"Mushi" is based on the short story titled "Mushi".
(In original Japanese, each segment has the same title as its source material.)
I'm not familiar with foreign translations of his works, so I don't know if it's translated to English (or any other language for that matter).
I was under the impression that most, if not all, of his short works had seen print through Kurodahan / Tuttle.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but if "Kurodahan / Tuttle" mean
"The Edogawa Rampo Reader" and "Japanese Tales of Mystery & Imagination" respectively,
together they contain 18 stories, but Rampo wrote some 50.
(Of course, it's ambiguous which stories should be categorized as "short", so the number may vary.)
Here's a list of his short stories compiled by a Japanese fan:
http://inat.cool.ne.jp/rampo/english/list_short.htmAlthough the writer disclaims it's "an unfinished draft", I think it's still useful for some.
In Japan, "Mushi" is one of his better known shorts.
I was surprised a little to find it's not included in the 2 aforementioned books.
While most of them are very famous and obvious choices for that kind of anthology,
each contains less known works (such as "The Cliff" and "The Air Raid Shelter").
reply
share
psychomantium
14 years ago
Jadow81,
Thanks for the detailed information as well as the bibliography - it is very much appreciated! One of my greatest regrets is not having the opportunity to better acquaint myself with the Japanese language during my post-graduate days. Suffice to say, much of the most exceptional modernist, symbolist and horror fiction I have ever encountered has been of Japanese origin and Rampo is certainly no exception to this rule. Unfortunately, most of the allegedly comprehensive French and English language bibliographies I have encountered appear to be woefully lacking in detail.
I can’t really say that I’m surprised regarding the obscurity of certain works contained in the aforementioned English language Rampo collections. Non-native readers are often subject to the personal and academic predilections of professional translators and in many instances significant or popular works are excised in favor of material that is less familiar in order to garner academic approval or to satisfy the aesthetic preferences of an editor or anthologist. I have recently encountered equally unusual collections dedicated to authors as diverse as Jean Ray, Cornell Woolrich, Lovecraft and Villiers de l'Isle-Adam. I guess there really is little accounting for taste… ah well… I hope to one day have the opportunity to enjoy Mushi, as well as Rampo’s other un-translated material in English. Thanks again for taking the time to post this useful information!
reply
share
jadow81
14 years ago
psychomantium,
This is a bit OT, but I just came across an essay that might interrest you:
"Three Tales of Doll-Love by Edogawa Ranpo" (PDF)
http://shinku.nichibun.ac.jp/jpub/pdf/jr/IJ1211.pdf
"Mushi" is one of the tales discussed there.
(If you don't want spoilers, you should skip the section
discussing "Hitodenashi no Koi",
which is not included in the 2 aforementioned books.)
Just FYI.
reply
share
psychomantium
14 years ago
Hey Jadow81, thanks so much for this! Fascinating stuff - I really appreciate it! It is a pleasure to make the acquaintance of such a well-read and erudite aficionado of the horror/mystery genres!
reply
share