The Harm of the One-Yen Book Boom and Its Inside Story

Japan’s one-yen collected-works boom promised cheap reading on an unprecedented scale. Miyatake Gaikotsu answers with a fierce, comic account of what he considers its hidden costs.

Sixteen accusations lead into stories of canceled subscriptions, unpaid advertising bills, ruined remainder dealers, and books sold for wastepaper. Disguised titles and gleeful predictions sharpen the satire.

The complete pamphlet includes its promotional front matter, preface, poem, afterword, and original imprint. Translator’s notes explain currency, wordplay, and unresolved readings.