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Resisting the various forms of realism popular during the Meiji "enlightenment," Izumi Kyoka (1873-1939) was among the most popular writers who continued to work in the old-fashioned genres of fantasy, mystery, and romance. Gothic Tales makes available for the first time a collection of stories by this highly influential writer, whose decadent romanticism led him to envision an idiosyncratic world--a fictive purgatory --precious and bizarre though always genuine despite its melodramatic formality. The four stories presented here are among Kyoka's best-known works. They are drawn from four stages of the author's development, from the "conceptual novels" of 1895 to the fragmented romanticism o...
In Light of Shadows is the long-awaited second volume of short fiction by the Meiji-TaishÅ writer Izumi KyÅ ka. It includes the famous novella Uta andon (A story by lantern light), the bizarre, anti-psychological story "Mayu kakushi no rei' (A quiet obsession), and KyÅ ka's hauntingly erotic final work, "RukÅ shyinsÅ " (The heart-vine), as well as critical discussions of each of these three tales. Translator Charles Inouye places KyÅ ka's "literature of shadows" (ka no bungaku) within a worldwide gothic tradition even as he refines its Japanese context. Underscoring KyÅ ka's relevance for a contemporary international audience, Inouye adjusts Tanizaki Jun'ichirÅ 's evaluation of KyÅ ka as the most Japanese of authors by demonstrating how the writer's paradigm of the suffering heroine can be linked to his exposure to Christianity, to a beautiful American woman, and to the aesthetic of blood sacrifice. In Light of Shadows masterfully conveys the magic allusiveness and elliptical style of this extraordinary writer, who Mishima Yukio called "the only genius of modern Japanese letters."
A SPELLBINDING ADVENTURE! Since being transported to a new world Tsukina has made a cozy life for herself, doing magic and running a book café. She’s even grown closer to Il, a handsome soldier who also loves reading. But Tsukina is keeping a huge secret from him: she is a Savior, sent to this world to help protect it. By hiding away in her book café, is she neglecting her duties? And will Il hate her for it when he finds out?
In this charming tale, a woman gets transported to a fantasy world and pursues her own quest: opening a book cafe! Tsukina is a single, thirty-something office worker whose favorite thing is curling up with a good book. When a god tells her that she must go to another world to become its magical savior, Tsukina isn’t interested. She has zero desire to go on some grand hero’s journey. So when she arrives in this strange new land, she decides to use her magical powers to create a cozy little book café instead. Her first customer is a handsome soldier who loves reading almost as much as she does. But when a fellow “savior” starts causing trouble, Tsukina might have to play the hero after all!
The first work in any language to focus on the plays of Izumi Kyoka, a major literary figure in modern Japan
As Kyouka fights her past demons, the threat of a three-way war between the Armed Detective Agency, the Guild, and the Port Mafia looms. With each side fortifying their defenses, who will seize the initiative and land the first crushing blow? After an attack by the Guild's fellowcrafts, the Agency's chances for survival might just be gone with the wind...
Regaining consciousness after nearly losing his life to Akutagawa, Atsushi is paralyzed by the thought of bringing more death and destruction down on the heads of his companions at the Armed Detective Agency and vows to run away. But before he can make good on his resolution, the Mafia sends Ryuurou Hirotsu of the merciless Black Lizard squad to storm their offices! Between the bomb-tossing Motojirou Kajii and the demure, kimono-wearing Kyouka Izumi, will the Mafia's literary giants close the book on Atsushi and the Armed Detective Agency for good?!
In Light of Shadows is the long-awaited second volume of short fiction by the Meiji-Taishô writer Izumi Kyôka. It includes the famous novella Uta andon (A story by lantern light), the bizarre, antipsychological story "Mayu kakushi no rei" (A quiet obsession), and Kyôka’s hauntingly erotic final work, "Rukôshinsô" (The heartvine), as well as critical discussions of each of these three tales. Translator Charles Inouye places Kyôka’s "literature of shadows" (kage no bungaku) within a worldwide gothic tradition even as he refines its Japanese context. Underscoring Kyôka’s relevance for a contemporary international audience, Inouye adjusts Tanizaki Jun’ichirô’s evaluation of Kyôka as the most Japanese of authors by demonstrating how the writer’s paradigm of the suffering heroine can be linked to his exposure to Christianity, to a beautiful American woman, and to the aesthetic of blood sacrifice. In Light of Shadows masterfully conveys the magical allusiveness and elliptical style of this extraordinary writer, who Mishima Yukio called "the only genius of modern Japanese letters."
The Armed Detective Agency receives an anonymous request-and it's asking for Kyouka's help by name. But during her investigation with Atsushi, ex-Guild member Montgomery keeps mysteriously getting in their way! And as another old for defies death while seeking a triumphant return, a newer enemy-the sinister Dostoyevsky-bares his fangs against both the Armed Detective Agency and the Port Mafia. As he threatens to slowly but surely swallow the dark underbelly of Yokohama, how will this devil of a man alter the playing field...?!--EndFragment--
The first volume of a 3-volume set introducing the world of Japanese weird and supernatural literature: outstanding works from centuries of creativity, with an in-depth introduction to the genre by recognized authority Higashi Masao.