This blog post is dedicated to my fellow book lovers, who may be natively fluent in Japanese or are studying Japanese as a second language, but nonetheless, are looking for ways to get more involved in the Japanese-speaking community through books!
Meet Dr. Marnie Jorenby:
On Wednesday the 12th of April, I had the pleasure to talk to one of our senior professors teaching Japanese at the University of Minnesota: Dr. Marnie Jorenby (マーニー・ジョレンビー先生). Dr. Jorenby actually started learning Japanese during her college years at Carleton College, inspired by her boyfriend at the time taking the beginner’s course. Since then, Dr. Jorenby has been studying Japanese for roughly 36 years and earned her PhD in literature.
Dr. Jorenby's JPN 5040: Japanese Literature Course
During our meeting on Wednesday, we talked about her newest course: JPN 5040 Japanese Literature. Generally, JPN 5040 used to focus on reading different short pieces of Japanese writings (such as news articles, short stories, etc.) to allow students to experience reading different writing styles in Japanese. However, Dr. Jorenby has transformed the JPN 5040 into a book-club environment, where students will be able to read full length, fictional novels and discuss with other participants and guest speakers during class hours.
Dr. Jorenby notes that “I felt like it would be a kind of awakening for students” where students would keep going back to reading different novels and keep proving to themselves that they can keep reading Japanese books.
Is a particular language level required?
Yes. The course is generally aimed at native and/or advanced-level speakers in Japanese. However, Dr. Jorenby commented that she likes to make the class as inclusive as possible, even hand-grading assignments based purely on the student’s Japanese-language ability. Personally, as a student currently taking the course, I recommend finishing JPN 3032 Third Year Japanese II or an equivalent course in order to be successful in the class.
What Japanese Literature is covered in the course?
Dr. Jorenby says that she considers three factors when selecting books for the class.
The book cannot be too long due to the semester time constraint,
Cannot be too incredibly difficult,
And feel literature worthy
The two books we have covered so far in the Spring 2023 semester as
お引越し ("Ohikkoshi") by Hico Tanaka
"Ohikkoshi" is about a 11-year-old girl named Renko who is struggling with her parent's recent divorce. The book focuses on the trifles of children going through divorce in Japanese society. The book is at an elementary level for Japanese speakers and uses third-year level kanji with a decent amount of furigana.
2. 死神を祭る ("Shinigami Wo Matsuru") by Oishi Dai
"Shinigami Wo Matsuru" follows a mysterious shrine located in a desolate town in Tohoku. Rumors say that if you visit the shrine for 30 days straight and donate sweets, you will be able to experience an euphoric death. The novel is divided into different short stories that follow different characters and their perspective on the shrine. The book touches on the aging population crisis in Japan and tests the reader on morality. The book is at a middle school level for Japanese speakers and contains very advanced kanji with little furigana. However, even though challenging, it is a very interesting read.
Other Opportunities?
日本語テーブル (Nihongo Taberu) (Japanese Table)
While JSA and other student groups are one way to get involved with the Japanese-speaking community, another on-campus opportunity for Japanese speakers is the 日本語テーブル hosted by Professor Ayumi Mita and Professor Masanori Shiomi. The 日本語テーブル occurs once a week during the semester, where students can practice their Japanese or meet other Japanese speakers. Regardless of whether you are a native Japanese speaker or someone learning Japanese, all are welcome!
I have posted the flyer for the 日本語テーブル below, but feel free to reach out Professor Mita and Professor Shiomi for more information!
Japanese Book Recommendations!
1. "Toto-Chan, The Girl by the Window" by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi
This is actually the first book Dr. Jorenby read entirely in Japanese and inspired her to keep reading Japanese Literature. The story centers around a girl named Totto, where she describes her experiences at her new school: Tomoe Gakuen. However, this school is not an ordinary school. In fact, her classroom is made out of an old train and the students are allowed to choose their academic courses and curriculars. This novel is a children's chapter book and is relatively easy for intermediate to advance Japanese speakers.
2. 1Q84 (いちきゅうはちよん) by Haruki Murakami
Haruki Murakami is a well-respected Japanese author. 1Q84 is an alternate story based on the American novel, 1984 by George Orwell. This is a recommended novel as a first-time read for those who are learning Japanese as a second language. Although all of Murakami's novels are a great choice for Japanese learners as the language is simple while exploring interesting themes.
3. Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata (SPECIAL RECOMMENDATION)
"Snow Country" is a special recommendation by Dr. Jorenby as it is one of her most respected and enjoyed reads. This novels follows a love affair between a wealthy dilettante and a geisha who are staying in an onsen (hot spring) village. "Snow County" is considered to be one of the classis works of Japanese literature and was one of three novels to be selected by the Nobel Committee in 1968. The book may be a bit challenging for Japanese learners, but it is definitely worth the challenge.
4. ばいばい、バッグレディ ("Bye Bye Bag Lady") by Marnie Jorenby (SPECIAL RECOMMENDATION)
ばいばい、バッグレディ is our very own Dr. Marnie Jorenby's first novel that was entirely written in Japanese. This story follows a high-school sophomore, Akebi Aikawa, whose father ends up being saved by a strange, homeless lady. The lady ends up staying with Akebi's father in his apartment, but strange things begin to happen. Akebi can hear a strange voice, like a child's voice, coming from the lady's room. Please read this moving story while trying to solve the mystery behind the bag lady.
5. こんばんは、太陽の塔 ("Good Evening, Tower of the Sun") (SPECIAL RECOMMENDATION)
こんばんは、太陽の塔 is the most recently published book by Dr. Marnie Jorenby. The novel follows an American woman named Katia (Kah-tee-ah) who is lovers with a teacher named Ryder. However, suddenly, Ryder accidentally lands a teaching job in Osaka at an all-girls school, seemingly running away from America. There, Katia discovers a sun tower that has a face that resembles Ryder. Please read this novel to find out more about Katia's struggles as a foreign woman trying to find her future in a foreign land.
10 Tips and Tricks to Reading Japanese Literature as a Second-Language Learner!
Here are some tips and tricks recommended by Dr. Jorenby and I for those studying Japanese and looking to start reading Japanese Literature in Japanese.
Remember that the most challenging part of starting to read novels in Japanese is THE FIRST BOOK--don't give up too quickly!
Do not pick an incredibly long novel as your first book--start short and work your way up to longer novels
As you read the first 20 pages, you will start picking up on what words are more important than others for understanding the story. This is the time to make sure that you understand these words' meaning. Dr. Jorenby notes that this is the time to develop the “right vocabulary to read the book.”
After 20 pages, do not keep getting hung up on words you do not know. Dr. Jorenby says that it is important to develop "the ability to keep turning pages and treating it like a puzzle"
Highlight or underline vocabulary and/or kanji you do not know to go back to after you're done reading. This will also help you keep reading without getting hung up on every word
Set designated time(s) and day(s) for consistently reading. For me, I read two to four hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays. For Dr. Jorenby, she would read on the train every day for consistency.
It is okay to have gaps--or even serious gaps--of understanding a book. As you keep reading, hopefully, you will be able to piece the puzzles together. Otherwise, feel free to take a moment to dissect a small chunk of the book.
There is no short cuts or strategies with kanji--you either know it or you do not. Feel free to keep a kanji dictionary on you and use it as you feel comfortable. You may be able to use context clues to get by.
If a book is too challenging or too easy (and you are not enjoying it), feel free to stop and pick up a different one. In order to make reading a habit, you should be falling in love with it.
Of course, have fun!
While I am sure there are other tips and tricks out there for readers, I hope at least some of these provided in this blog post will help you with starting to read or get back into reading novels in Japanese!
Good Luck! 頑張れよ！
