Publisher Review: Maiden's Bookshelf

This review is slightly different, in that I am not reviewing a book or series, instead I am reviewing an imprint from a publisher. Kodansha is a publisher that started in Japan in 1909. They have specialized in translating Japanese stories and work to transcend time and cultural barriers. Their imprint, The Maiden’s Bookshelf, is an excellent example of that goal. Taking Japanese short stories from the early 20th century and combining them with art these small, elegant volumes can be enjoyed as stories or as an art book. I first encountered this imprint in the story The Moon Over the Mountain, by Atsushi Nakajima and first published in 1942. This strange story follows a failed poet, Yuan Can, who after entering civil service transforms into a tiger. His former classmate, Li Zheng, meets him in tiger form and Can tells Zheng his tale. This strange little story dragged me in, and even after I finished it kept popping up in my memory.

Accompanying this story were lush illustrations by Nekosuke, that kept me engaged and thinking of how they connected to the story. The next book I read from the Maiden’s Bookshelf was Hell in a Bottle, by Kyusaka Yumeno and from 1928. It is about two siblings trapped on an island. The story is told through letters, newspaper clippings, and, of course, a series of notes found in bottles. The story was just as strange as Moon, and the art by Towoji Honojiro was just as beautiful, though I greatly preferred Moon. Each story defies conventional categorizing. The first story could be a morality tale or a fable. The second story reminded me of Poe’s writings. Both stories have a strangely gothic flavor. The art work also transcends conventional thinking. Even the font choices add some exotic elements. These exquisite books, as small, compact, and lushly illustrated as they are, are not for children, but I am excited to see what the next addition, The Surgery Room to the shelf will bring.