Synopsis
Written in 1906, Botchan remains among Japan's most popular novels. Its central theme is morality, and it was based on the author's experiences as a teacher who moves from the city to the provinces. "This rollicking rebel, and the spice and pace of the narrative, will appeal to parent, teacher, and schoolchild alike." â Â Times Literary Supplement.
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From the Back Cover
One of Japan's most popular novels, this timeless tale of a changing society combines old idealism with modern independence. Written in 1906 and loosely based on the author's life, it recounts the experiences of a teacher who moves from Tokyo to an isolated town. Botchan—rash and impulsive in his actions, direct and frank in his speech—is an especially popular figure with young readers, although the Times Literary Supplement noted, "This rollicking rebel, and the spice and pace of the narrative, will appeal to parent, teacher, and schoolchild alike." This edition offers an excellent translation of the author's poetic prose.
Dover (2012) unabridged republication of the 1922 translation by Umeji Sasaki.
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About the Author
NATSUME SOSEKI, novelist and scholar of English literature, was born in Tokyo in 1867. After graduating from Tokyo University, he taught English language and literature at high school. In 1900, he was sent by the Education Ministry to study in London. On returning to Japan in 1903, he began to teach English literature at Tokyo Imperial University. Also around this time, he was invited by the poet and novelist Takahama Kyoshi to contribute stories to the literary magazine Hototogisu. When Wagahai wa Neko de aru (I am a Cat) and Botchan were serialized in the magazine, they established his reputation as an author.
Translator J. COHN studied Japanese at Cornell and Harvard Universities, as well as in Japan, and now teaches Japanese literature at the University of Hawaii. The author of Studies in the Comic Spirit in Modern Japanese Fiction, Professor Cohn was the recipient of the prestigious Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature from the Donald Keene Center of Japanese Culture, Columbia University in recognition of his translation of Botchan.
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Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
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Botchan
Published by
Kodansha International, 1972
ISBN 10: 0870111698
ISBN 13: 9780870111693
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Copper News Book Store, Ajo, AZ, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Good. 1st Edition. **YOUR PURCHASE SUPPORTS A SMALL BUSINESS!!**. Seller Inventory # 012070
Stock Image
Botchan
Published by
Kodansha International LTD., Tokyo, Japan, 1972
ISBN 10: 0870111698
ISBN 13: 9780870111693
Used
Hardcover
Seller: Yesterday's Books, Richmond, IN, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Cloth Spine & Paper Cov Covers. Condition: NF. No Jacket. 173 pp, b/w illustrations, the book and contents are protected by a clear plastic cover and virtually as new, the plastic cover is very lightly scuffed. Seller Inventory # 008020
Seller Image
Botchan
Published by
Kodansha International Ltd., 1972
ISBN 10: 0870111698
ISBN 13: 9780870111693
Used
Hardcover
Seller: The Haunted Bookshop, LLC, Iowa City, IA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Illustrated by Hosokibara Seiki (illustrator). First Thus. Clean pages except for one short corner fold, a clear droplet stain on the head edge of the page block, and a scattering of tiny tea spots on the foreedge; no owners' marks; square, tight binding (note that the book appears to have accordion-style binding but is stitched along one edge, untrimmed on the other, because it was printed on one side only - trimming along the foreedges would merely reveal unprinted surfaces). The quarter cloth hard cover shows a few specks along the head edges, otherwise excellent, with a clear plastic cover to protect boards and printed cummerbund; the former has a small, open tear at the spine head, and the latter is faded at the spine but otherwise crisp and fresh. 173pp. Still hilarious after 120 years. Seller Inventory # 00086716
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Botchan
Published by
Kodansha International, 1972
ISBN 10: 0870111698
ISBN 13: 9780870111693
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Wordhoard Books, Clevedon, United Kingdom
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. 1st Edition. Botchan by Natsume Soseki. Translated by Alan Turney. First edition, first impression. 173pp, 73/4 x 43/4 (192mm x 120mm). This book is in very good condition. The orange brown and 1/5th cloth boards are in very good condition, with minor rubbing and bumping to the corners, and one small bump to the front board top edge. The cloth element of the boards and spine is worn to the spine edges. The gilt titling to the spine is worn and slightly sunned. The pasted title card to the front board has some minor foxing in evidence. The paste up pages and free end papers are tanned and have some minor foxing. The half title page also has some minor foxing. The pages are yellowed but clean, and the binding is tight. There is evidence of water ingress to the front paste up page and the front free end papar. This has subsequently affected the half title page slightly. The pages are printed doubled and uncut. The closed page block showes some foxing - particularly to the top closed page block. There is no dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 215
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Botchan (First Edition)
Published by
Kodansha International, 1972
ISBN 10: 0870111698
ISBN 13: 9780870111693
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Dan Pope Books, West Hartford, CT, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: As New. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. Tokyo: Kodansha International, 1972. First U.S. edition. First printing, with full number line including the 1. Hardcover. Quarter black cloth over rust paper-covered boards with gilt spine lettering. Fine in a fine acetate dust jacket, as issued. Missing the original wraparound band. Publisher s original price intact on jacket flap. Comes with archival-quality mylar dust jacket protector. A tight clean copy. Octavo, 173 pages, with translator's notes, b/w illustrations, A satirical novel about a young Tokyo man who takes a teaching post in rural Japan, only to clash with provincial pettiness and hypocrisy. First published in 1906, "Botchan" is among the most widely read works of Japanese literature. Natsume is considered the father of modern Japanese fiction and was featured on the Japanese 1000-yen banknote from 1984 to 2004. Seller Inventory # Japanese-Literature-Soseki