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11 — Books
Ten books for reading Kanazawa more deeply.
For readers who want to dig further into the people and events on this site: history, fiction, biography and philosophy closely tied to Kanazawa's land and people. Most are in Japanese; English translations are noted where available.
Bushi no Kakeibo (“A Samurai's Household Accounts”)
Isoda Michifumi (Japanese)
Reconstructs samurai life from the end of the Edo period into Meiji through the detailed household accounts of the Inoyama family, accountants to the Kaga domain. Made into a film.
HistoryThe Maeda Survival Strategy
Toshiie to Matsu (“Toshiie and Matsu”)
Takeyama Hiroshi (Japanese)
By the writer of the 2002 NHK historical drama: the rise of an Owari swaggerer to lord of a million koku, hand in hand with his wife Matsu. An easy introduction.
FictionThe Maeda Survival Strategy
Kita no Umi (“The Northern Sea”)
Inoue Yasushi (Japanese)
An autobiographical novel of a young man drawn to Kanazawa by the Fourth Higher School's judo club. W-zaka, the Sai River and the air of the old higher schools come alive.
The Holy Man of Mount Koya
Izumi Kyoka (English translations available)
A travelling monk lost in the mountains meets a mysterious, beautiful woman. The ideal entry into Kyoka's world of fantasy.
Arakure (“Rough Living”)
Tokuda Shusei (English translation available)
The life of O-Shima, a woman who works hard and clashes with men in Meiji Tokyo. Considered a high point of Japanese naturalism.
Sei ni Mezameru Koro
Murou Saisei (Japanese)
An autobiographical novel of a boy growing up in a temple by the Sai River. Read it before walking around Uhoin, the temple where Saisei was raised.
Toki no Haka (“The Grave of the Crested Ibis”)
Itsuki Hiroyuki (Japanese)
A novel of love between a woman of Kanazawa's teahouse district and a Russian officer during the Russo-Japanese War, by the writer who named Akari-zaka.
FictionStreets & Teahouse Districts
Zen and Japanese Culture
D.T. Suzuki (written in English)
The classic that introduced Zen and Japanese culture to the West, tracing the spirit of Zen in tea, swordsmanship and haiku.
ThoughtKanazawa People Abroad
An Inquiry into the Good
Nishida Kitaro (English translation available)
Rooted in his years teaching at the Fourth Higher School, often called Japan's first original work of philosophy. Take home at least the idea of “pure experience”.
Taiwan o Aishita Nihonjin (“The Japanese Who Loved Taiwan”)
Furukawa Katsumi (Japanese)
A biography of Hatta Yoichi based on research in Taiwan, covering the whole story of the Wushantou Reservoir — and why Taiwanese people still honour him.
BiographyKanazawa People Abroad
Details reflect original publication; editions and publishers may have changed. Please check with booksellers for current availability.
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