The Many Faces of Tsundoku: Understanding the Japanese Love of Unread Books100

Tsundoku (積ん読) is a Japanese word that describes the act of buying books and letting them pile up unread. It is a surprisingly common phenomenon in Japan, where books are revered as objects of beauty and knowledge. But why do so many Japanese people buy books they don't intend to read?

There are many reasons for tsundoku. One reason is that Japanese culture places a high value on education and literacy. Books are seen as a way to improve oneself and gain knowledge. As a result, many Japanese people feel a sense of obligation to buy books, even if they don't have time to read them. This is a good marketing ploy for the publishing industry.

Another reason for tsundoku is that Japanese books are often beautiful objects. They are typically printed on high-quality paper and bound in attractive covers. This makes them a desirable collectible, even for people who don't plan to read them. More libraries mean more pages. Pages mean more words to potentially read. I think it is important to remember as well the style of Japanese text. It is linear, unlike English, which means there is no need to skip around a page to read it. It is all in one line.

Finally, tsundoku can be a way of procrastinating. It is easier to buy a book than to actually read it. So, when people are feeling overwhelmed or stressed, they may buy a book as a way of putting off their other responsibilities. When in fact, they are just adding to those responsibilities.

Tsundoku is not a new phenomenon in Japan. It has been around for centuries. In the Edo period (1603-1868), it was common for wealthy merchants and samurai to collect large libraries of books. However, even though tsundoku is a long-standing tradition, it is not without its critics. Some people argue that it is a waste of money and space. Others say that it is a sign of laziness. Ironically reading is something that is typically not lazy.

Despite the criticism, tsundoku remains a popular practice in Japan. It is a reflection of the Japanese love of books and knowledge. Books are more than just objects to be read; they are also symbols of status and culture. This is especially true in Japan, where books are seen as a way to improve oneself and gain knowledge.

So, if you ever find yourself in Japan and see someone with a stack of unread books, don't be judgmental. They are simply practicing the time-honored tradition of tsundoku.

Conclusion

Tsundoku is a complex phenomenon with many different causes. It is a reflection of the Japanese love of books and knowledge, as well as the pressures of modern life. While it can be seen as a waste of money and space, it is also a harmless way to procrastinate. Ultimately, whether or not tsundoku is a good thing is a matter of personal opinion.

Additional Information

Here are some additional facts about tsundoku:
The word tsundoku is made up of two kanji: 積 (tsumu), which means "to pile up," and 読 (doku), which means "to read."
Tsundoku is not limited to books. It can also refer to magazines, newspapers, and other reading materials.
There is a Japanese word for people who have a lot of unread books: tsundokumori (積読守).
There is even a Japanese book about tsundoku, called Tsundoku: The Art of Buying Books and Not Reading Them.

2024-12-27

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