mishima is a great choice if you're interested in darker, more intense explorations of Japanese culture, struggling identities, and existential crisis.
His novel The Temple of the Golden Pavilion revolves around obsession, beauty, and destruction, unfolding in visceral and deeply psychological detail.
Mishima's style is vivid and dramatic, often placing complex characters against the backdrop of traditional Japan's values clashing with modern life.
Natsume Sōseki is an excellent recommendation for readers seeking introspective examination of modern identity and human connection in Japan.
His style is insightful, sensitive, and gently humorous, tackling themes of alienation and the struggle between individual desires and societal expectations.
In Kokoro, Sōseki tells the story of friendship and betrayal between characters navigating the challenging transition of Japan into modernity, capturing emotional depth and psychological complexity.
Osamu Dazai's work has a deeply personal, candid quality, making it perfect for readers intrigued by the darker sides of human nature and existence. His writing addresses loneliness, self-destructive behaviors, and the struggle to find meaningful connection and acceptance.
In his novel No Longer Human, Dazai presents a semi-autobiographical portrait of a young man unable to find his place in the world, expressing raw emotions and a sharp awareness of his society's limitations.
Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's short stories are insightful and concise, often inspired by traditional tales while addressing timeless ethical dilemmas, human suffering, and moral ambiguity. If Tanizaki's sharp and thoughtful prose appeals to you, Akutagawa may as well.
His famous short story Rashomon explores the fluid nature of truth and morality, illustrating how perception and circumstances influence our actions, and leaving readers to question their own judgments.
If you enjoy Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's exploration of human desires and society, Kenzaburō Ōe offers thoughtful reflections on morality, family relationships, and societal challenges. His writing is introspective and focuses on the emotional lives of his characters.
A great starting point is his novel A Personal Matter, a story about a man facing the birth of his disabled son, which exposes his deepest fears and moral dilemmas.
Haruki Murakami's novels mix reality with surreal elements, creating stories full of mysterious coincidences and intriguing characters. He often explores loneliness, isolation, and longing in modern life.
If you appreciate Tanizaki's psychological depth but would like something more dreamlike, Murakami's Kafka on the Shore is a perfect choice—it presents a young man's strange journey that crosses reality and myth.
Yoko Ogawa writes with elegance and simplicity, often examining hidden feelings, odd obsessions, and quiet forms of madness. She reveals her characters' psychological landscapes carefully and subtly.
In The Housekeeper and the Professor, Ogawa provides a touching story about memory, friendship, and the beauty found in fleeting human connections.
Shūsaku Endō often explores the conflict between faith and doubt, and the struggle of individuals caught in difficult moral choices. Like Tanizaki, Endō is interested in examining human weakness and complex ethical dilemmas.
His novel Silence tells the story of a Jesuit missionary in 17th-century Japan, exploring faith, persecution, and betrayal.
Kōbō Abe creates unsettling and surreal narratives. His books often focus on themes of identity, alienation, and isolation, set within bizarre and nightmarish settings.
For readers enjoying the psychological elements in Tanizaki, Abe's The Woman in the Dunes is an impressive story about a man trapped in a sand pit, facing the absurdity and helplessness of his situation.
Hiromi Kawakami writes gently reflective stories about ordinary life and quiet relationships. She often touches on subtle human emotions, memories, and the passing of time.
In her novel Strange Weather in Tokyo, Kawakami captures a tender and understated relationship between a woman and her former teacher, showing how connections develop quietly but powerfully over time.
Kafu Nagai's stories frequently explore old Tokyo, describing its colorful streets, cafes, theaters, and vibrant nightlife. His work celebrates urban life while mourning traditions and places lost to modernization.
One notable work, A Strange Tale from East of the River, showcases Nagai's vivid descriptions and nostalgic style, capturing Tokyo's disappearing neighborhoods and the lives of people who inhabited them.
Ihara Saikaku wrote sharply humorous tales about everyday life in 17th-century Japan, examining human desires, love, greed, and social pressures. His storytelling style is lively and satirical, as seen in his popular book Life of an Amorous Man.
In this work, Saikaku portrays human folly and romantic adventures with insight, irony, and wit.
Murasaki Shikibu was a writer at the imperial court in Heian-era Japan. She depicted elegant scenes of courtly life and subtle emotional dramas. Her style was quiet, nuanced, and reflective.
Her masterpiece, The Tale of Genji, presents the life and loves of a young nobleman in the imperial court, exploring themes of beauty, loss, and the fleeting nature of love.
Sei Shōnagon was another notable writer from the Heian era. Her writing style is lively, witty, and incredibly observant of the small joys and annoyances of daily life.
Her famous work, The Pillow Book, offers sharp and often funny commentary on palace manners, social interactions, and personal tastes. It's a vivid snapshot of courtly culture and daily life told through brief, engaging vignettes.