Hello! I thought I might drop by and continue the conversation here! Pleasure to meet you and thanks for following.
Please do by all means read more Murakami novels, amazing stuff! I prefer his magical realism and complex experiences like in that of Kafka on the Shore, Wind Up Bird Chronicle among others! Wild Sheep Chase and Sputnik sweetheart are smaller lighter novels which were some of my favourite too :)
Your bear story also reminds me of Bears of Nametoko by Miyazawa Kenji. Your writing style is full of poise and confidence. Wonderful work, truly. It's rare to find people who write Japanese style literary fiction; glad I came across your account. Congrats on all the publishing opportunities so far. The Lit Fic network also has various things going on like reading lists, featured reads, starting up a short story anthology, so we will get your work on the account and let me know if you have any short story work you'd like on the anthology!
Do share about your teaching experiences if you have time. I often visit Japan but mainly Tokyo. I'm going this December actually. Might be looking at teaching after I finish the rest of my degree. But at the same time I almost hope I'll be busy enough with my writing that I'd have to reconsider lol!
よろしくお願いします。