Monkey rolls: Tokyo launch, new reviews

Roughly one month after its multiple New York City launch events, Monkey Business: New Voices from Japan landed in Tokyo for its debut at 'home' in Japan.

Tower Books in Shibuya hosted founding editors, translators and scholars Motoyuki Shibata and Ted Goossen for their introduction to the publication, readings, Q&As and photo-ops with the SRO audience.

A book-signing followed, as did an intimate and much quieter dinner conversation among the principals.

[Goossen and Shibata have a good time]

Monkey Business is now available in Japan at Tower Books, Tsutaya, Kinokuniya and other bookstores specializing in literature and global culture. Twenty-five percent of all sales benefit The Nippon Foundation/CANPAN Northeastern Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund.

Our launch events in Canada will take place in Toronto early this fall. Details TBA.

Meanwhile, Volume 2 is well underway, and as of this writing, nearly completed. It promises to be longer and thicker, so to speak, than its virgin predecessor, whose diverse suitors nevertheless continue to issue praise:

"There is no doubt that this endeavor will bring in new audiences for the amazing talent emerging from Japan." Chopsticks NY

"A primary reason to collect literature in translation is to provide a window to different perspectives. Monkey Business is a good choice for collections of contemporary literature." Library Journal

"I love that manga, short fiction, poetry, and interviews can all take their place next to one another... I would not hesitate to recommend Monkey Business to anyone interested in contemporary and experimental Japanese literature." Experiments in Manga

"A strangely fascinating look into the innovative writing that is currently coming out of Japan ... [with] a wonderful interview of Japanese novelist Haruki Murukami [and] a wide selection of material in which we can indulge." iSugoi

[Monkey receiving line]

[NYC-Tokyo jet lag jitters]

[...and Monkey makes three]

*thanks to Rie Muto, Lisa Kato and Yuko Matsukawa.

Popular posts from this blog

Video: Interview for Hype Magazine

Image
I was recently interviewed in Tokyo by Darren Paltrowitz of Hype Magazine . He was in New York City, my former hometown.  We talked about my gig hosting the Japan Cats doc, but also a lot of stuff I hadn't planned to discuss, like pandemic work, my forthcoming Blade Runner book, the novel, the other books, my Who T-shirt and interviews with Pete Townshend, the shows "Better Call Saul," "Westworld" and "Barry"—and my cat.  Darren's opening gambit disarmed me.  Vid's up at YouTube:
Read more

Shinji Aramaki and the Appleseed Ex Machina Opening

Image
Got blogged down, I guess, but a few notes here from New York: I was privileged recently to spend some time conversing with veteran designer and Appleseed director Shinji Aramaki in Tokyo. Aramaki is among the most candid and clear-headed of the folks I've met in the anime industry in Japan; he's also an ambitious and committed artist, one who retains faith in the future of his art form, even as he offers suggestions for its survival. Portions of our conversation were published in The Daily Yomiuri on the eve of the Japan nationwide theatrical release of Appleseed: Ex Machina , the latest and most visually stunning film in the Appleseed series. The film will be released in the US in the form of a DVD disc set in 2008. On the same day (Oct. 20, US-time), Kinokuniya will open its largest overseas bookstore in midtown Manhattan. The three-floor outlet will overlook Bryan Park in the very center of the city. Look for expanded offerings of manga, anime, and all books related to th...
Read more