Eiji Yoshikawa

Eiji Yoshikawa (吉川 英治 Yoshikawa Eiji, August 11, 1892 - September 7, 1962) was a Japanese historical novelist, who is mostly retelling existing stories. Among his most well-known novels, most are revisions of past works. For instance the original manuscript of Taiko is about 15 volumes, so Yoshikawa took up the job to retell it in close and accessible language. His other books also serve similar purposes and although most of his novels aren't orignal, he had created huge amount of work and renewed the interest for the past times. He was awarded the Cultural Order of Merit in 1960 and the Mainichi Art Award just before his death in 1962, of cancer. Deservingly he is cited as one of the best Japanese and World-wide historical novelists.

Works in Print in Japanese

The Japanese publisher Kodansha currently publishes an 80-volume series: Yoshikawa Eiji Rekishi Jidai Bunko, or Eiji Yoshikawa's Historical Fiction in Paperback. Kodansha numbers the series from 1 to 80.

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• 1 - 険難女難 (Kennan Jonan) - Sword Trouble, Woman Trouble
• 2 - 4 (in three volumes) - 鳴門秘帖 (Naruto Hitcho) - Secret Record of Naruto
• 5 - 7 (in three volumes) - 江戸三國志 (Edo Sangoku-shi) - The Three Kingdoms of Edo
• 8 - かんかん虫は唄う (Kankan Mushi wa Utau) - "Kan-kan the insect sings" and other stories
• 9 - 牢獄の花嫁 (Rougoku no Hanayome) - The Jail Bride
• 10 - 松の露八 (Matsu no Rohachi) - Rohachi of the Pines
• 11 - 13 (in three volumes) - 親鸞 (Shinran)
• 14 - 21 (in eight volumes) - 宮本武蔵 (Miyamoto Musashi)
• 22 - 32 (in eleven volumes) - 新書太閣記 (Shinsho Taiko ki) - Paperback Life of the Taiko
• 33 - 40 (in eight volumes) - 三國志 (Sangoku shi) - Romance of the Three Kingdoms
• 41 - 42 (in two volumes) - 源頼朝 (Minamoto Yoritomo)
• 43 - 上杉謙信 (Uesugi Kenshin)
• 44 - 黒田如水 (Kuroda Yoshitaka)
• 45 - 大岡越前 (Ooka Echizen)
• 46 - 平の将門 (Taira no Masakado)
• 47 - 62 (in sixteen volumes) - 新家物語 (Shin Heike monogatari) - New Tale of the Heike
• 63 - 70 (in eight volumes) - 私本太平記 (Shihon Taihei ki) - Private Record of the Pacific War
• 71 - 74 (in four volumes) - 新水滸伝 (Shin Suikoden) - New Tales from the Water Margin
• 75 - 治朗吉格子 (Jirokichi Goshi) - "Jirokichi Goshi" and other stories
• 76 - 柳生月影沙 (Yagyu Tsukikage sho) - "The Papers of Yagyu Tsukikage" and other stories
• 77 - 忘れ残りの記 (Wasurenokori no ki) - Record of Things Left Unforgotten
• 78 - 80 (in three volumes) - 神州天馬侠 (Shinshu Tenma Kyo)