Photo/Illutration A Japanese literature handbook published by Daiichi Gakushusha Corp. (Captured from the website of Daiichi Gakushusha Corp.)

When I was in senior high school, there were two tricks I relied on to help myself get through boring classes.

One was to look at an atlas and go on an imaginary trip, riding trains freely and travelling upriver.

Another was to open my copy of “Kokugo Binran” (Japanese literature handbook), a hefty reference book that contained facial photos of famous authors, a chronology of literary history, and so on.

On a bald portrait of poet Masaoka Shiki (1867-1902), I once used a pencil to give him long tresses. On another occasion, I kept gazing at a “pike and shield” diagram of ancient China.

Although I used the handbook only once or twice for schoolwork, I always kept it handy during Japanese class.

“Karaa-ban Shin Kokugo Binran” (Revised edition of Japanese literature handbook in color), published by Daiichi Gakushusha Corp., is registering unprecedented sales among adults.

The book sold out after it went viral on social media in late March. When it was reprinted and sold by online lottery, the ratio of lottery winners against applicants exceeded 1 to 10.

I was finally able to get a copy the other day. Jogging my memory and feeling nostalgic, I have been poring through it ever since.

It has a relationship diagram of characters in “Genji Monogatari” (The Tale of Genji), and a special feature on “war and literature.”

There is even a guide on how to make a presentation, which seems to be indicative of the present day.

Re-reading the book for the first time in ages, I was surprised by the sheer richness of the information contained in just one volume.

A spokesperson for the publisher noted, “Because most purchasers were women at first, we presumed they were fans of games and manga featuring famous literary greats. More recently, however, the book seems to have caught the interest of more readers across generations.”

My desire to learn again has been fired up, too.

In the margin on one page of the book, I came across this gem that goes to the effect, “Learn when young, and you will achieve great things in your prime. Learn in your prime, and your mind will not decline in old age.”

There is no time like the present. When learning is involved, I am sure there is no such thing as “too late.”

--The Asahi Shimbun, June 21

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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