Hideo Furukawa is a dynamic and compelling Japanese contemporary writer. Being an admirer of Haruki Murakami and acknowledged by many in the Japanese literary world as the successor to the literature giant’s legacy, he paid homage to him in his novella Slow Boat to China (Chugoku yuki no suro boto) (2006). However, through his eagerness to experiment and the diversity in his works he is regarded as an influential writer in his own right.

His works include The Arabian Nightbreeds (Arabia no yoru no shuzoku)(2001) a story which takes place in 13th century Egypt and won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award and the Japan SF Grand Prize in 2002; Love (2005) a tale of youth which won the Yukio Mishima Award in 2006; and The Book of 300 Treacherous Women (Onna-tachi sanbyaku-nin no uragiri no sho) (2015) based on the classic Tale of Genji, for which he received the Noma Prize for New Writers and the Yomiuri Literature Prize in 2015.

In this special talk, Furukawa will discuss how influential Haruki Murakami is in the Japanese literary world, particularly through the 21st Century scope. He will also explain his own style of writing, how Haruki Murakami has influenced his work, and his view on the contemporary Japanese literary world.

After the talk, Furukawa will be joined in conversation by Stephen Dodd, Professor of Japanese Literature at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS).

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Hideo Furukawa will also be attending JAPAN NOW at the British Library from 14:45 on 25 January. To find out more please visit: www.japannow.co.uk

JAPAN NOW is programmed by Modern Culture in partnership with the Japan Foundation and University of Sheffield. Supported by Arts Council England, Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation, Writers’ Centre Norwich and the Japan Society

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Haruki Murakami and I- A Talk by Hideo Furukawa