Factbook

A Dynamic Compendium of Interesting Japanese Literary and Publishing Facts

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Creative Writing

Banana Yoshimoto chose the pen name banana as it was gender neutral

[UPDATED: 2-22-2018]

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 a golf club.

She chose her pen name while at college before graduation choosing banana to replace her given name Mahoko as she liked banana flowers and thought the name was memorable, “cute”, and “purposefully androgynous.”

She comes from a very creative family. Her father Taaki Yoshimoto (1924-2012) was a well-known poet and literary critic and her sister is a well-known cartoonist.

Banana Yoshimoto chose the pen name banana as it was gender neutral Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan

More Facts:

In the 17th century Japan experienced the world’s first camellia publishing boom[UPDATED: 2-9-2018]
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Japan’s first monthly book series for Kindergartens, launched in 1907, is still being published 90 years later[UPDATED: 2-22-2018]
- TOPICS:
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One bookstore in Tokyo stocks & sells only one book at a time[UPDATED: 1-25-2018]
- TOPICS:
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Japan’s oldest surviving cookbook was published in 1643[UPDATED: 8-26-2019]
- TOPICS:
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China buying more Japanese books and publications[UPDATED: 8-14-2017]
- TOPICS:
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The first Japanese dictionary was published in 682[UPDATED: 2-28-2018]
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Factbook

Banana Yoshimoto chose the pen name banana as it was gender neutral

In the 17th century Japan experienced the world’s first camellia publishing boom[UPDATED: 2-9-2018]

Japan’s first monthly book series for Kindergartens, launched in 1907, is still being published 90 years later[UPDATED: 2-22-2018]

One bookstore in Tokyo stocks & sells only one book at a time[UPDATED: 1-25-2018]

Japan’s oldest surviving cookbook was published in 1643[UPDATED: 8-26-2019]

China buying more Japanese books and publications[UPDATED: 8-14-2017]

The first Japanese dictionary was published in 682[UPDATED: 2-28-2018]

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