What are the classics that I should read in order to be well

Pee Pee in Coke
- Fuk U. Fas

you have to memorise the entire manyooshuu and kokinwakashuu if you ever want to be well-versed in classical japanese lit. i'm not joking

Start with the gooks

it's my understanding that you have to be well versed in the languages of those cultures to even begin to invest yourself in the literature

For Chinese, there's the big four of Journey to the West, Three Kingdoms, Water Margin, and Dream of the Red Chamber.

I've only read the first three, but it's clear that unless you can read it like a native, there's no way you can get a proper understanding of the content through the translations, which are varying degrees of awful.

>>8587182
I'm not personally a fan of Genji, and it's a real pain to read in the original text too...

In terms of similar works, there's not too much in terms of epics. I would say that the Tale of the Heike would be your best bet. I love it. The Tales of Ise is also good. You could also look at the Kojiki, but there are no real good translations these days. The vast majority of Japanese literature in the premodern era is going to be poetry, so I'd just recommend an anthology for that