James Joyce — Finnegans Wake / フィネガン役夜祭 Toshi Shuppansha 1971 First Japanese Edition

James Joyce — Finnegans Wake / フィネガン役夜祭 (Finnegan Tetsuyasai), 都市出版社 (Toshi Shuppansha), Tokyo, 1971. True First Japanese Edition. Part 1.

An extraordinary milestone for global James Joyce collectors and avant-garde literature enthusiasts. This is the historic 1971 first Japanese edition of Finnegans Wake — the first time Joyce's final, most labyrinthine masterpiece was translated and published in book form in Japan. Translated by a distinguished team of British literature scholars including Yukio Suzuki, Ryo Nonaka, and the legendary Joyce translator Naoki Yanase, this publication represents a landmark in the history of world literature in translation.

The book design is by Seiichi Horiuchi (堀内誠一) — one of postwar Japan's most celebrated graphic designers and art directors, whose work defined the visual language of Japanese publishing in the 1960s and 70s. The volume includes three original illustrations by Gertrude Stein, adding a further layer of literary and artistic significance.

WHY THIS VOLUME IS A PRIZED COLLECTOR'S ITEM

1. 歴史的・文学的価値 — The first Japanese translation of Finnegans Wake in book form. Joyce's most complex work, rendered into Japanese by the foremost Joyce scholars of the era. A primary document of postwar Japanese literary culture.
2. ビジュアル・芸術的価値 — Book design by Seiichi Horiuchi, whose graphic work is now collected in its own right. Three illustrations by Gertrude Stein. Gold-edged pages (Tenkei). Navy and silver hard slipcase.
3. 帯・函の希少価値 — Complete with original Obi (belly band) and hard slipcase — rarely found together in this condition after 55 years.

PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

• Author: James Joyce
• Title: Finnegans Wake / フィネガン役夜祭 (Finnegan Tetsuyasai)
• Translators: Yukio Suzuki, Ryo Nonaka, Naoki Yanase, et al.
• Illustrator: Gertrude Stein (3 plates)
• Book Design: Seiichi Horiuchi (堀内誠一)
• Publisher: 都市出版社 (Toshi Shuppansha), Tokyo
• Year Published: 1971 (Showa 46) — True First Japanese Edition, Part 1
• Language: Japanese
• Format: Hardcover
• Inclusions: Original hard slipcase (navy & silver), original Obi (belly band)
• CONDITION: Very Good — Outstanding Vintage Survival

• Slipcase: Light rubbing and shelf wear consistent with 55 years of age — noted and photographed. Structurally sound.
• Covers & Spine: Clean and intact. Horiuchi's iconic cover design fully preserved.
• Binding: Tight, secure, and fully intact.
• Interior & Pages: No foxing, no writing, no tears. Gold page edges intact. Ken-in-shi present.
• Please carefully inspect all high-resolution listing photographs to verify the exceptional vintage condition.

NOTE FOR INTERNATIONAL BUYERS: EASY AI TRANSLATION
While the text is printed in Japanese, you can easily read and study this historic book using modern smartphone AI tools. By taking a photo of any page with Google Lens, ChatGPT, or Google Translate, the AI will instantly translate the text. Language is no longer a barrier to owning this rare piece of literary history.