Bunkobon ( Japanese 文庫 本 bunkobon ) is a Japanese term for small format paperback books that are more affordable and portable than regular books. The vast majority of bunkers have a standard size A6 . Sometimes bunkers are illustrated and equipped with a dust jacket (like most other books published in Japan ).
The purpose of issuing books in this format is similar to the goals of issuing such books in Western countries: to reduce the cost of books that have already been published in hardcover. However, as a rule, bunkers are printed on better quality paper, and binding is more durable (in comparison with similar products in other countries, where binding of books in paperback often withstands a maximum of 2-3 readings).
Some works of Japanese writers are intended for publication in this format initially.
It is necessary to distinguish between bunkobon and bunkoban ( Japanese 文版 版 ) - a small-format edition of manga .
The origin of the term
At the end of the Meiji period, a large number of small format paperback books were published in Japan, united by the common name of the series: Shūchin Meicho Bunko ( Japanese 袖珍 名著 文庫 ) in 50 volumes ( 1903 ), Shūchin Bunko ( Japanese 袖珍 文庫 ) in 80 volumes , ( 1910 ), Tachikawa Bunko ( Japanese 立 川 文庫 ) in 200 volumes, ( 1911 ). Due to the presence of the words bunko (library) in the names of these publications, the general term bunkobon (library book) was adopted behind such books, which later became synonymous with all pocket publications in paperback [1] .
Notes
- ↑ 文庫 の 歴 史 “The History of Bunko” (December 11, 2011).
See also
- Tankobon
- Bunkoban