Read : Botchan

Published: February 2009
PT Gramedia Pustaka Utama
Writer: Natsume Soseki
Cover: Martin Dima
Indonesian Title: Botchan
Book; 224 pages; English/Japanese-Bahasa Indonesia


Botchan was first published in Japanese way back in 1906.It was written by Natsume Soseki who is widely regarded as the best modern (i.e post 1868) Japanese prose writer. As well as novels he also wrote essays, literary criticism pieces and composed traditional haiku and poetry.

Botchan is one of his earlier works and reflects his experiences as a secondary school teacher in Shikoku and Kyushu.
The leading character of the book Botchan is used as a vehicle by the author to poke fun at various institutions and parts of Japanese society as well as individual human foibles and failings. One doesn't have to be Japanese to identify with the urban/rural distinctions he draws such as the perceived backwardness of small towns versus the modernity of cities like Tokyo.