Cover of paperback edition, bunko, of Sit on The Grass, kusa ni suwaru, by the Naoki prize-winning author Kazufumi Shiraishi published 4th January by Bunshun Bunko.The release of this novel in bunko format, paperback, seven years after it was first published in hardback, tanko, in Japan in Japanese follows a flurry of media interest in and praise for Shiraishi.
This includes interviews in major Japanese publications such as Toyo Keizai, the Asahi Shimbun, and Kateigaho; as well as the serialisation of new works by the multi award-winning author in several Japanese newspapers and magazines; and film and television adaptations of his works.
Cover of TV-adapation edition of 100 Million Yen Sayonara by Kazufumi ShiraishiDespite many die-hard Shiraishi fans being disappointed with this TV-adaptation, alongside last year’s release in Japan of the full-length feature film adaptation of Shiraishi’s Lovers at the Crater, kakoi no futari, it has helped keep the author’s name in the public domain and increased awareness and interest in Shiraishi and his works across Japan.
Sit on The Grass is a collection of five linked profoundly touching short stories. Here Shiraishi, who is a deeply thoughtful author who writes about love, life and the human condition, takes his readers on enigmatic passages spanning despair, awakening and baffling romance, skilfully building on Japan’s long and rich tradition of short form writing.
Readers have described this book’s narratives as ‘immersive’, ‘rich’, ‘responsive’ with ‘characters searching for answers and a way forward that makes you think about life.’ Some have said that the author’s post-script alone is a must read for Shiraishi fans.
This paperback, like the new edition of Shiraishi’s If I Were You…,moshimo watashi ga anata dattara, released in May this year, is being published by Bunshun Bunko, the paperback imprint of Bungeishunju, one of Japan’s most prestigious publishing houses that organises Japan’s two most important literary prizes: the Akutagawa and Naoki Prizes.
It is also the publishing house where Shiraishi worked before making his debut as a novelist in 2000.
Sit on The Grass will be released on 4th January kicking off what is expected to be another very exciting and busy year for the author.
Display of the first six books published in the series Red Circle Minis including Stand-in Companion by Kazufumi Shiraishi translated into English by Raj Mahtani . Photograph: Red Circle Authors Limited
About Red Circle:Red Circle Authors Limited is a specialist publishing and communications company that conducts bespoke projects on behalf of a carefully selected and curated group of leading Japanese authors. Red Circle showcases Japan’s best creative writing. For more information on Red Circle, Japanese literature, and Red Circle authors please visit: www.redcircleauthors.com.-
About Kazufumi Shiraishi:Kazufumi Shiraishi had a successful career, spanning two decades, as a journalists working for one of Japan's highest profile monthly magazines, Bungeishinju, before following in the steps of his father and twin brother becoming a full time author. He is a deeply thoughtful author who writes about love, life and the human condition and is unique in being the only Japanese author to follow in his father’s footsteps by winning the same major Japanese literary prize.
