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Strange Weather in Tokyo

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Strange Weather in Tokyo
AuthorHiromi Kawakami
Original titleセンセイの鞄 (Sensei's bag)
TranslatorAllison Markin Powell
LanguageJapanese
GenreLiterary fiction
PublisherHeibonsha (Japanese) Counterpoint (English)
Publication date
June 1, 2001 (Japan)
April 10, 2012 (English, first edition)
November 14, 2017 (English, second edition)
Publication placeJapan
Pages277 (Japanese)
208 (English, first edition)
192 (English, second edition)
AwardsTanizaki Prize
ISBN978-1582435992
Preceded by溺れる (Remember) 
Followed byパレード (Parade) 

Strange Weather in Tokyo (センセイの鞄, Sensei no kaban, lit. Sensei's bag) is a 2001 novel by Hiromi Kawakami, published by Heibonsha. It won the 37th Tanizaki Prize in the same year.[1] In 2012, an English translation by Allison Markin Powell was published by Counterpoint with the title The Briefcase.[2] In 2013, The Briefcase was shortlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize and the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize. Later, in 2017, Counterpoint republished Powell's translation with the new title Strange Weather in Tokyo.[3]

Synopsis

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Strange Weather in Tokyo follows Tsukiko Omachi, a 30-year-old woman and office worker, as she stumbles upon her old high school teacher, Harutsuna Matsumoto—referred to mostly by his title, Sensei—at an izakaya. From then on, a romance ensues.

Critical reception

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The English translation of Strange Weather in Tokyo made it on several recommendation lists, including those published by The Guardian and NPR.[4][5] The New York Times, in an article recommending 52 books for 52 places, recommended the novel for Tokyo.[6] The Japan Society called it "an understated, poetic, gentle, profound, thoughtful, poignant, beautiful book" and lauded Powell, "who has skilfully retained the poetry and beauty of the original."[7]

In 2013, The Briefcase was shortlisted for the Man Asian Literary Prize and the Independent Foreign Fiction Prize.[8][9]

Adaptations

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Japan

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In 2003, the novel was adapted as a television series for Wowow directed by Teruhiko Kuze. It won several awards, including the Galaxy Award.[10]

In 2005, Kuze and screenwriter Kikumi Yamagishi adapted the novel to stage starring Kenji Sawada as Sensei and Maki Sakai as Tsukiko. Performances ran from August through September in Bunkamura, Shin-Kobe Oriental Theater, and Meitetsu Hall.[11] Another stage adaptation, directed by Makino Nozomi with Kenji Sawada reprising his role as Sensei, was shown in 2010. It was shown in Kinokuniya Southern Theater and recast Tsukiko with Yasuko Tomita.[12]

In 2008, NHK Radio 1 adapted the novel to a five-episode radio drama aired from October 12 to November 23, narrated by Toshiyuki Nishida and Keiko Takeshita.[13]

From 2008 to 2009, Futabasha adapted the novel to a serialized manga, with Kawakami requesting that Jiro Taniguchi handle its illustration. The manga adaptation also included Kawakami's novella, Parade.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "各賞紹介｜中央公論新社". www.chuko.co.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  2. ^ Kawakami, Hiromi (10 April 2012). The Briefcase. Translated by Powell, Allison Markin. Counterpoint. ISBN 978-1582435992.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  3. ^ Kawakami, Hiromi (14 November 2017). Strange Weather in Tokyo. Counterpoint. ISBN 978-1640090163.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ Thomas, Russell (30 June 2020). "10 of the best books set in Japan – that will take you there". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  5. ^ Moreno-Garcia, Silvia (30 June 2018). "Step Away From The 'Trauma Buffet' With These 5 Beach Reads By Authors Of Color". NPR. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  6. ^ de León, Concepción (28 February 2020). "52 Books for 52 Places". The New York Times. Retrieved 6 November 2024.
  7. ^ Meehan, Susan. "Strange Weather in Tokyo". The Japan Society. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  8. ^ Flood, Alison (9 January 2013). "Man Asian literary prize shortlist stages Booker re-match". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  9. ^ Flood, Alison (8 April 2014). "Knausgaard heads Independent foreign fiction prize shortlist". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  10. ^ "2013年（平成25年）日本民間放送連盟賞において「ダブルフェイス 偽装警察編」が優秀を受賞！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES (in Japanese). 19 September 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  11. ^ "舞台（2005センセイの鞄）". juliegasaikou.o.oo7.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  12. ^ "新センセイの鞄". julies.world.coocan.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  13. ^ NHK. "データベースで探す". NHKクロニクル (in Japanese). Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  14. ^ 谷口ジロー (in Japanese). コロナ ブックス. 10 October 2018. ISBN 978-4-582-63514-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
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