{"product_id":"life-of-an-amorous-man-a-tale-of-love-and-desire-in-old-japan-paperback","title":"Life of an Amorous Man: A Tale of Love and Desire in Old Japan - Paperback","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cp style=\"text-align: right;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/reportcopyrightinfringement.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReport copyright infringement\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eIhara Saikaku\u003c\/b\u003e (Author), \u003cb\u003eChris Drake\u003c\/b\u003e (Translator)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eJapan's first modern novel--an unforgettable exploration of love and desire!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Life of an Amorous Man\u003c\/i\u003e is a groundbreaking work by Ihara Saikaku, Japan's first popular novelist. This new unabridged English translation of Saikaku's seminal work includes the 54 illustrations drawn by the author and published in the original Japanese edition. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe story follows Yonosuke, a passionate man whose never-ending quest for pleasure leads him from the glitzy brothels of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and the elegant boudoirs of Kyoto to moonlit trysts along quiet lanes in the Japanese countryside. Along the way he weaves a tapestry of fleeting affairs, forbidden romances, and broken hearts. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBrimming with scandalous encounters, witty anecdotes, and poignant reflections, Yonosuke's tale provides a candid glimpse into the hedonistic world of Edo-period Japan (1680-1770), where courtesans, gamblers, and pleasure-seekers mingle in a whirlwind of indulgence. \u003ci\u003eThe Life of an Amorous Man\u003c\/i\u003e was a huge success in its day and remains a celebration of life and a fascinating glimpse of a vibrant, bygone era.\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIhara Saikaku\u003c\/b\u003e (1641-1693) was Japan's first popular novelist. He was a successful merchant in the up-and-coming city of Osaka. The tragedy of losing his wife and daughter moved him to abandon his business and become an itinerant Buddhist monk who composed haiku verses and erotic tales. Saikaku founded the ukiyo-zoshi (floating world) genre of fiction, which flourished between the 1680s and the 1770s. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eChris Drake\u003c\/b\u003e is a translator, writer, and expert on Ihara Saikaku's works. He has a PhD in Japanese Literature from Harvard University and was formerly a professor at Atomi University in Niiza, Japan. He has published many essays and books on Saikaku and other Japanese writers.\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 384\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1.3 x 7.9 x 5.1 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\n            \u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e November 25, 2025\u003c\/div\u003e\n            ","brand":"BooksCloud","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44428492636262,"sku":"9784805319857","price":26.75,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0599\/7255\/0758\/files\/CV6PiL1_ga9784805319857.webp?v=1770220260","url":"https:\/\/infinitylightwa.com\/products\/life-of-an-amorous-man-a-tale-of-love-and-desire-in-old-japan-paperback","provider":"Infinity Light","version":"1.0","type":"link"}