Pleasure in Profit: Popular Prose in Seventeenth-Century Japan

In the 17th century, Japanese popular prose flourished with the rise of newly literate readers accessing printed books. Laura Moretti's study explores the vibrant world of vernacular popular literature, highlighting the magnitude of the publishing business and the diversity of genres. She argues that popular prose engaged readers cognitively and aesthetically, providing pleasure through knowledge acquisition. The book offers a new perspective on popular prose, celebrating its plurality and contributing to broader discussions about literature.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 432 pages
\n Publication date: 22 December 2020
\n Publisher: Columbia University Press
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In the vibrant seventeenth century, Japanese popular prose experienced a remarkable flourishing as waves of newly literate readers embraced the printed word. Responding to the insatiable hunger for knowledge, commercial publishers released an abundance of titles, catering to the thirst for knowledge-packed books. However, traditional literary histories of this era often place Ihara Saikaku at the center stage, overlooking the vast expanse of popular prose.

In her groundbreaking work, "Pleasure in Profit: The Birth of Japanese Commercial Publishing," Laura Moretti delves into the intricate world of vernacular popular literature. Through meticulous research and a wealth of new data, she unveils the magnitude and diversity of the seventeenth-century publishing business. Moretti highlights the porous nature of publishing genres, exploring how booksellers engaged readers across different literacies and tantalized them with vital ethical, religious, societal, and interpersonal knowledge. She reimagines books as powerful tools for knowledge acquisition, arguing that popular prose not only appealed to the intellect but also touched the hearts and emotions of its audience, satisfying their growing curiosity about the world.

What sets Moretti's study apart is her recognition of the dual nature of popular prose—it was not merely didactic but also entertaining. She argues that readers derived pleasure from acquiring knowledge through their interactions with transformative literature. By engaging cognitively, aesthetically, and emotionally, readers found joy in the profits gained from their intellectual pursuits.

Pleasure in Profit is a rich tapestry of archival materials that paints a vivid portrait of seventeenth-century Japanese publishing. Through this comprehensive study, Moretti not only sheds light on the world of popular prose but also contributes to broader discussions about the category of literature. She offers a fresh perspective on popular prose that celebrates its plurality, challenging the notion of a singular literary canon.

In conclusion, Laura Moretti's "Pleasure in Profit" is a groundbreaking work that delves into the birth of Japanese commercial publishing. Through her meticulous research and insightful analysis, Moretti unveils the vibrant world of vernacular popular literature, highlighting its magnitude, diversity, and the dual nature of popular prose—didactic and entertaining. By offering a fresh perspective on popular prose that celebrates plurality, Moretti contributes to our understanding of literature and its role in shaping society.

\n Weight: 620g\n
Dimension: 156 x 234 x 26 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780231197236\n \n