Factbook

A Dynamic Compendium of Interesting Japanese Literary and Publishing Facts

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In 1964 after Junichiro Tanizaki was nominated and shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature, AFP announced in error that he had won[UPDATED: 2-28-2018]

In 1964 four Japanese authors were amongst the 76 candidates nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature; Junichiro Tanizaki (1886-1965), Yasunari Kawabata (1899-1972), Yukio Mishima (1925-1970) and Junzaburo Nishiwaki (1894-1982). That year there were 19 new candidates for the prize including two nominated for the first… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Nobel
- Prizes
In 1964 after Junichiro Tanizaki was nominated and shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature, AFP announced in error that he had won Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
In 2017 JK Rowling was overtaken by a Japanese crime fiction writer as the top royalty-earning international author in China[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

In 2017 the Japanese crime fiction master Keigo Higashino, author of The Devotion of Suspect X and many other titles, overtook JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series as the highest non-Chinese royalty-earning author in China. JK Rowling has headed the annual ranking for… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- China
- Crime
- Exports
- Rights
In 2017 JK Rowling was overtaken by a Japanese crime fiction writer as the top royalty-earning international author in China Posted January 4th, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Japan has around 500 different literary prizes[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

Japan has around 500 different literary prizes. Some literary prizes target new writers, others specific genres such as the Seiun Award for the best science fiction, awarded by the Federation of Science Fiction Fan Groups of Japan (FSFFGJ). Two of the most coveted awards are the… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
- Prizes
- Science Fiction
Japan has around 500 different literary prizes Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Richard Nathan
At least one Japanese literary prize rewards its judging panel and prize-winners equally[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

The Akutagawa Prize, one of Japan’s most prestigious literary prizes founded in 1935 in honour of Ryunosuke Akutagawa (1892-1927), reportedly pays each of its nine judges an annual retainer of 1 million yen to select the winner twice a year. In contrast, the prize awarded… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Prizes
At least one Japanese literary prize rewards its judging panel and prize-winners equally Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
The Akutagawa Prize has had some major controversies[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

The Akutagawa Prize founded in 1935 may be one of Japan’s most prestigious literary prizes, but it hasn’t escaped serious criticism or indeed controversy. It and its prize-winners have been accused of many things over the years including anti-Semitism, plagiarism and collusion. An expose of it… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Prizes
The Akutagawa Prize has had some major controversies Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Mishima, who was only active as a writer for 21 years after the publication of his first major novel, managed to write 40 novels, 18 plays and numerous essays during his short life[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

Yukio Mishima (1925-1970) wrote 40 novels, 18 plays, 20 books of short stories, books of essays, hundreds of poems, as well as plays and film scripts before he died age 45, two months before his birthday. His first full-length major novel Confessions of a Mask, was… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
Mishima, who was only active as a writer for 21 years after the publication of his first major novel, managed to write 40 novels, 18 plays and numerous essays during his short life Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
The first Japanese translation of the bible was produced around 1549[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

St. Francis Xavier is said to have brought a Japanese translation of sections of The Gospel According to Matthew with him when he arrived in Japan in 1549. The translation was done by a young Japanese man called Yajiro, who is generally reported to have been the… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Book production
- Religion
- translation
The first Japanese translation of the bible was produced around 1549 Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Some believe that the origin of one of Japan’s four alphabets, Katakana, is ancient Hebrew[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

Japanese uses multiple syllabary (alphabets) and has a special phonetic alphabet for foreign words: katakana, which has helped it manage the impact of foreign words entering its language. It is used for loanwords that enter the Japanese language, such as beer. The other alphabets used are… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Crime
- History
- Religion
Some believe that the origin of one of Japan’s four alphabets, Katakana, is ancient Hebrew Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan

Factbook

In 1964 after Junichiro Tanizaki was nominated and shortlisted for the Nobel Prize in Literature, AFP announced in error that he had won[UPDATED: 2-28-2018]

In 2017 JK Rowling was overtaken by a Japanese crime fiction writer as the top royalty-earning international author in China[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

Japan has around 500 different literary prizes[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

At least one Japanese literary prize rewards its judging panel and prize-winners equally[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

The Akutagawa Prize has had some major controversies[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

Mishima, who was only active as a writer for 21 years after the publication of his first major novel, managed to write 40 novels, 18 plays and numerous essays during his short life[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

The first Japanese translation of the bible was produced around 1549[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

Some believe that the origin of one of Japan’s four alphabets, Katakana, is ancient Hebrew[UPDATED: 2-27-2018]

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