Japanese novels

[Takeo Saeki]

I wonder, have any Japanese books been translated into English? I have heard of books written in one language and then translated and reprinted in another. Specifically, have the novels that the movies 洛ｾ and リング were based on been translated into English? Of course those aren't the only books i'd like to read, but they are the only two that I know about.

[Mukade]

Yes, lots. Although not as many as other languages (like French or German).

Some authors who have been translated (this is just off the top of my head and in no particular order):

Miyazawa Kenji
Nakagami Kenji
Yoshikawa Eiji
Mori Ogai
Murakami Haruki
Kawabata Yasunari (Nobel Prize winner)
Yu Miri
Amy Yamada
Murakami Ryu
Shimada Masahiko
Oe Kenzaburo (Nobel Prize winner)
Akutagawa Ryunosuke
Murasaki Shikibu
Mishima Yukio
Natsume Soseki
Dazai Osamu
Chikamatsu
Abe Kobo
Enchi Fumiko
Hayashi Fumiko
Ibuse Masuji
Yoshimoto Banana

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edit:
just thought I'd add the Nobel Prize winner notes...

[pikctsach]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/sitb-n ... 09-0586560
とっとちゃん　は　　とてもいい本を思います。
このリンクを参照してみて！読んでみて！
Really really interesting book that I have ever read.

[kappa]

I dont know whether this meets the criteria, but how about the Tale of Genji(源氏の物語)?

[Taojinn]

Genji was the first documented novel in the world so I think it does meet the criteria. Also it's a great book but if your looking for somethin a little more 21 century, check out translations of the Wind-up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami.

[Frumious Boojum]

If you're interested in the Ringu series or Dark Water, the books by Koji Suzuki that those were based on have been translated:

Ring: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932234411
Spiral: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932234160
Loop: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932234160
Dark Water: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932234225

Coming in September of this year by Koji Suzuki:
Paradise: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932234233
Birthday: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1932234292 (This is the prequel to Ringu, detailing Sadako's past)