Yurishizu (Ulysses). by JOYCE, James - 1931 & 1934: Translated by Ito Sei, Nagamatsu Sadamu and Tsujino Hisanori.

Tokyo: Daiichi Shobo,, 1931 & 1934. The first non-European translation, inscribed by the translator First edition in Japanese, first printing, presentation copy, inscribed by the translator to fellow novelist Narasaki Tsutomu on the front free endpaper of volume 1, transcribed on a loosely inserted slip, "Ito Sei - Narazaki Tutomu". This edition is the first non-European translation and predates the publication of the work in England and the United States. Much of the more direct Molly Bloom soliloquy is tipped in to this work on xerox sheets, reinstating the expurgation of text omitted to avoid censorship. Despite this omission the sale of the second volume was banned in 1934 on the basis that what was included represented a "portrayal of the lustful meanderings of a middle-aged female". Of this edition volume 1 was printed in a run of 2,000 copies and volume 2 in a run of 1,500. Ito Sei (1905-1969) played a significant role in the transmission of English literature to a Japanese audience, also translating Lady Chatterley's Lover in 1950, resulting in a landmark obscenity trial. He was a highly successful critic, poet, and novelist and in 1963 won the Kikuchi Kan Prize for his achievements in Japanese literature. This highly important edition is notably scarce, with just one other set traced at auction, volume 1 of which was a reprint. 2 volumes, octavo. Original limp blue cloth, titles to spines in gilt, beige endpapers. Vol. 2 with dust jacket and original glassine wrapper. Housed in a dark blue cloth flat-back box by the Chelsea Bindery. Text in Japanese. Occasional pencil annotations. Bookseller's ticket to pastedowns of vol. 2. Spines a little rolled and toned, slight mottling and a couple of marks to cloth, touch of wear to spine ends and tips, occasional foxing and water marks to contents; a very good set, spine of dust jacket to vol. 2 lightly sunned. Slocum and Cahoon D91.