Kanako Nishi's 'Kumo wo Sagasu' Long-Awaited Paperback Edition Released Today! An Emotional Masterpiece That Won the Booksellers' Non-Fiction Grand Prize and Yomiuri Prize for Literature, Making 360,000 People Cry and Laugh. Free Excerpt Available, First Edition Includes Author's Handwritten Card!
Kanako Nishi's bestselling non-fiction work 'Kumo wo Sagasu' is released today in paperback by Kawade Bunko. This emotional masterpiece, chronicling her battle with breast cancer, has won awards like the Yomiuri Prize for Literature and sold over 360,000 copies. The first edition includes a special handwritten card from the author.
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- 📰 Published: April 23, 2026 at 18:00
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Kawade Shobo Shinsha (Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo / Representative Director Yu Onodera) is pleased to announce the release of Kanako Nishi's bestseller 'Kumo wo Sagasu' from Kawade Bunko today, April 23, 2026.
'Kumo wo Sagasu' Special Website: https://www.kawade.co.jp/kumosaga/
'Kumo wo Sagasu' is a non-fiction work that vividly depicts the approximately eight months from the discovery of breast cancer to the completion of treatment, after Kanako Nishi was diagnosed with the disease in Canada in 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hardcover edition, released in April 2023, garnered significant attention through features on TV programs such as "Ametalk! Booksellers' Reading Comedians" (TV Asahi), author appearances on "Asaichi Premium Talk" (NHK General) and "Ōsama no Brunch" (TBS), as well as interviews and articles in various newspapers and magazines. It dominated national bookstore rankings, becoming a bestseller with over 360,000 copies in print.
And what continued to arrive were countless voices from readers across the country.
"Living is a continuous series of things that cannot be expressed in a single word. I will continue to read it carefully, like a charm, many times over." (Hyogo Prefecture, 50s, female)
"I had always wanted to know how my husband, who died of cancer, felt. After finishing the book, I am grateful that Ms. Nishi wrote it." (Fukuoka Prefecture, 60s, female)
"I realized that I hold the decision-making power over both my body and my mind. Ms. Nishi, thank you so much for being alive." (Tokyo, 20s, female)
"As someone who has experienced the same illness, it felt incredibly real. Although it is Ms. Nishi's story, I saw myself in it." (Osaka Prefecture, 40s, female)
"I felt that all women, all citizens, should read this book. Regardless of cancer or illness, it gave me the courage to live on." (Fukui Prefecture, 60s, male)
"The words 'No need to buy a bra, it's economical' captivated me." (Kyoto Prefecture, 70s, female)
"Thank you, Kanako, it really reached me. I'm having surgery too, so please cheer me on, I'll give it a try." (40s, female)
Kawade Shobo Shinsha has preserved over 1000 letters of support,感動の声, words of gratitude, and powerful messages from readers. Thank you very much.
●Kawade Bunko 'Kumo wo Sagasu' Free Excerpt Now Available!
[Got cancer in Canada──] Kanako Nishi's first non-fiction work, finally in paperback! 'Kumo wo Sagasu,' which moved 360,000 people to feel it was "written for me," now available for free preview | Web Kawade
●To commemorate the paperback release! First edition limited to include Kanako Nishi's handwritten "Daruma Amulet Card"!
To celebrate the long-awaited paperback release, the first shipment will include a special "Daruma Amulet Card" designed with Kanako Nishi's handwritten Daruma illustration and a handwritten message on both sides.
This is a legendary amulet card that was distributed for a limited time at some bookstores during the first edition of the hardcover, and many people still cherish and carry it. This time, it will be available at bookstores nationwide, so be sure to check it out early.
●Kanako Nishi's handwritten! 'Kumo wo Sagasu' T-shirt, re-release decided with new colors!
The 'Kumo wo Sagasu' T-shirt, which was released for a limited time in 2023 and sold out instantly.
To commemorate the paperback release, the popular white T-shirt will be re-released, with a new black T-shirt also making its debut! The phrase "I am me, and I am the best" from a line in the work has been translated into English, and Kanako Nishi's handwritten words "I'm just me and I love it." are printed on it.
Reservations are currently being accepted in limited quantities on the following website. Shipments are scheduled to begin sequentially from late April.
[Kawade Online Shop]
https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/kawade-onlineshop/ta5b7a5e3a.html
・Colors: White, Black
・Sizes: S, M, L, XL (4 types)
・Tax-included price: 4,620 yen (body price 4,200 yen)
●Author Kanako Nishi
Photography: Shingo Wakagi
Born in Tehran, Iran in 1977. Grew up in Cairo, Egypt, and Osaka. Debuted with 'Aoi' in 2004. Won the Oda Sakunosuke Prize for 'Tsutenkaku' in 2007, the Kawai Hayao Story Prize for 'Fukuwarai' in 2013, the Naoki Prize for 'Saraba!' in 2015, and the 75th Yomiuri Prize for Literature (Essay/Travelogue category) and the "Booksellers' Non-fiction Grand Prize All-Time Best 2023" for this work published in 2023. Other works include 'Sakura,' 'Gyokou no Nikuko-chan,' 'Furu,' 'i,' 'Yoru ga Akeru,' and 'Watashi ni Aitai.'
●New Book Information
Title: Kumo wo Sagasu (Kawade Bunko)
Author: Kanako Nishi
Specifications: Paperback / 296 pages
Release Date: April 23, 2026 (e-book also released on the same day)
Tax-included price: 792 yen (body price 720 yen)
ISBN: 978-4-309-42251-0
Calligraphy and Cover Illustration: Kanako Nishi
Book Design: Seiichi Suzuki
URL: https://www.kaw
'Kumo wo Sagasu' Special Website: https://www.kawade.co.jp/kumosaga/
'Kumo wo Sagasu' is a non-fiction work that vividly depicts the approximately eight months from the discovery of breast cancer to the completion of treatment, after Kanako Nishi was diagnosed with the disease in Canada in 2021 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The hardcover edition, released in April 2023, garnered significant attention through features on TV programs such as "Ametalk! Booksellers' Reading Comedians" (TV Asahi), author appearances on "Asaichi Premium Talk" (NHK General) and "Ōsama no Brunch" (TBS), as well as interviews and articles in various newspapers and magazines. It dominated national bookstore rankings, becoming a bestseller with over 360,000 copies in print.
And what continued to arrive were countless voices from readers across the country.
"Living is a continuous series of things that cannot be expressed in a single word. I will continue to read it carefully, like a charm, many times over." (Hyogo Prefecture, 50s, female)
"I had always wanted to know how my husband, who died of cancer, felt. After finishing the book, I am grateful that Ms. Nishi wrote it." (Fukuoka Prefecture, 60s, female)
"I realized that I hold the decision-making power over both my body and my mind. Ms. Nishi, thank you so much for being alive." (Tokyo, 20s, female)
"As someone who has experienced the same illness, it felt incredibly real. Although it is Ms. Nishi's story, I saw myself in it." (Osaka Prefecture, 40s, female)
"I felt that all women, all citizens, should read this book. Regardless of cancer or illness, it gave me the courage to live on." (Fukui Prefecture, 60s, male)
"The words 'No need to buy a bra, it's economical' captivated me." (Kyoto Prefecture, 70s, female)
"Thank you, Kanako, it really reached me. I'm having surgery too, so please cheer me on, I'll give it a try." (40s, female)
Kawade Shobo Shinsha has preserved over 1000 letters of support,感動の声, words of gratitude, and powerful messages from readers. Thank you very much.
●Kawade Bunko 'Kumo wo Sagasu' Free Excerpt Now Available!
[Got cancer in Canada──] Kanako Nishi's first non-fiction work, finally in paperback! 'Kumo wo Sagasu,' which moved 360,000 people to feel it was "written for me," now available for free preview | Web Kawade
●To commemorate the paperback release! First edition limited to include Kanako Nishi's handwritten "Daruma Amulet Card"!
To celebrate the long-awaited paperback release, the first shipment will include a special "Daruma Amulet Card" designed with Kanako Nishi's handwritten Daruma illustration and a handwritten message on both sides.
This is a legendary amulet card that was distributed for a limited time at some bookstores during the first edition of the hardcover, and many people still cherish and carry it. This time, it will be available at bookstores nationwide, so be sure to check it out early.
●Kanako Nishi's handwritten! 'Kumo wo Sagasu' T-shirt, re-release decided with new colors!
The 'Kumo wo Sagasu' T-shirt, which was released for a limited time in 2023 and sold out instantly.
To commemorate the paperback release, the popular white T-shirt will be re-released, with a new black T-shirt also making its debut! The phrase "I am me, and I am the best" from a line in the work has been translated into English, and Kanako Nishi's handwritten words "I'm just me and I love it." are printed on it.
Reservations are currently being accepted in limited quantities on the following website. Shipments are scheduled to begin sequentially from late April.
[Kawade Online Shop]
https://store.shopping.yahoo.co.jp/kawade-onlineshop/ta5b7a5e3a.html
・Colors: White, Black
・Sizes: S, M, L, XL (4 types)
・Tax-included price: 4,620 yen (body price 4,200 yen)
●Author Kanako Nishi
Photography: Shingo Wakagi
Born in Tehran, Iran in 1977. Grew up in Cairo, Egypt, and Osaka. Debuted with 'Aoi' in 2004. Won the Oda Sakunosuke Prize for 'Tsutenkaku' in 2007, the Kawai Hayao Story Prize for 'Fukuwarai' in 2013, the Naoki Prize for 'Saraba!' in 2015, and the 75th Yomiuri Prize for Literature (Essay/Travelogue category) and the "Booksellers' Non-fiction Grand Prize All-Time Best 2023" for this work published in 2023. Other works include 'Sakura,' 'Gyokou no Nikuko-chan,' 'Furu,' 'i,' 'Yoru ga Akeru,' and 'Watashi ni Aitai.'
●New Book Information
Title: Kumo wo Sagasu (Kawade Bunko)
Author: Kanako Nishi
Specifications: Paperback / 296 pages
Release Date: April 23, 2026 (e-book also released on the same day)
Tax-included price: 792 yen (body price 720 yen)
ISBN: 978-4-309-42251-0
Calligraphy and Cover Illustration: Kanako Nishi
Book Design: Seiichi Suzuki
URL: https://www.kaw