Pre-Release Reprint Confirmed for 91-Year-Old Author Takashi Atoda's Final Short Story Collection, "From the Palm of My Hand, With Love," Releasing May 27

Takashi Atoda, known as a master of the short story who has written over 900 works in his lifetime, will release his final short story collection, "From the Palm of My Hand, With Love: Takashi Atoda's Last Short Story Collection," from Shinchosha on Wednesday, May 27. This is a palm-of-the-hand story collection of 36 short-shorts, each less than 10 manuscript pages long, by the 91-year-old Naoki Prize-winning author. A pre-release reprint of this work has now been decided! The newly released cover design for Takashi Atoda's "From the Palm of My Hand, With Love: Takashi Atoda's Last Short Story Collection." Mr. Atoda has maintained his writing style of weaving stories with manuscript paper and pencil, unchanged since his debut. On the publication of this book, he says: "I've always felt that my own hands hold the ideas for my novels. But as I've grown older, good ideas don't come to me as easily. Even so, my desire to deliver novels that meet a good standard within myself to all readers has not changed. Alright, I'll give it my last ounce of strength and bring it to a close—that's what I've decided." While he speaks with a gentle smile, it is also a fact that as readers, we feel a pang of sadness at the news of the "end" for Mr. Atoda, who has been active at the forefront for many years. As if to empathize with these feelings, Mr. Atoda continues: "I like the idea of an 'ending,' so I have no negative feelings at all about it being the 'last' one. I don't think I'll write any more novels, but I want to continue to do my best with writing essays and other things. At 91, this will be the last novel collection that I deliver to all my readers with gratitude at this milestone in my creative life. I would be happy if you could pick it up with a cheerful heart." "From the Palm of My Hand, With Love: Takashi Atoda's Last Short Story Collection" includes all 36 works written from a piece published in a magazine in 1993 until last year when he turned 90. A vivid story and an ending full of surprises, rising from just a few pages of manuscript. Please look forward to these numerous palm-of-the-hand stories, condensed with the skill and playfulness unique to a master. More details on "From the Palm of My Hand, With Love" here. Last September, he published the essay collection "90 Years Old, A Man Living Alone," which lightly describes the wisdom effective for an elderly man living alone and tips for spending his days in a good mood. After its publication, it was featured on NHK's "Ohayo Nippon" and "Gogo LIVE Newsーン," in national newspapers, and even in two Korean media outlets, and it is now in its 8th printing with over 37,000 copies sold. He has been living alone at home since his wife entered a nursing home several years ago. In this book, he writes with his characteristic light touch about his days in old age, living positively with the mottoes "It's fine as long as things are 'so-so'" and "Humor is for the old," while accepting his age. He checks his face in the mirror in the morning, ensures nutrition with simple cooking, experiences failed shopping through mail order, enjoys "reading" rakugo, counts The Tale of Genji and the Ogura Hyakunin Isshu on sleepless nights, and sometimes thinks of his wife and deceased loved ones. This is a rich essay collection that not only provides hints for lightly enjoying everything from clothing, food, and shelter to hobbies and culture, but also conveys the richness of life through the wisdom and experience accumulated over 90 years. More details on "90 Years Old, A Man Living Alone" here. [Book Contents] A great surprise born from just a few manuscript pages. A collection of palm-of-the-hand stories of love and stratagem released by a master. A boat setting off from the underground of Ginza, pitfalls of love born from cultural differences, another me visible from the window, a train running towards a distant childhood—using ideas, wit, and a cynical style as his weapons, he has produced one sharp short story after another, with over 900 works sent out into the world. At 91, having finally reached the end of his creative life, he presents this gift to his readers with gratitude: a collection of 36 exquisite "palm-of-the-hand novels." [Author Profile: Takashi Atoda] Born in Tokyo in 1935 (Showa 10). Graduated from the Faculty of Letters, Waseda University. He continued his writing activities while working at the National Diet Library, debuting in 1978 with "From the Refrigerator, With Love." He won the Mystery Writers of Japan Award in 1979 for "Visitor" and the Naoki Prize for his short story collection "Napoleon-kyō." In 1995 (Heisei 7), he received the Yoshikawa Eiji Prize for Literature for "New Tale of Troy." His numerous other works include "Do You Know Greek Mythology?," "Do You Know The Tale of Genji?," "Do You Know Junichiro Tanizaki?," "Embrasse," "Night of the Underground Waterway," "The Secrets of Novel Writing," and "90 Years Old, A Man Living Alone." He was awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon in 2003 and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette in 2009. In 2018, he was selected as a Person of Cultural Merit. [Book Data] [Title] From the Palm of My Hand, With Love: Takashi Atoda's Last Short Story Collection [Author] Takashi Atoda [Release Date] May 27, 2026 (Wednesday) [Format] 4-6 size, 240 pages [Price] 2,090 yen (tax included) [ISBN] 978-4-10-334333-2 [URL] https://www.shinchosha.co.jp/book/334333/