Factbook

A Dynamic Compendium of Interesting Japanese Literary and Publishing Facts

If you would like to contribute to this compendium please submit your ideas here.
All will be considered for publication by our expert panel.

Category Index:

Factbook Keyword Search:
Search for:

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
Japan’s first generation of postmodern authors grew up listening to Bob Dylan and the Beatles[UPDATED: 2-26-2020]

The generation of Japanese authors that grew up in the 1960s, including some internationally renowned names like Kiyoshi Kasai, Haruki Murakami, Kenji Nakagami, Masahiko Shimada, Soji Shimada and Genichiro Takahashi, are sometimes referred to by academics as Japan’s first postmodern authors.They were all born after… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Soji Shimada
- History
- Postmodern
Japan’s first generation of postmodern authors grew up listening to Bob Dylan and the Beatles Posted January 29th, 2020 by Richard Nathan
Japan is the world’s fourth-largest publishing market[UPDATED: 12-29-2019]

According to the International Publishers Association (IPA), Japan’s publishing market is the fourth-largest in the world, making it a very large domestic business sector, as publishing is a major global business. The sector, however, is in fact underweight relative to other nations, as Japan’s overall economy… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
- IPA
- Market Data
Japan is the world’s fourth-largest publishing market Posted November 20th, 2017 by Richard Nathan
Santa’s first documented Christmas appearance in Japan was in 1900 when he arrived as Santa Kuro in the pages of a children’s book[UPDATED: 12-9-2019]

Christianity arrived in Japan in 1549 with Francis Xavier (1506-1552) and the first Christmas Mass in Japan was reportedly celebrated at Yamaguchi Church in 1552. However, Santa Claus, probably one of the most recognised icons and characters associated with Christmas celebrations around the world today, did not… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Christian Fiction
- Culture
- Religion
Santa’s first documented Christmas appearance in Japan was in 1900 when he arrived as Santa Kuro in the pages of a children’s book Posted December 9th, 2019 by Richard Nathan

Factbook

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]

Japan’s first generation of postmodern authors grew up listening to Bob Dylan and the Beatles[UPDATED: 2-26-2020]

Japan is the world’s fourth-largest publishing market[UPDATED: 12-29-2019]

Santa’s first documented Christmas appearance in Japan was in 1900 when he arrived as Santa Kuro in the pages of a children’s book[UPDATED: 12-9-2019]

Newsletters