japanese literature

in english

search japanese books translated into english:

about

japanese literature in english is a searchable database that compiles all literary works translated from japanese to english and available in the united states (with some exceptions). entries are still being added, the site is still in the process of being updated, and suggestions for inclusion are welcome. please use the contact page.

my name is allison markin powell.  i’m a literary translator and editor and publishing consultant who has worked in the publishing industry for many years.  i translate fiction, nonfiction, biography, memoir, essays, and manga.  i have been awarded grants from the NEA and english PEN, and the 2020 PEN translation prize for my translation of the ten loves of nishino by hiromi kawakami.  i served as cochair of the PEN america translation committee and currently represent the translation committee on PEN’s board of trustees. with esther allen, i was the co-host and co-organizer of the online conference, translating the future. i was the guest editor for words without borders first japan issue. i am a founding member of the translation collectives, cedilla & co. and strong women, soft power (SWSP). i helped curate the literary translation clinics with the center for fiction and the JFNY author/translator literary series.

here is a list of most of my other published translations:

by ryunosuke akutagawa

kappa

by shiori ito

black box

by hiromi kawakami

strange weather in tokyo, shortlisted for the 2014 independent foreign fiction prize and originally published in the US as the briefcase, shortlisted for the 2012 man asian literary prize

the nakano thrift shop

the ten loves of nishino

parade, longlisted for the 2020 best translated book award

by suzumi suzuki

gifted

by kaoru takamura

lady joker, volume one

lady joker, volume two, longlisted for the 2023 CWA daggers award

by osamu dazai

schoolgirl

no longer human, illustrated by usamaru furuya

by fuminori nakamura

last winter, we parted

the gun

the boy in the earth

by shunmyo masuno

the art of simple living

don’t worry

how to let things go