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:

Many influential Japanese authors have been Christians[UPDATED: 2-14-2018]

Leading Japanese authors have been influenced by Christianity and have expressed a fascination with the lives of missionaries in Japan; Japan’s Christian Century (1546-1638); and the search for meaning immediately after the Second World War. Despite being few in number, Japan’s Christian authors have had an… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Christian Fiction
- Religion
Many influential Japanese authors have been Christians Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
Japan’s first magazine targeting women, Katei-no-Tomo, was launched in 1903[UPDATED: 2-14-2018]

It took 36 years from the launch of Japan’s first western-style magazine in 1867, Seiyo-Zasshi (Western Magazine), for a magazine exclusively targeting Japanese women to be published. Katei-no-Tomo, The Family Friend, was launched in 1903 by Yoshikazu Hani (1880-1955) and his wife Motoko Hani (1873-1957)…. Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Kazufumi Shiraishi
- Mitsuyo Kakuta
- Industry
- Magazines
Japan’s first magazine targeting women, Katei-no-Tomo, was launched in 1903 Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
The world’s smallest printed book is a Japanese flower book[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

The Japanese printer Toppan produced the world’s smallest printed book in 2013, a 26-page book on Japanese flowers with pages just 0.75 mm in size. The micro-book titled: Shiki no Kusabana, flowers of season, lists the names of important Japanese flowers next to their illustrations… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Book production
The world’s smallest printed book is a Japanese flower book Posted September 23rd, 2017 by Richard Nathan
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

Factbook

Many influential Japanese authors have been Christians[UPDATED: 2-14-2018]

Japan’s first magazine targeting women, Katei-no-Tomo, was launched in 1903[UPDATED: 2-14-2018]

The world’s smallest printed book is a Japanese flower book[UPDATED: 2-12-2018]

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]

Newsletters