How to meet a favorite Japanese book

 

I'll tell you how to find a favorite Japanese book among so many.  

 

 

As a college student I read a lot.

Almost all the books were about what I majored in: architecture and literature.

I would go to the library everyday and borrow  some books on the nearly same subjects.

I would go the bookshops everyweek and buy many books, which had plenty of topics, but they were within the territory.

 

   

Thinking about it, I had a cup of tea with a Greek and Latin professor.

May I ask a question?

Of course. 

What would you say to a Japanese beginner if he or she asks you how to find a good book?

I often had that kind of question from my students. I gave them two ways.

One is to visit the nearest and the biggest bookshop. Spend all day and explore there.You'll find unfamiliar but attractive books.

  

  

 

 

The other way is to get brochures from the famous publisher; "Tosho『図書』（Iwanami-Shoten岩波書店）", "Nami『波』（Shinchosha新潮社）","Chikuma『ちくま』（Chikuma-Shobou筑摩書房） and so on. They have many ads and many good essays. I love to read them. 

 

 

 

 

Since then many years have passed. And now I love to read the monthly publications, too.

As the teacher said, they are full of gems of essays.

 

 

 



 "Tosho"(Iwanami-Shoten 2013)

『図書』（岩波書店 2013年）

http://www.iwanami.co.jp/tosho/