Aya Mizukami to release queer and feminist literary criticism collection

Critic Aya Mizukami will release her first collection of criticism and essays, titled ‘Tatta Hitori, Watashi Dake no Heya de: Queer/Feminism to Tomoni Bungaku o Taiken Suru’, on September 18, 2026, through Kawade Shobo Shinsha.

The book examines contemporary Japanese literature through the lenses of queer theory and feminism. Mizukami explores themes such as the body, gender, family, identity, care, and violence to question the social norms and power structures embedded in literary works.

The collection includes analyses of works by several contemporary authors, including Rin Usami, Risa Wataya, Koto Li, Junko Takase, Mieko Kanai, and Rieko Matsuura. It also features book guides, essays, and critical commentary.