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:

Newspaper novels, Shimbun Shosetsu, still popular today, were launched in Japan in 1886 by the Yomiuri newspaper[UPDATED: 7-20-2020]

There is some debate amongst academics about which work was the very first published newspaper novel, Shimbun Shosetsu, in Japan. Several are often mentioned, but some consider Torioi Omatsu Kaijo Shinwa, The New Martine Tales of Bird-Chasing Omatsu, by Hikosaku Kubota (1846-1898), published between 1877, and… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Fuminori Nakamura
- Kazufumi Shiraishi
- Mitsuyo Kakuta
- Magazines
- Newspapers
- Serialised fiction
Newspaper novels, Shimbun Shosetsu, still popular today, were launched in Japan in 1886 by the Yomiuri newspaper Posted July 15th, 2020 by Richard Nathan
The Japanese word for novel entered the Japanese language in 1754 via China[UPDATED: 7-13-2020]

The Japanese word shosetsu written using two letters or characters meaning ‘small’ and ‘talk ’ first came into use as a Japanese term for fiction in 1754; following the successful translation and adaptation of Chinese books such as Sui-Hu Chuan (The Water Margin), pronounced Suikoden… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- Book production
- China
- Culture
- History
- novel
The Japanese word for novel entered the Japanese language in 1754 via China Posted January 3rd, 2018 by Richard Nathan
The Shogun’s respect for publishing was a key factor that led to the Tokugawa-state lasting 265 years[UPDATED: 6-24-2020]

Ieyasu Tokugawa (1543-1616) who founded a military state and a dynasty of shoguns that ruled for 265 years during what is known as Japan’s Tokugawa or Edo period (1603-1868), placed significant importance on literature, reading, books and publishing. Tokugawa sponsored the publication of books including… Read more »
- TOPICS:
- History
- Industry
- Samurai
The Shogun’s respect for publishing was a key factor that led to the Tokugawa-state lasting 265 years Posted June 24th, 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
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

Newspaper novels, Shimbun Shosetsu, still popular today, were launched in Japan in 1886 by the Yomiuri newspaper[UPDATED: 7-20-2020]

The Japanese word for novel entered the Japanese language in 1754 via China[UPDATED: 7-13-2020]

The Shogun’s respect for publishing was a key factor that led to the Tokugawa-state lasting 265 years[UPDATED: 6-24-2020]

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]

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