ID :
12265
Fri, 07/11/2008 - 22:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/12265
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FOCUS: Proletarian book enjoying renewed popularity among young
TOKYO, July 11 Kyodo - A book released nearly 80 years ago and considered a representative piece of proletarian literature is apparently striking a chord with young part-time workers amid growing income disparities and poverty in Japan.
''Kanikosen'' (Crab-Canning Boat) by Takiji Kobayashi (1903-1933) was first published in 1929. Kobayashi was tortured to death during questioning by the ''Tokko'' thought police, who were tasked with investigating communists and leftists before and during World War II.
Kobayashi depicted workers on a crab canning ship in the northern sea off Japan who rose up against factory inspectors in a struggle against inhumane treatment.
The pocket-sized book had been republished but around February this year a Tokyo bookstore ran an advertisement that read ''Working Poor?'' following an article on the 75th anniversary of Kobayashi's death.
Shinchosha Publishing Co. said that in a normal year usually around 5,000 copies were reprinted. But this year, it has already printed nearly 380,000 copies.
The Tokyo publisher said people in their 20s account for about 30 percent of purchasers. Another publishing house is reprinting copies while ''Kanikosen'' is also available in the form of a ''manga'' comic.
A bookstore in Tokyo's Shibuya district, a popular hangout for young people, displays copies of ''Kanikosen'' on the bestsellers shelf at the front of the store.
University student Taku Okamoto, 19, who first came across an excerpt of the book in a school textbook, said he wanted to read it after hearing that it was selling well.
Sho Katsumata, 26, a union activist, said he read the book last year.
Katsumata is currently living on unemployment benefit and savings after losing a part-time job and is fighting to be reinstated. ''I feel like I don't want to be silent and remain defeated,'' he said.
Makoto Yuasa, secretary general of nonprofit organization Moyai Independent Life Support Center, said quite a few readers seem to relate the book to the current situation, which he described as characterized by highhanded corporate posturing, and believe ''it's akin to the way we are being forced to work.'' A discussion thread four years ago under the title ''Densha Otoko'' (train man) on Internet forum ''2channel'' was compiled into a love story. The editor of the story was struck by a post on the same forum that read, ''I am working for a 'black' company but I am probably reaching my limit.'' The editor compiled posts from the site into a book which was published by Shinchosha at the end oflast month.
The main character of ''2 Channel'' is a 26-year-old computer programmer in a small information technology company who got the job after spending time as a NEET -- someone not in employment, education or training.
He feels miserable working for a subcontracting company in which hard overnight work, a highhanded superior and the inability to reject tough deadlines are the norm. Encouraged by messages of support on the site telling him to ''hang in there,'' he continues in his struggle at work.
''It's a modern day 'Kanikosen' in the way he changes and develops himself,'' said the editor. ''I want struggling young people to read it.'' Commenting on the boom that Kobayashi's book is enjoying, Teru Shimamura, professor of proletarian literature at Joshibi University of Art and Design, said, ''As anxiety about life is spreading, readers appear to be looking for works that talk about 'poverty' honestly, which have been invisible up to now.''
''Kanikosen'' (Crab-Canning Boat) by Takiji Kobayashi (1903-1933) was first published in 1929. Kobayashi was tortured to death during questioning by the ''Tokko'' thought police, who were tasked with investigating communists and leftists before and during World War II.
Kobayashi depicted workers on a crab canning ship in the northern sea off Japan who rose up against factory inspectors in a struggle against inhumane treatment.
The pocket-sized book had been republished but around February this year a Tokyo bookstore ran an advertisement that read ''Working Poor?'' following an article on the 75th anniversary of Kobayashi's death.
Shinchosha Publishing Co. said that in a normal year usually around 5,000 copies were reprinted. But this year, it has already printed nearly 380,000 copies.
The Tokyo publisher said people in their 20s account for about 30 percent of purchasers. Another publishing house is reprinting copies while ''Kanikosen'' is also available in the form of a ''manga'' comic.
A bookstore in Tokyo's Shibuya district, a popular hangout for young people, displays copies of ''Kanikosen'' on the bestsellers shelf at the front of the store.
University student Taku Okamoto, 19, who first came across an excerpt of the book in a school textbook, said he wanted to read it after hearing that it was selling well.
Sho Katsumata, 26, a union activist, said he read the book last year.
Katsumata is currently living on unemployment benefit and savings after losing a part-time job and is fighting to be reinstated. ''I feel like I don't want to be silent and remain defeated,'' he said.
Makoto Yuasa, secretary general of nonprofit organization Moyai Independent Life Support Center, said quite a few readers seem to relate the book to the current situation, which he described as characterized by highhanded corporate posturing, and believe ''it's akin to the way we are being forced to work.'' A discussion thread four years ago under the title ''Densha Otoko'' (train man) on Internet forum ''2channel'' was compiled into a love story. The editor of the story was struck by a post on the same forum that read, ''I am working for a 'black' company but I am probably reaching my limit.'' The editor compiled posts from the site into a book which was published by Shinchosha at the end oflast month.
The main character of ''2 Channel'' is a 26-year-old computer programmer in a small information technology company who got the job after spending time as a NEET -- someone not in employment, education or training.
He feels miserable working for a subcontracting company in which hard overnight work, a highhanded superior and the inability to reject tough deadlines are the norm. Encouraged by messages of support on the site telling him to ''hang in there,'' he continues in his struggle at work.
''It's a modern day 'Kanikosen' in the way he changes and develops himself,'' said the editor. ''I want struggling young people to read it.'' Commenting on the boom that Kobayashi's book is enjoying, Teru Shimamura, professor of proletarian literature at Joshibi University of Art and Design, said, ''As anxiety about life is spreading, readers appear to be looking for works that talk about 'poverty' honestly, which have been invisible up to now.''
