Factbook

A Dynamic Compendium of Interesting Japanese Literary and Publishing Facts

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Newspaper novels, Shimbun Shosetsu, still popular today, were launched in Japan in 1886 by the Yomiuri newspaper[UPDATED: 7-20-2020]

There is some debate amongst academics about which work was the very first published newspaper novel, Shimbun Shosetsu, in Japan. Several are often mentioned, but some consider Torioi Omatsu Kaijo Shinwa, The New Martine Tales of Bird-Chasing Omatsu, by Hikosaku Kubota (1846-1898), published between 1877, and… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Fuminori Nakamura
- Kazufumi Shiraishi
- Mitsuyo Kakuta
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Serialised fiction
Newspaper novels, Shimbun Shosetsu, still popular today, were launched in Japan in 1886 by the Yomiuri newspaper Posted July 15th, 2020 by Richard Nathan
The Japanese word for novel entered the Japanese language in 1754 via China[UPDATED: 7-13-2020]

The Japanese word shosetsu written using two letters or characters meaning ‘small’ and ‘talk ’ first came into use as a Japanese term for fiction in 1754; following the successful translation and adaptation of Chinese books such as Sui-Hu Chuan (The Water Margin), pronounced Suikoden… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Book production
- China
- Culture
- History
- novel
The Japanese word for novel entered the Japanese language in 1754 via China Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
The Shogun’s respect for publishing was a key factor that led to the Tokugawa-state lasting 265 years[UPDATED: 6-24-2020]

Ieyasu Tokugawa (1543-1616) who founded a military state and a dynasty of shoguns that ruled for 265 years during what is known as Japan’s Tokugawa or Edo period (1603-1868), placed significant importance on literature, reading, books and publishing. Tokugawa sponsored the publication of books including… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
- Industry
- Samurai
The Shogun’s respect for publishing was a key factor that led to the Tokugawa-state lasting 265 years Posted June 24th, 2020 by Richard Nathan
Japan’s first ‘I-novels’ were written and published in 1906 and 1907[UPDATED: 5-29-2020]

The I-novel also known as watakushi shosetsu, is a type of confessional autobiographical Japanese novel generally written in the first person. The very first ones are said to have been Hakai, Broken Commandment by Toson Shimazaki (1872-1943) and Futon, The Quilt, by Katai Tayama (1872-1930), published in 1906 and… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Cats
- History
Japan’s first ‘I-novels’ were written and published in 1906 and 1907 Posted May 29th, 2020 by Richard Nathan
A series of publications in 1912 introduced psychoanalysis to Japan[UPDATED: 5-29-2020]

Seventeen years after Sigmund Freud (1856-1939) first used the term psychoanalysis to describe his new method, the concept was introduced to Japan in 1912, according to Perversion and Modern Japan: Psychoanalysis, Literature and Culture, in a series of articles. Nonetheless, the actual first official use of… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Kanji Hanawa
- Folk Tales
- Psychoanalysis
A series of publications in 1912 introduced psychoanalysis to Japan Posted April 28th, 2020 by Richard Nathan
Many of Japan’s most interesting creative writers cite ‘No Longer Human’ by Osamu Dazai as their favourite book or one that had a huge influence on them[UPDATED: 5-29-2020]

According to Fuminori Nakamura, one of the most exciting new generation of Japanese authors, his only escape when he was young was reading, and the one book that really resonated for him, was No Longer Human (Ningen shikkaku), by Osamu Dazai (1909-1948). Many other leading Japanese authors say… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Fuminori Nakamura
- Culture
- History
Many of Japan’s most interesting creative writers cite ‘No Longer Human’ by Osamu Dazai as their favourite book or one that had a huge influence on them Posted January 4th, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Japanese authors in the 1800s turned tuberculosis into a romantic condition[UPDATED: 3-16-2020]

In Japan’s Meiji era (1868-1912) when the nation was rapidly modernising after more than 250 years of isolation, Western influences were extremely strong. These spanned almost everything – even literary perceptions of tuberculosis, which was originally stigmatised in Japan. The disease became a romantic condition… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
- Medicine
Japanese authors in the 1800s turned tuberculosis into a romantic condition Posted March 16th, 2020 by Richard Nathan
Japan’s first magazine, and the first in Asia, dedicated to gay men, Barazoku, was launched in 1971[UPDATED: 2-28-2020]

Japan’s first commercial magazine targeting gay men was launched in 1971. Barazoku, which is thought to have been Asia’s as well as Japan’s first commercial gay magazine, was not just sold in specialist bookshops and clubs. The magazine was distributed by the two major Japanese book… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
- Industry
- LGBT
- Magazines
Japan’s first magazine, and the first in Asia, dedicated to gay men, Barazoku, was launched in 1971 Posted February 27th, 2020 by Richard Nathan

Factbook

Newspaper novels, Shimbun Shosetsu, still popular today, were launched in Japan in 1886 by the Yomiuri newspaper[UPDATED: 7-20-2020]

The Japanese word for novel entered the Japanese language in 1754 via China[UPDATED: 7-13-2020]

The Shogun’s respect for publishing was a key factor that led to the Tokugawa-state lasting 265 years[UPDATED: 6-24-2020]

Japan’s first ‘I-novels’ were written and published in 1906 and 1907[UPDATED: 5-29-2020]

A series of publications in 1912 introduced psychoanalysis to Japan[UPDATED: 5-29-2020]

Many of Japan’s most interesting creative writers cite ‘No Longer Human’ by Osamu Dazai as their favourite book or one that had a huge influence on them[UPDATED: 5-29-2020]

Japanese authors in the 1800s turned tuberculosis into a romantic condition[UPDATED: 3-16-2020]

Japan’s first magazine, and the first in Asia, dedicated to gay men, Barazoku, was launched in 1971[UPDATED: 2-28-2020]

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