Help fund new edition of Nobility of Failure by Ivan Morris

[Jet_Jaguar]

http://www.indiegogo.com/MorrisNobility?a=1045131

The Nobility of Failure: Tragic Heroes in the History of Japan
by Ivan Morris

Alexander, Robin Hood, Wellington, George Washington... The Western literatures are packed with the stories—real and otherwise—of diverse heroes, but most of them share the common element of victory. Many of them died heroically to achieve their goals.

In Japan, however, many of the most revered heroes lost their lives without achieving their goals, and in many cases fought their battles in full realization that they would end in abject defeat and death.

This cultural background remains a bedrock underlying the modern Japanese psyche, and continues to shape the Japanese as individuals and a society even today, unconsciously, in the same way that we are still affected by the myths and tales of our youth.

Long recognized as a core book in any study of Japanese culture and literature, The Nobility of Failure examines the lives and deaths of nine historical individuals who faced overwhelming odds, and, realizing they were doomed, accepted their fate—to be killed in battle or by execution, to wither in exile, or to escape through ritual suicide. Morris then turns his attention to the kamikaze pilots of World War II, who gave their lives in defense of their nation in the full realization that their deaths would have little effect on the course of the war.

Through detail, crystal-clear prose and unmatched narrative sweep and brilliance, Professor Morris takes you into the innermost hearts of the Japanese people.



Kurodahan Press hopes to make this book available once again in English, in trade paperback and ebook (ePub and Mobi) formats. This new edition will be textually identical to the original, but without the Glossary or Outline Chronology found in the hardcover edition. Minor typographical errors will be corrected, and the book will feature a new introduction by Juliet Winters Carpenter. Note that while the printed edition will use macrons, macrons are not supported in electronic book players yet, so all macron vowels will be replaced by non-macron vowels in both ePub and Mobi formats.

Publication will be in early 2013, and while the list prices are not fixed yet, they are expected to be US$25.00 for the paperback and US$7.99 for the ebook.

If the total amount received exceeds US$4800, the extra will be applied to other books to be translated into English from Japanese.

[Jet_Jaguar]

The campaign wasn't successful, but Kurodahan press says that they're going to try again in January.

[Jet_Jaguar]

Kurodahan Press just launched a second attempt at funding a publishing run for this book:

http://www.indiegogo.com/NobilityFailure/x/1045131

[Jet_Jaguar]

Kurodahan Press finally released this book, I got my copy a couple of weeks ago. Looks very interesting so far.

http://www.kurodahan.com/mt/e/catalog/jp0035cate.html