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Trade paperback format. Introduction by Haruki Murakami. Edited by Jay Rubin. Translated by Jay Rubin. Notes by Jay Rubin.

A major new collection of Japanese short stories, many appearing in English for the first time, with an introduction by Haruki Murakami

A Penguin Classic

This fantastically varied and exciting collection celebrates the art of the Japanese short story, from its origins in the nineteenth century to the remarkable practitioners writing today. Edited by acclaimed translator Jay Rubin, who has himself freshly translated some of the stories, and with an introduction by Haruki Murakami, this book is a revelation.

Stories by writers already well known to English-language readers are includedlike Tanizaki, Akutagawa, Murakami, Mishima, Kawabata, and Yoshimotoas well as many surprising new finds. From Yuko Tsushimas Flames to Yuten Sawanishis Filling Up with Sugar to Shinichi Hoshis Shoulder-Top Secretary to Banana Yoshimotos Bee Honey, The Penguin Book of Japanese Short Stories is filled with fear, charm, beauty, and comedy.

An exhilarating glimpse into Japanese literature. Patti Smith, via Instagram

One of my most treasured volumes. Jeva Lange, The Week

Assembled by longtime Haruki Murakami translator Jay Rubin (and blessed with an introduction by Murakami himself), this handsome 576-page tome is cleverly organized by theme rather than chronology, giving the book a stronger sense of cohesion than if it had started in the nineteenth century and ended with stories from today. . . . You might encounter a witch, or a devastating earthquake, or The Girl from Ipanema. GQ, The 17 Best Books of 2018