Mitsuyo Tsunoda’s modern translation of “The Tale of Genji” has sold over 290,000 copies! Combined with the topic of the taiga drama “Hikaru Kimi e”, the momentum continues to grow. Kawade Bunko The latest volume 7 from the New Classics Translation Collection will be released on August 6th.
*Kawade Shobo Shinsha*
Press release: August 6, 2024
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Mitsuyo Tsunoda’s modern translation of “The Tale of Genji” has sold over 290,000 copies! Combined with the topic of the taiga drama “Hikaru Kimi e”, the momentum continues to grow. Kawade Bunko The latest volume 7 from the New Classics Translation Collection will be released on August 6th.
*Volume 8 will be published in October 2024, completing the Kawade Bunko edition. Furthermore, -Audible reading version- will be distributed from August! *
Mitsuyo Tsunoda translation “The Tale of Genji” 1.-7. Kawade Bunko Classic New Translation Collection
A new modern translation of “The Tale of Genji” by Mitsuyo Tsunoda published by Kawade Shobo Shinsha Co., Ltd. (Headquarters:
Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo/Representative Director: Yu Onodera) (Natsuki Ikezawa = personal editor)
Complete collection of Japanese literature/Kawade Bunko
We are pleased to announce that the total number of copies of the New Translations of Classics Collection will exceed 290,000 copies with the release of Volume 7 on August 6th. In addition, we will be distributing the audiobook from Amazon Audible (hereinafter referred to as Audible). Former NHK announcer Yuko Naito will be in charge of the reading, and “Genji Tsunoda” will be released as an Audible version of “The Tale of Genji” (works eligible for unlimited listening on the Audible membership plan/single purchase price 3,000 yen) starting on Friday, August 23rd. I will do it.
Audible version “The Tale of Genji”
* “I feel that Mitsuyo Tsunoda’s “The Tale of Genji” is a novel with a real sense of speed.*
* My heart is moved by the love and hate between men and women, life and death, the fragility of the world, and the characters who are at the mercy of fate.
As a storyteller, I want to breathe life into the characters of the story, including Hikaru Genji, by absorbing within myself the human essence and various emotions that have not changed a thousand years ago and even now. *
* We will work with all our heart and soul, valuing Mitsuyo Tsunoda’s thoughts. ”*
Audible version of “The Tale of Genji” reading by Yuko Naito Yuko Naito
Joined NHK in 1999 as an announcer. For 18 years, he worked as an NHK announcer, including as a reporter for “Asaichi”, a caster for “News 7” and “Shutoken Network”, and a travel narration for the morning TV drama “Wakaba” and the taiga drama “Atsuhime.” Currently working as a freelance announcer.
The Tale of Genji, written approximately 1,000 years ago by Murasaki Shikibu, is the world’s oldest full-length novel and one of the greatest masterpieces of Japanese literature. Comprised of 54 chapters from Kiritsubo to Yumenoukihashi, it is a brilliant story in which Hikaru Genji, who was born as a shining prince, engages in various love affairs with women. , depicts the abyss of life and society, such as life and death and the idea of impermanence. Its greatness lies in the interesting story woven by 400 unique characters, its outstanding compositional ability, and the richness of its writing that expresses detailed feelings.In addition to about 800 waka poems, there are also Chinese poems and texts. , is a magnificent and multilayered work that incorporates literature, religion, and history.
In 2020, Mitsuyo Tsunoda took five years to complete the modern translation, which literary masters such as Akiko Yosano, Junichiro Tanizaki, and Jakucho Setouchi had attempted. “Kakuda Translation” is the latest modern translation that allows you to enjoy the novel as a novel, and is a much-talked-about work that won the 72nd Yomiuri Literary Award (Research and Translation Award).
The NHK Taiga drama “Hikaru Kimi e”, which started in January 2024, focuses on the life of Murasaki Shikibu, her unknown love with Fujiwara Michinaga, the colorful world of the Heian period, and the strange fates of historical figures. and love poems are drawn by a gorgeous cast. Kawade Bunko started publication in October 2023 The new translation collection of the classics “The Tale of Genji” (all 8 volumes, completed in October 2024) has also attracted more attention as the drama has become more popular, and as of August 2024, the total number of copies published has exceeded 290,000. The fate of the love story between Fujiwara no Michinaga, who is said to have been the model for Hikaru Genji, and Murasaki Shikibu has become unusually popular in the press and on social media after the weekly drama airs. In addition, from January 2024, as a collaboration project between Kawade Shobo Shinsha and Toyo Keizai Online, Mitsuyo Tsunoda We are continuing to serialize free trial readings of the new translation of “The Tale of Genji” (delivered every Sunday at 2:00 p.m.). So far, we have distributed the full text of the first chapter “Kiritsubo”, the popular chapters “Yugao” and “Wakamurasaki”, and are currently distributing “Aoi”.
Please pay attention to the new translation of “The Tale of Genji” by Mitsuyo Tsunoda, who is carrying out several collaborative projects to help you familiarize yourself with the greatest masterpiece of Japanese literature, “The Tale of Genji.”
* ■Translator introduction*
*Mitsuyo Kakuta*
Born in 1967. Debuted in 1990 with the Kaien New Literature Award for “Happy Game”. His books include “Girlfriend on the Other Shore” (Naoki Prize) and “Cicadas on the Eighth Day” (Chuo Kosho Art Award). He won the Yomiuri Literature Prize for his modern translation of The Tale of Genji.
* ■Bibliographic information (Kawade Bunko version) *
Mitsuyo Tsunoda translation “The Tale of Genji” Kawade Bunko Classic New Translation Collection
Book title: * The Tale of Genji 1* (Kawade Bunko/Classical New Translation Collection) List price: 880 yen (800 yen for the book itself) ISBN: 978-4-309-41997-8 URL:
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309419978/
Book title: * The Tale of Genji 2* (Kawade Bunko/Classical New Translation Collection) List price: 880 yen (800 yen for the book itself) ISBN: 978-4-309-42012-7 URL:
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309420127/
Book title: * The Tale of Genji 3* (Kawade Bunko/Classical New Translation Collection) List price: 880 yen (800 yen for the book itself) ISBN: 978-4-309-42067-7 URL:
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309420677/
Book title: * The Tale of Genji 4* (Kawade Bunko/Classical New Translation Collection) List price: 880 yen (800 yen for the book itself) ISBN: 978-4-309-42082-0 URL:
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309420820/
Book title: * The Tale of Genji 5* (Kawade Bunko/Classical New Translation Collection) List price: 880 yen (800 yen for the book itself) ISBN: 978-4-309-42098-1 URL:
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309420981/
Book title: * The Tale of Genji 6* (Kawade Bunko/Classical New Translation Collection) List price: 880 yen (800 yen for the book itself) ISBN: 978-4-309-42114-8 URL:
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309421148/
Book title: * The Tale of Genji 7* (Kawade Bunko/Classical New Translation Collection) List price: 880 yen (800 yen for the book itself) ISBN: 978-4-309-42130-8 URL:
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309421308/ **Release date: August* Book title: * The Tale of Genji 8* (Kawade Bunko/Classical New Translation Collection) List price: 880 yen (800 yen for the book itself) ISBN: 978-4-309-42131-5 URL:
https://www.kawade.co.jp/np/isbn/9784309421315/ * *Released in October*
* ■Audible reading version bibliographic information*
Audible reading version “The Tale of Genji 1”
Author: Mitsuyo Tsunoda
Reading: Yuko Naito
Specifications: Audiobook
Release date: Friday, August 23, 2024
Single purchase price: 3,000 yen *Works eligible for unlimited listening on Audible membership plan
URL: https://www.audible.co.jp/pd/B0D12FV484
* ■Toyo Keizai Online* * Free sample reading series of Mitsuyo Tsunoda’s new translation of “The Tale of Genji”*
“Kiritsubo” 1.-10. https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/719356
“Yugao” 1.-10. https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/728741
“Wakamurasaki” 1.-10. https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/744106 “Aoi” 1.- Currently being serialized https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/761721
* ■Related video article*
* Talking with Mitsuyo Tsunoda about the wonders of “depicting cheating that will last a thousand years” *
What the five years of trying to create a new translation of The Tale of Genji brought us
https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/759215
* “I hate everything” Mitsuyo Tsunoda, 34th year of work style reform * Work style, visualization… How do you envision the future of novels? https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/759242