Jun'ichirō Tanizaki published 12 novels, 2 short story collections, 2 non-fiction books and 1 play, beginning with Naomi (1925). The best-known is The Makioka Sisters (1948).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Start here
The Makioka Sisters
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Naomi (Jul 1925)
Some Prefer Nettles (Nov 1929)
Quicksand (Apr 1931)
Ashikari (1932)
Bushuko Hiwa (1935)
Ashikari and the Story of Shunkin (1936)
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women (Jul 1936)
The Makioka Sisters (1948)
The Key (Dec 1956)
Diary of a Mad Old Man (1961)
The Maids (1963)
The Reed Cutter and Captain Shigemoto's Mother (1994)
Short story collections in order
Seven Japanese Tales (1963)
The Gourmet Club (2001)
Non-fiction in order
In Praise of Shadows (1933)
Childhood Years (1957)
Plays in order
Okuni and Gohei (Apr 1952)
Film and TV adaptations
- Manji (1964)Film · from Quicksand
- Manji (2006)Film · from Quicksand
- Shozo, a Cat and Two Women (1956)Film · from A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
- The Makioka Sisters (1983)Film · from The Makioka Sisters
- Odd Obsession (1959)Film · from The Key
- The Key (1983)Film · from The Key
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About Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki was a Japanese author who is considered to be one of the most prominent figures in modern Japanese literature. The tone and subject matter of his work range from shocking depictions of sexuality and destructive erotic obsessions to subtle portrayals of the dynamics of family life within the context of the rapid changes in 20th-century Japanese society. Frequently, his stories are narrated in the context of a search for cultural identity in which the West and Japanese tradition are juxtaposed.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Jun'ichirō Tanizaki FAQ
- How many books has Jun'ichirō Tanizaki written?
- Jun'ichirō Tanizaki published 12 novels, 2 short story collections, 2 non-fiction books and 1 play that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with The Makioka Sisters.
- What is Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's last book?
- The Maids (1963).
- What is Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's most famous book?
- The Makioka Sisters (1948) is Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's most widely read book.
- Which Jun'ichirō Tanizaki books have been adapted?
- 4 books have been adapted for film or TV, including Quicksand (as Manji, film, 1964), A Cat, A Man, and Two Women (as Shozo, a Cat and Two Women, film, 1956), The Makioka Sisters (film, 1983) and The Key (as Odd Obsession, film, 1959).
- Can I read Jun'ichirō Tanizaki's books for free?
- Yes. 1 book by Jun'ichirō Tanizaki is in the public domain in the US and free to read online or download here.
Authors like Jun'ichirō Tanizaki
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers, free texts from Project Gutenberg. Last updated September 2026.