Issue 110 (September 2025, Volume 20, Number 3)

This issue of The Japan Society Review highlights the breadth and nuance of Japanese cultural narratives, from speculative fiction and independent film to historical biography and contemporary art. Covering literature, cinema, and more, the September issue offers a diverse and engaging set of reviews that reflect both enduring traditions and fresh creative perspectives.

We begin with Splendours of Japan: Highlights from the Bodleian Library, a beautifully curated volume that brings together rare manuscripts, prints, and artefacts from one of the world’s most prestigious libraries. This review explores how the book illuminates Japan’s literary and artistic heritage through the lens of Western collecting and scholarship.

In biography, A Man of Resolve: Richard Henry Brunton by Geoff Goolnik presents the life and legacy of the Scottish engineer who played a pivotal role in Japan’s Meiji-era modernisation. Goolnik’s account offers a compelling portrait of cross-cultural exchange and the enduring impact of Brunton’s work on Japan’s infrastructure and development.

Literary fiction is represented by Eclipse by Hirano Keiichiro, a philosophical and emotionally resonant novel that delves into questions of identity, memory, and moral ambiguity. In contrast, Harlequin Butterfly by EnJoe Toh challenges readers with its genre-defying blend of science fiction, surrealism, and metafiction, offering a cerebral and imaginative reading experience.

In film, Happyend, directed by Neo Sora, is a striking debut set in a dystopian near-future Tokyo, where AI surveillance and authoritarian control loom large and a group of friends navigate adolescence and rebellion in a society increasingly hostile to individuality.

Finally, we feature Shibuya Sho: Falling from the Sky, an exhibition that presents the haunting and ethereal works of the contemporary artist. Through evocative imagery and abstract forms, Shibuya’s art invites reflection on fragility, transformation, and the unseen forces that shape our world.