Introducing T.J. Coulton

My four novels are all set in Japan. I’ve drawn on my long association with the country to paint an authentic backdrop. The characters depicted, the settings and the minutiae of Japanese life are all the result of years of careful observation. I hope you enjoy the stories.

In this web site, I am keen to share my thoughts on Japan, on writing in general, and just about anything else that springs to mind. Thank you for taking the time to browse.

SETSUKO ENDO

"Setsuko Endo” is my latest novel, a departure from my earlier crime thrillers.

Our heroine, a bookish office worker from Tokyo, embarks on a pilgrimage along an ancient Japanese trail.

An encounter with a mysterious stranger becomes the catalyst for a profound upheaval in her life. The ground starts to slip beneath her feet.

Over time, her notions of reality become ever more entangled. She searches for a safe haven to reconcile them.

Prepare to be intrigued by this thought-provoking mystery.
On Japan
Grappling with Japan. A substantial writing challenge
Grappling with Japan. A substantial writing challenge

After their shock 2-1 win over Germany in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the Japanese fans paused their stadium celebrations to bag up all their rubbish. Japan is another country; they do things differently there.

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Stepping back into ancient Japan
Stepping back into ancient Japan

Some years ago, my wife and I completed a pilgrimage in Japan. In a land where pilgrim trails abound, ours was a path less travelled.

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On Writing
Chrysanthemum and the Plum. Pierre Loti’s evolving view of Japan.
Chrysanthemum and the Plum. Pierre Loti’s evolving view of Japan.

Separated by 15 years, Loti’s two novels set in Nagasaki strike a quite different chord.

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Unwrapping Pierre Loti
Unwrapping Pierre Loti

Lauded in his lifetime, member of the Académie française, Pierre Loti sank into obscurity. With the centenary of his death, there has been a rekindling of interest.

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Thoughts on Balzac
Thoughts on Balzac

Balzac claimed “A generation is a drama of four or five thousand prominent characters. That drama is my book.” 

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Flaubert’s “Un Coeur Simple”
Flaubert’s “Un Coeur Simple”

“I worked 16 hours yesterday, all day today and by this evening I’ve finally finished the first page.”

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On Reflection
The Commentator’s Curse
The Commentator’s Curse

Wimbledon is magical. Breathtaking skills on the most demanding surface, manicured courts, immaculate officials, knowledgeable and respectful crowds.

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Snake charming
Snake charming

On the hottest day of the year, we attended a party at London Zoo.

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In Memoriam
In Memoriam

I find scything my field particularly satisfying. Economical and quiet, it lends itself to contemplation. A tonic for the body and the mind.

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The gift that keeps on giving
The gift that keeps on giving

Reclining on my 40-year-old collapsible garden chair, I found myself dropping off while listening to a BBC interview with Martin Amis. He had died two days previously.

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101 Small Mysteries of Japan
“At your convenience”
“At your convenience”

It is difficult to be caught short in Tokyo. On a recent stroll through a suburban Tokyo park, I was relieved to come across a magnificent public lavatory. And then another…

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“Rules of engagement”
“Rules of engagement”

My three-year-old grandson is learning to follow the rules at his Japanese kindergarten. Slowly. It has taken him a while to twig that life in Japan comes with strings attached.

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“Presentation matters”
“Presentation matters”

We’re told not to judge a book by its cover. But my slapdash gift-wrapping at Christmas raises few expectations.

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“Sushi secrets”
“Sushi secrets”

Surely this ubiquitous bite-sized titbit holds few surprises? But as with most things Japanese, there is more to it than meets the eye.

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