Factbook

A Dynamic Compendium of Interesting Japanese Literary and Publishing Facts

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Writing arrived in Japan in the 5th century AD from China[UPDATED: 1-13-2022]

Japan and the Japanese did not develop their own fully-fledged writing system, but imported one from China during the early 5th century or perhaps even slightly earlier.Use of this writing subsequently expanded as Buddhism arrived in Japan alongside Chinese Buddhist monks, eventually helping elevate calligraphy… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
Writing arrived in Japan in the 5th century AD from China Posted January 13th, 2022 by Richard Nathan
Mount Fuji, which is featured in Japan’s oldest fictional prose and first collection of poetry, is still a powerful literary motif[UPDATED: 12-1-2021]

In June 2013 the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO announced that Mount Fuji would be recognised as a World Heritage Site. The official proposal that led to the mountain winning this status was known as ‘Fujisan: Sacred Place and Source of Artistic Inspiration’. Mount Fuji, also… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Randy Taguchi
- History
- UNESCO
Mount Fuji, which is featured in Japan’s oldest fictional prose and first collection of poetry, is still a powerful literary motif Posted December 1st, 2021 by Richard Nathan
Japan’s most expensive book was published in 1984 with a retail price of US$17,000[UPDATED: 11-5-2021]

Japan’s most expensive book, an edited collection of manuscripts by Claudius Ptolemaeus (100-168), was published in two-volumes by the Japanese publisher Iwanami Shoten in 1984, just before Japan’s infamous economic bubble (1986-1991), with a retail price of 1,930,000 yen. Ptolemaeus’ astronomical treatise, an astronomy textbook… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
- Retail
- Science
Japan’s most expensive book was published in 1984 with a retail price of US$17,000 Posted July 20th, 2017 by Richard Nathan
The translation of ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ triggered Japan’s first post-war obscenity trial, in 1951[UPDATED: 11-5-2021]

After Japan signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty with Japan in 1951, full sovereignty returned to Japan bringing the Allied Occupation of Japan (1945-1952) to an end. Japan had a new constitution, originally drafted in English that it was putting into place in translation. Legal responsibility… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Censorship
- Copyright
- Regulation
- translation
The translation of ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ triggered Japan’s first post-war obscenity trial, in 1951 Posted November 4th, 2021 by Richard Nathan
The first Western-style paper mill opened in 1875 in Japan[UPDATED: 10-4-2021]

As Japan rapidly modernised in its Meiji era (1868-1912), after more than 250 years of isolation, there was a huge demand for paper to meet many types of new and emerging needs including: the printing of public bonds and paper money; newly launched magazines and… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Paper
- Printing
The first Western-style paper mill opened in 1875 in Japan Posted October 4th, 2021 by Richard Nathan
Winning the 1987 Japan Mystery Writers Association Prize put Miyuki Miyabe on the literary map triggering a boom in female crime writing in Japan[UPDATED: 9-20-2021]

Miyuki Miyabe’s short story Warera no rinjin wa hannin (Our Neighbour is a Criminal) won the 1987 Japan Mystery Writers Association Prize, announcing her arrival as a writer in Japan. Her success, especially her 1992 novel Kasha (All She Was Worth) about loan sharks, debt and… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Crime
- Mystery
- Prizes
- Science Fiction
- Women Writers
Winning the 1987 Japan Mystery Writers Association Prize put Miyuki Miyabe on the literary map triggering a boom in female crime writing in Japan Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Two famous Japanese authors and the grandson of another, after whom Japan’s most prestigious literary prize is named, attended the famous Beatles concert at the Budokan in 1966[UPDATED: 9-9-2021]

In 1966 The Beatles gave a milestone concert at Japan’s martial arts arena the Budokan in Tokyo, cementing Japan’s fascination with and long lasting love of the British pop group. The Beatles were in fact the first such group to perform at the venue and… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Soji Shimada
- Culture
- Haruki Murakami
- History
Two famous Japanese authors and the grandson of another, after whom Japan’s most prestigious literary prize is named, attended the famous Beatles concert at the Budokan in 1966 Posted September 1st, 2021 by Richard Nathan
Banana Yoshimoto chose the pen name banana as it was gender neutral[UPDATED: 8-20-2021]

Banana Yoshimoto, one of the most internationally recognised contemporary female Japanese writers established her career in 1988 with her debut novel Kitchen, which was nominated for various prizes, instantly putting her on Japan’s literary map. She wrote the novel while working as a waitress in… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- pen names
- Women Writers
Banana Yoshimoto chose the pen name banana as it was gender neutral Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan

Factbook

Writing arrived in Japan in the 5th century AD from China[UPDATED: 1-13-2022]

Mount Fuji, which is featured in Japan’s oldest fictional prose and first collection of poetry, is still a powerful literary motif[UPDATED: 12-1-2021]

Japan’s most expensive book was published in 1984 with a retail price of US$17,000[UPDATED: 11-5-2021]

The translation of ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ triggered Japan’s first post-war obscenity trial, in 1951[UPDATED: 11-5-2021]

The first Western-style paper mill opened in 1875 in Japan[UPDATED: 10-4-2021]

Winning the 1987 Japan Mystery Writers Association Prize put Miyuki Miyabe on the literary map triggering a boom in female crime writing in Japan[UPDATED: 9-20-2021]

Two famous Japanese authors and the grandson of another, after whom Japan’s most prestigious literary prize is named, attended the famous Beatles concert at the Budokan in 1966[UPDATED: 9-9-2021]

Banana Yoshimoto chose the pen name banana as it was gender neutral[UPDATED: 8-20-2021]

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