A Translational History of The Dream of the Red Chamber in Japan

The Dream of the Red Chamber, also known as The Story of the Stone, is regarded as the pinnacle of Chinese literature and has been translated into many languages. Its English translation has been a subject of scholarly interest whereas much less attention is paid to its multiple translations into Japanese. The rich literary connection between China and Japan cannot be overemphasized. From Heian prose to Edo stories, Chinese classical literature has influenced and left its mark on Japanese literature. Considering the towering figure of the Red Chamber in Chinese literature and the significance of literary communication between China and Japan, this paper attempts to bring the Japanese translations of the Red Chamber into focus and map out the itineraries of its journey in Japan. The authors will scrutinize the translators’ educational background and social status to reveal how these factors contribute to the distinct features of each translation and its circulation. It is hoped that the examination of the Japanese translations of the Red Chamber will become a springboard for more research into the vibrant intersection of Chinese and Japanese literature, thus contributing to the fields of translation studies and world literature.