The Editor Shares Her Thoughts on the Book

When I was asked by Kōgakusha, a publisher of language textbooks for universities, "Won't you create a French reading textbook?" I initially declined. It was a kind offer, but French reading textbooks often focus on introducing French affairs, and I didn't feel I could write about it in an interesting way. However, I thought about it on my way home. "What if we created a textbook for communicating about Japan, not France? And gathered experts who could passionately discuss topics only they could cover?" I immediately sent an email upon returning home, and the editor from Kōgakusha replied that same night, "Let's do it," and the textbook creation began.

It took about two years to complete the textbook. The first half covers familiar themes such as "Japanese Cuisine" and "Manga." Why are they popular overseas now? What is their appeal? We explore these questions while learning French. The second half delves into more abstract topics, discussing the process of production (editing) – how to "read, cultivate, and present (showcase)" – because communicating something through words is precisely following this process.


The cover design and layout are also unusual for a textbook. The paper for the main text is light blue, and the text is dark blue. I hope readers will feel a sense of joy when they read it on the train or catch a glimpse of it peeking out of their bag.

YOSHINO Mai

Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Humanities, Gakushuin University. After graduating from the University of Tokyo's College of Arts and Sciences, she entered the doctoral program in Area Studies (France) at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She obtained a DEA in French Literature from Paris IV (Sorbonne) University. Inspired by Marcel Proust's "In Search of Lost Time" in the early 20th century, she decided to pursue research in French literature. She has worked on translating and scripting French and English works in the field of stage and screen.

CHOSES QUI FONT BATTRE LE CŒUR (Things That Make the Heart Beat)

Author | YOSHINO Mai, et al.

Publisher | Kōgakusha

Price | ¥2,400

http://kohgaku.co.jp/



Chapter 1: Wagashi (Japanese Sweets) | ITO Iku (Wagashi Artisan, Toraya)

Chapter 2: Film | Cyril Cossonneau (Film Critic, Paris)

Chapter 3: Anime | Alexis Hunot (Anime Critic, Paris)

Chapter 4: Soy Sauce | MOGI Junichi (Kikkoman Foods Europe B.V., Netherlands)

Chapter 5: Japanese Cuisine | SAKANISHI Rie (CEO, The Culinary Journal Inc.)

Chapter 6: French Cuisine | DOIHARA Eiji (Owner Chef, Le sot l'y laisse, Paris)

Chapter 7: Lighting | ISHII Lisa Akari (Lighting Designer, Paris)

Chapter 8: The Beauty of Utility | KURIHARA Kazue (Maison de la culture du Japon à Paris)

Chapter 9: Incense | TORIGE Ippei (Nippon Kodo)

Chapter 10: Architecture | MIZUKO Hugo (Architect, Associate Professor, Gakushuin Women's College)

Interlude: Sweden | ILVA Lindberg (Associate Professor, University of Borås)

Chapter 11: Beauty | USHIYAMA Dai (Representative Director, Hollywood Beauty Salon Group)

Chapter 12: Manga | NATSUME Fusanosuke (Manga Critic, Professor, Gakushuin University)

Chapter 13: Manga Editing | SADOGISHIMA Yohei (Manga Editor, CEO, Cork)

Chapter 14: Publishing Agent | ONIZUKA Tadashi (Representative, AppleSeed Agency)

Chapter 15: Contemporary Art | TSUTSUMI Takao (Representative Director, The Saison Museum of Modern Art)

Chapter 16: Origami (Orikata) | SATO Takeshi (Representative, Rightning Paris)

Chapter 17: Festivals | MIYAMOTO Yoshihiko (Representative Director, Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten)

Chapter 18: Research and Development | TATEWAKI Masayuki (Former Sony Corporation)

Chapter 19: Negotiation | NUMATA Ryuichi (Senior Procurement Advisor, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP))

Chapter 20: Fragrance Evaluation | KOBAYASHI Hiroyasu (Representative Director, Stella Laboratory Inc.)

French Language Supervision | OSAWA Kei (IntermediaNET, University Museum, The University of Tokyo)