Cover of another edition of this book. The Peter Owen 1958 jacket has not been photographed yet.
Identification points are listed only where two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 20 Oct 2026.
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Dazai's novel was first published in Japan in 1947. Donald Keene's English translation first appeared in the United States from New Directions, Norfolk, Connecticut, in 1956. The first British edition is the Peter Owen hardback, London, 1958, using the same Keene translation; library records give it 189 pages. Dealers sell it as the first UK edition, issued in a dust jacket. Check that the title page carries the Peter Owen imprint rather than New Directions, since American copies also turn up in Britain.
We have not yet confirmed the issue points that tell this first impression from later ones. Until we do, compare your copy's title page and copyright page with the publisher, place and year above: any later printing or edition statement means it is not this one.
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The cover image shows this book but may not be this edition or printing.
Peter Owen, London, in 1958, in hardback.
Points of issue are listed only where at least two independent sources agree. Last reviewed 20 October 2026. Reviewed by Harriet Ellis; read how we check facts.
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