[Shinchosha Publishing Co., Ltd.] A huge hit, selling over 100,000 copies! Unusually for a paperback readership that is dominated by middle-aged and older men, Tawara Machi’s “Words to Live By” has over half its readership being female! What’s the reason for this…? [With personal comment]
Shinchosha Co., Ltd. Press release: August 29, 2025 To Members of the Press A huge hit, selling over 100,000 copies! Unusually for a paperback readership typically dominated by middle-aged and older men, Tawara Machi’s “Words to Live By” has a majority female readership! What’s the reason…? [Comment from the author] Poet Machi Tawara, known for her work “Salad Anniversary,” has already sold over 100,000 copies in just four months since its publication, with her essay on the subject of first words, “Words to Live By”! While paperbacks are said to have a large readership of middle-aged and older males, “Words to Live By” transcends traditional boundaries and reaches a wide range of generations, which is the reason for its success. Here, we introduce the reasons for this, along with a comment from Tawara commemorating the sale of over 100,000 copies.
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here】 [Click here for book details] ■To celebrate surpassing 100,000 copies, we have received a comment from Tawara! When I did a few interviews right after the book was published, I felt a different response than usual. Everyone was so enthusiastic. At one point, a photographer who was supposed to leave after taking photos stayed behind and joined the conversation. It was as if it really spoke to me. No one lives without words, and right now, there are many people who are struggling and confused about words… I really felt that. The same is true on social media. As I wrote in the book, I have built up a tolerance for crappy replies by observing them, and this time I’m ego-searching using hashtags like “#WordsToLive.” “I laughed,” “I cried,” “I had a good time”… The people who posted comments from all ages came to the book, including a mother who said she read it after her high school-aged son recommended it to her. It can also be read as a parenting book, and indeed, by the “Conclusion,” my son, who was a baby in the first chapter, has beautifully put into words the arguments I had with my mother and me, saving me. I’m pleased to hear comments like, “This is the first time I’ve read a paperback book all the way through!” and “It’s so easy to read I can’t even understand it.” It would be no joke if the words in a book about words were difficult to read. In fact, I revised it an extraordinary amount. I’ve also heard that it was immediately used in tests at a certain famous cram school, so I’m pumping my fist. “Aside from theater and waka poetry, your range is wide, from AI to rap,” I’ve been told. I consider myself a word nerd. In other words, my favorite is “words.” Because I’m a fan, I visit all kinds of events. I would be happy if this book inspires people to think about words, pause, and talk about them with someone close to them. In an age where words are so easily shared, I believe such time will enrich each of us with the “words we live by today.” Finally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the booksellers and everyone who helped deliver this book to readers. Without your support, 100,000 copies (!) would be impossible. And I look forward to your continued support. Machi Tawara ■In addition to the traditional paperback readership, this book has garnered support from a wide range of generations, from young people struggling with how to deal with words to people in their 30s to 50s involved in child-rearing.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47877/2313/47877-2313-607a1ea2e54b9869f77e104d2b829a6e-1063×1703.jpg ★Women, young people, and those raising children…Why it’s supported by a wide range of readers Unusually for a paperback book, which is said to have a large readership of middle-aged and older males, “Words to Live By” transcends conventional boundaries and deeply resonates with female readers, which is the reason for its success. While communication used to be centered on face-to-face interactions or phone calls, we have entered an age where we exchange text messages on computers and smartphones both at work and at home. One reason for the book’s popularity seems to be the increasing number of people who are troubled by the nature of language in the age of social media, with young people strongly averse to putting a period (. . .) at the end of a sentence (known as malhara). It has also been talked about as a “miracle cure for social media fatigue” among young people in particular. In addition, the parenting stories, based on Tawara’s own experiences, have struck a chord with parents in the 30-50 age group, particularly among those raising children. Word of mouth has spread, with comments such as “I was almost moved to tears” and “It really struck a chord with me,” making this a book beloved by a wide range of generations, going beyond the traditional readership of paperbacks. ★Featured in over 70 media outlets! High Media Attention The book has been featured in many media outlets, including NHK’s “Radio Midnight,” Fuji TV’s “Nonstop!”, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Behind the
Bestsellers), the Yomiuri Shimbun, the Asahi Shimbun (Best-Selling Books), and various local newspapers, creating a buzz. More coverage is planned for radio, newspapers, magazines, and more. ★Recommendation comments by Hikorohee and Mizuno Taiki from “Yuru Linguistics Radio”! A stunning analytical critique by a woman who received the highest praise from the famous Shuntaro Tanikawa, who called her “the enemy of modern poetry.” –Hikorohee If you’re not careful, your words will take over. Packed with tips for taming words –Mizuno Taiki (Speaker of “Yuru Linguistics Radio”) ★Pick out the highlights of this book! 〇 An analogy for persuading a son who is “obsessed with games” 〇 The magic of making Japanese rhythmic 〇 Overuse of “ambiguous expressions” can also be a nuisance 〇 How to avoid being hurt by harsh words 〇 Japanese words end with “〇” instead of “×” 〇 Language that gives a sense of “luxury” 〇 There’s no subject called “Communication Skills” 〇 A certain part of “Salad Anniversary” that still bothers me ■ Table of Contents Introduction 1. There’s No Subject Called “Communication Skills” Helen Keller’s “WATER” / Picture books are a living
communication tool / “Playing to the fullest” in nature / Boarding school in the mountains / Expressing feelings without excess or deficiency / It helps hone your verbal skills / The secret to making sour persimmons sweet / Middle and high school without smartphones / Being constantly told to “get along with everyone” [Column] A 10-Year-Old’s Solo Journey 2. Dialogue and Monologue “But isn’t that the thing?” / Tsuka Kohei’s rehearsal room / Noda Hideki’s rehearsal room / The same words in a different context / Words of Ri Jeong-hyeok from “Crash Landing on You” [Column] Music in the Heart 3. Expressions that lift your spirits Rap and tanka are both art of words / Passion, strengths, and effort / Various word games with my son / Respect for others / The unique environment for Japanese rap / Inter-phrase rhyming / The magic of making Japanese rhythmic [Column] My encounter with Professor Shigeto Kawahara 4. When Words Are Rejected Unexpected Reactions / Learning from Shitty Replies / Talking Appliances [Column] A Country Where Poetry is Everyday 5. Isn’t it kind to state things definitively? Everything is harassment / Japanese words ending with “maru” / The feeling of “liking vague expressions” / Various “neighborhoods” / The “mo” that blurs the boundaries of words [Column] The difficulty of buzzwords 6. Answering children’s straightforward questions Questions that get to the heart of the matter: [Why do we cry when we’re sad? 】【Why are there feelings that cannot be
explained?】【Why do humans have to study?】and more 【Column】What kind of person is a smart person? 7. Putting the Feeling of Love into Words, and Being Aware of the Reader The Appeal of Hikorohee’s “Shut Up, Talk” / The Importance of Balance / In What Situations Should It Be Read / The Magic of Words 【Column】Yuko Kono’s Love Songs 8. Witnessing How Words Communicate Recommendations for Poetry Gatherings / Completion with Reader Participation / An Experience Worth Singing About [Column] “Host Manyoshu” Born from the “Nightlife District” 9. The Condensation and Evocative Power Unique to Waka Poetry The Most Important Communication Tool / A Lifelong Search for Answers / The Aesthetic Sense Seen in “The Pillow Book” / The Device Called “The Tale of Genji” / Izumi Shikibu’s Extraordinary Sense of Words / What is a “Poem that Has Become a Part of Me”? / Michinaga’s “That One Poem” [Column] The World of Tanka Poetry: A Journey in Search of Words 10 Is there a seed of “heart” there? 0 to 1 rather than 1 to 100 / Machi-san’s AI / I’m touched by AI’s kindness / Let’s do it, AI / What determines the value of a work? [Column] Non-regular Wings 11 Words Worth Doubting Language that Makes You Feel “Luxurious” / About Shuntaro Tanikawa Conclusion ■ Book contents Smartphones and the internet have become a part of everyday life, and modern society allows us to communicate with people we don’t see face-to-face. While convenient, it can also be troublesome. In an age where the power of words can be said to be the power of life, how can we strengthen our Japanese language skills? What is important? Drawing on the real-life experiences of a poet, this book examines how words are used in a variety of situations, including romance, child-rearing, dramas, poetry gatherings, social media, and AI. ■ About the Author: Tawara Machi
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47877/2313/47877-2313-cc5d747b08112f25cdbcc0dce3ff2209-1801×2700.jpg (C) Shinchosha Born in Osaka Prefecture in 1962 (Showa 37). Poet. Graduated from the School of Letters, Arts and Sciences, Waseda University. Influenced by Yukitsuna Sasaki, he began composing tanka while a student. In 1987, his book “Salad Anniversary” became a best-seller, selling 2.8 million copies and becoming a social phenomenon. He received the Contemporary Poets Association Award in 1988 and the Teiku Award in 2021. In addition to “Chocolate
Revolution,” “The Size of the Future,” “Avocado Seed,” and “Beloved Tale of Genji,” he has published many books, including poetry collections, biographies, and essays. ■ Book data
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/47877/2313/47877-2313-b18bf7b4fb53bed7c61b74dc22405267-1063×1703.jpg Words to Live By [Author] Machi Tawara [Release Date] April 17, 2025 [Binding] Shincho Shinsho / Softcover Shinsho Edition [Price] ¥1,034 (tax included) [ISBN]978-4-10-611083-2
[URL]https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/611083/