TARGET USERS of this textbook: Each text is labeled with an approximate Japanese proficiency level, and the instructor can choose an appropriate text for the students. The level of the texts for Japanese proficiency is varied from Intermediate High (2-3 years of Japanese) to Advanced (more than 3 years of Japanese). The textbook is suitable for the Japanese classes such as Advanced Japanese reading and Japanese literature. GOALS: 1. To improve learners' Japanese reading ability as well as their critical thinking skill through reading the selected texts from a "well-established" collection of Japanese literature. Each section provides insightful reading comprehension questions, discussion topics for group/class discussions, and topics for writing activities. 2. To promote the learners' Japanese socio-historical and cultural awareness and provide knowledge which is manifested in the texts. The learners also will turn their eyes to their own culture and society, and will be able to compare and contrast differences between two countries. 3. To promote learners' understanding of other cultures and the existence of various practices and perspectives through discussions. FEATURES: 1. There are seven chapters, and each chapter consists of 2-3 reading texts from modern Japanese literature relevant to the topic/theme. Reading texts (some of them are excerpts) are carefully selected in a variety of literary genres, e.g., novels, short stories, and poetry including tanka and haiku. Please note, that due to copyright restrictions, the newer reading texts are not included. 2. Each exercise consists of a brief biographical information of the author, questions to help the learners' reading comprehension, discussion and essay topics to improve their overall reading and critical thinking ability. 3. Masterpieces of Japanese literature are of high cultural value and are written in sophisticated Japanese language, and provide universal and culturally specific points to be discussed. Therefore, the learners will gain a sense of accomplishment after finishing each chapter. 4. The textbook intends to provide the deeper understanding of the socio-historical and cultural background of the selected literary texts and the authors as well as improve overall communication skills by sharing opinions and ideas through discussion and writing activities. 5. The textbook helps the learners to become life-long, independent learners of Japanese. CONTENTS: Chapter 1: Family • Natsume Soseki "Bocchan" • Yoshimoto Banana "Kitchen" • Tachibana-no Akemi "Dokurakugin" Chapter 2: Life and Death • Mori Ogai "Takase-bune" • Miura Ayako "Shiokari Tooge" Chapter 3: Love and Marriage • Yosano Akiko "Midare gami" (tanka poems) • Kawabata Yasunari "Izu Dancer" • Mishima Yukio "Shiosai" Chapter 4: Good and Evil • Akutagawa Ryunosuke "Kumo no ito" • Miyazawa Kenji "Ame nimo makezu" "Dancing hobbit" Chapter 5: Peace and War • Kurihara Sadako "Umashimenkana" "Hiroshima to iu toki" (poems) • Seno Kappa "A Boy called H" Chapter 6: Nature and Environment • Masaoka Shiki - Haiku • Miyazawa Kenji "Ame nimo makezu" • Hoshino Tomihiro "Kaze no tabi" (poems) Chapter 7: Individuals and Society • Hoshi Shinichi "A Secretary on the Shoulder" • Murakami Haruki "A Day in the Life"