"The Sea of Fertility" is a four-part epic that follows the life of Shigekuni Honda, a man who believes in reincarnation. The series spans several decades, beginning in the early 20th century and ending in the 1970s, and explores Japanese history, culture, and spirituality. As Honda encounters individuals he believes to be the reincarnations of his childhood friend, he grapples with questions of identity, mortality, and the nature of the soul.

"Silence" is a historical novel set in the 17th century, which follows a Portuguese Jesuit missionary who travels to Japan to comfort local Christians and find his mentor, who is rumored to have renounced his faith. The protagonist experiences the brutal persecution of Christians by the Japanese government, and grapples with the silence of God in the face of suffering. The narrative explores themes of faith, doubt, cultural clash, and the human capacity for both cruelty and endurance.

"The Makioka Sisters" is a novel set in pre-World War II Japan, following the lives of four sisters from a once-wealthy Osaka family. The story focuses on their struggles to maintain their traditional lifestyle and status in a rapidly changing society. The two elder sisters are concerned with finding a suitable husband for the third sister, while the youngest sister, more modern and independent, resists the constraints of her family's expectations. The book provides a detailed and nuanced exploration of the clash between tradition and modernity in Japanese society.

"The Twilight Years" is a poignant story revolving around the life of a middle-aged woman who is burdened with the responsibility of taking care of her ageing and ailing father-in-law while trying to balance her work and personal life. The novel explores the themes of old age, family responsibilities, societal expectations, and the struggles of women in a patriarchal society. It offers a critical examination of the social, cultural, and personal issues related to aging and care-giving in post-war Japan.

The novel centers around an aging businessman who, upon hearing nightly sounds from the nearby mountain, begins to confront his own mortality and the complexities within his family. As he navigates his strained relationship with his wife, his adulterous son, and his daughter-in-law whom he harbors feelings for, he experiences a profound sense of solitude and existential dread. The narrative subtly explores themes of aging, alienation, and the ephemeral nature of life.

The novel explores the life of a young man living in post-World War II Japan who grapples with his homosexuality in a society that does not accept it. The protagonist must wear a metaphorical mask to hide his true identity and desires, leading to a life of self-denial and inner turmoil. The narrative delves into themes of identity, sexuality, societal expectations, and the struggle for self-acceptance.

"Forbidden Colours" is a deeply introspective novel that explores themes of beauty, youth, old age, love, and betrayal, set against the backdrop of post-war Japan. The story follows a young, beautiful man who is manipulated by an elderly writer to seek revenge on women. The young man's beauty becomes a weapon, while the old man's bitterness and jealousy drive the plot. The novel delves into the darker aspects of human nature and society's obsession with beauty, providing a stark commentary on the human condition.

The novel is a classic tale of first love between a young fisherman and a pearl diver in a remote Japanese coastal village. The story is set in the post-war era and it explores themes of love, tradition, and the power of nature. The fisherman's love for the pearl diver is tested by the village's gossip and the jealousy of a wealthy rival. Despite the challenges, their love remains pure and steadfast, mirroring the timeless and unchanging rhythm of the sea and the cycles of nature.

The novel is a poignant exploration of the life of a Japanese woman in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, who endures the pain and humiliation of serving her husband's needs by finding him concubines. As she navigates the complexities of her role within a rigidly patriarchal society, she faces the emotional turmoil of sacrificing her own happiness for the sake of family duty and social expectations. The narrative delves into themes of female subjugation, the intricacies of marital relationships, and the silent resilience of women, offering a powerful critique of the era's gender dynamics and the personal costs of adhering to tradition.

The novel delves into the introspective journey of a troubled Japanese writer grappling with his own sense of guilt and the search for redemption. As he navigates through a series of personal tragedies, including familial betrayal and the complexities of love and loss, he embarks on a quest for self-understanding. Set against the backdrop of early 20th-century Japan, the narrative explores the protagonist's inner turmoil and his struggle to reconcile his societal obligations with his desire for personal fulfillment, ultimately leading to a profound transformation.

The book follows the harrowing journey of two boys abandoned at birth in a Tokyo train station locker, who grow up in an orphanage together and form a deep bond. As they navigate a dystopian underworld filled with violence and decay, the boys, now teenagers, embark on a quest for revenge against the mothers who left them and the society that neglected them. Their search for identity and belonging takes them through a surreal landscape of urban chaos, where their shared trauma and desperation for meaning lead them down a destructive path, challenging the reader with themes of abandonment, survival, and the human capacity for both love and brutality.

"Thyestes" is a classic tragedy that centers around the mythological figures of the House of Atreus. The story unfolds as Atreus, the King of Mycenae, seeks revenge on his brother Thyestes for committing adultery with his wife. In a gruesome act of vengeance, Atreus kills Thyestes' sons and serves them to him at a feast. The narrative explores themes of power, betrayal, revenge, and the horrific consequences of unchecked ambition.

The play is a comedic tale set in ancient Greece, where the god Jupiter, enamored with Alcmena, the wife of the general Amphitryon, takes on her husband's form to seduce her while Amphitryon is away at war. Meanwhile, Mercury, the messenger god, assists Jupiter by disguising himself as Amphitryon's slave, Sosia. The resulting confusion and mistaken identities lead to a series of humorous situations, as the real Amphitryon returns home to find his place usurped by the god. The play explores themes of deception, infidelity, and the interplay between gods and mortals, all wrapped up in a farcical package that entertains while it provokes thought about the nature of identity and trust.

This novel tells the story of a schoolteacher and amateur entomologist who travels to a remote seaside village to collect insects. He is tricked into staying the night in a house at the bottom of a sand pit with a mysterious woman, who spends her days shoveling back the ever-encroaching sand. As the days pass, the man realizes he has been trapped and is forced to help the woman with her endless task, leading to a strange and consuming relationship filled with existential dread and fascination.

"The Braggart Soldier" is a classic Roman comedy that revolves around the farcical misadventures of a pompous and cowardly military man who boasts about his exploits in love and war. The play unfolds with a clever slave scheming to outwit his master and help his friend, a young lover, reunite with his kidnapped beloved, who is being held by the braggart soldier. Through a series of humorous deceptions, mistaken identities, and slapstick humor, the characters navigate a world of social hierarchies and romantic entanglements, leading to a resolution that ridicules the soldier's arrogance and celebrates the cunning of the underdog.

"The Hunting Gun" is a poignant tale set in post-war Japan, revolving around the lives of three women who unknowingly share a common bond, a man with whom they are all involved. The man's secret love affairs and the emotional turmoil they cause are revealed through letters from each of the women. The narrative explores themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of human emotions, painting a vivid picture of the human condition and the consequences of hidden passions.

"Pseudolus" is a classic Roman comedy that revolves around the clever and scheming slave Pseudolus, who aims to help his young master Calidorus win the heart of his beloved Phoenicium, a courtesan who is about to be sold to a Macedonian soldier. The play unfolds as Pseudolus concocts a series of intricate and humorous plans to deceive the pimp Ballio, outwit the soldier, and secure Phoenicium's freedom, all while promising his master the impossible. The narrative is filled with witty dialogue, slapstick humor, and satirical commentary on social relations, showcasing the slave's cunning and resourcefulness in the face of adversity.

The play is a classic Roman comedy that revolves around the convoluted love lives and familial disputes of its characters. The central plot focuses on a young man who impregnates his lover, the daughter of his neighbor. The situation is further complicated by the young man's domineering mother-in-law, who is unaware of the relationship and pregnancy. The narrative unfolds with a series of misunderstandings, schemes, and comic relief provided by a cunning slave, ultimately leading to resolutions that restore harmony and social order. The work explores themes of love, deception, and the dynamics of power within family structures, all while offering a satirical look at Roman society.

"The Love Suicides at Sonezaki" is a poignant Japanese play that tells the tragic story of two lovers, a young merchant named Tokubei and a courtesan named Ohatsu, who are driven to commit suicide together due to insurmountable societal pressures and personal betrayals. Set in the pleasure quarters of Osaka, the narrative explores themes of loyalty, love, and the harsh consequences of rigid social structures. As Tokubei faces betrayal by his unscrupulous uncle and Ohatsu suffers at the hands of her manipulative brothel owner, the lovers see no escape from their torment other than through death, leading them to make a profound and tragic decision.

"The Brothers Menaechmus" is a classic Roman comedy that revolves around the hilarious misunderstandings and chaotic events that ensue from a case of mistaken identity. The plot follows the story of two long-lost twin brothers, Menaechmus of Epidamnus and Menaechmus of Syracuse, who were separated in childhood. Unbeknownst to each other, they end up in the same city, where their identical appearances lead to a series of comedic mishaps. Friends, family, and even a wife are all deceived as the twins inadvertently swap places, causing confusion and prompting a comical investigation into apparent infidelity, theft, and madness before the truth is finally revealed and the siblings are joyously reunited.