Factbook

A Dynamic Compendium of Interesting Japanese Literary and Publishing Facts

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One of Japan’s major bookshop chains is named after a highly innovative trendsetting publisher of woodblock prints[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Juzaburo Tsutaya (1750-1797) was an Edo Period (1603-1867) publisher of woodblock prints with the Midas touch. He nurtured many of Japan’s most famous ukiyo-e (woodblock) artists and authors and had a “discerning eye for discovering new talent” as well as an amazing talent for promotion. He… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Bookshops
- Industry
- Retail
One of Japan’s major bookshop chains is named after a highly innovative trendsetting publisher of woodblock prints Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Japan has 12 different literary prizes for mystery writers[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Japan has 12 different prizes for mystery writers including The Agatha Christie Award, which was launched in 2010 on the 120th anniversary of Agatha Christie’s birth for unpublished novels. The first winner was Akimaro Mori for The Black Cat Takes a Stroll. Some other notable prizes… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
- Mystery
- Prizes
Japan has 12 different literary prizes for mystery writers Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Richard Nathan
Oldest surviving book on Japan written in 712[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

The Kojiki, the Record of Ancient Things, compiled by Ono Yasumaru, was completed in 712 after the death of Emperor Temmu, Japan 40th emperor, who commissioned the book. The emperor is mentioned in the book’s preface. The Kojiki contains accounts of Japanese history including its… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Book production
- History
- Industry
Oldest surviving book on Japan written in 712 Posted April 12th, 2017 by Richard Nathan
Japan’s oldest novel and perhaps even the world’s oldest is The Tale of Genji[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

The Tale of Genji written by Murasaki Shikibu, in 1010, during Japan’s Heian Period (794-1185) is said to be Japan’s oldest novel and perhaps even the world’s oldest novel, if a novel is defined as prose narrative of significant length.However, there were also many poets… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Culture
- History
- Women Writers
Japan’s oldest novel and perhaps even the world’s oldest is The Tale of Genji Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Richard Nathan
Japanese folk tales contain stories of time travel & shape-shifting animals[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Japanese folk tales contain stories of time travel, shape-shifting animals – sometimes a Crane considered a National Treasure in Japan but more often foxes – as well as many different types of supernatural creatures. Some claim that a least one of these stories is the… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Culture
- Fantasy
- Folk Tales
Japanese folk tales contain stories of time travel & shape-shifting animals Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Richard Nathan
The number of bookstores in Japan is 60% higher than the typical print run of a newly published title[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

For newly published titles to be stocked at all book retailing outlets in Japan, initial print runs of 16,000 are often said to be required. However, most new books have print runs of less than 10,000. The number of stores as well as the size… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
- Retail
The number of bookstores in Japan is 60% higher than the typical print run of a newly published title Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Koji Chikatani
The Path, by the founder of Panasonic, has outsold Harry Potter in Japan[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Japan’s second bestselling book is The Path, by Konosuke Matsushita, the founder of Panasonic. The Path has sold more than 5.2 million copies in Japan since it was first published in March 1981 by PHP Research. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, the first title… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
- Retail
The Path, by the founder of Panasonic, has outsold Harry Potter in Japan Posted March 23rd, 2017 by Koji Chikatani
Limited consolidation within Japan’s publishing industry[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) amongst Japanese publishers is very rare, unlike in the United States and the United Kingdom where the big story is consolidation. The vast majority of Japan’s publishing houses are small or medium sized. 60% of publishers in Japan employ less than… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Industry
Limited consolidation within Japan’s publishing industry Posted March 22nd, 2017 by Richard Nathan

Factbook

One of Japan’s major bookshop chains is named after a highly innovative trendsetting publisher of woodblock prints[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Japan has 12 different literary prizes for mystery writers[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Oldest surviving book on Japan written in 712[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Japan’s oldest novel and perhaps even the world’s oldest is The Tale of Genji[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Japanese folk tales contain stories of time travel & shape-shifting animals[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

The number of bookstores in Japan is 60% higher than the typical print run of a newly published title[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

The Path, by the founder of Panasonic, has outsold Harry Potter in Japan[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

Limited consolidation within Japan’s publishing industry[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

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