Books

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. Two vols, 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.

"Ulysses" is a complex and multi-layered novel that takes place over the course of a single day, June 16, 1904, in Dublin, Ireland. It follows the lives and experiences of three central characters: Stephen Dedalus, Leopold Bloom, and Molly Bloom. Stephen Dedalus is a young aspiring writer and artist, a character partially based on Joyce himself. He struggles with his identity, his relationship with his deceased mother, and his place in the world. Leopold Bloom, a middle-aged Jewish man, is the novel's central figure. He works as an advertisement canvasser and has a deep affection for his wife, Molly. Throughout the day, Bloom encounters various events and people as he navigates Dublin. His experiences and thoughts are depicted in a stream-of-consciousness narrative style, offering insight into his musings on life, love, and his surroundings. Molly Bloom, Leopold's wife, is introduced in the final episode of the book. Her interior monologue, famously known as the "Penelope" episode, showcases her thoughts, desires, and memories, providing a different perspective on the events of the day. The novel is divided into 18 episodes, each employing a different narrative technique, style, or literary device. Joyce experiments with language, employing puns, allusions, parodies, and various linguistic styles to reflect the characters' thoughts and the vibrant atmosphere of Dublin. "Ulysses" draws heavily on Homer's "The Odyssey," with each episode mirroring an episode in the ancient epic and paralleling the adventures of Odysseus. The title itself references the Latinized name of Odysseus, and the novel explores themes of journey, identity, exile, and the human condition. Throughout the book, Joyce tackles various aspects of human experience, including politics, religion, sexuality, art, mortality, and the mundane details of everyday life. The novel is celebrated for its rich literary innovations, intricate structure, and depth of meaning, but it's also renowned for its challenging and experimental nature, which can make it a demanding read for some audiences.