Publishing in English for the very first time, Japan’s best loved classic tells the story of a young boy’s journey to discovering what really matters in life

Publishing in English for the very first time, Japan’s beloved coming of age classic on what really matters in life

The streets of Tokyo swarm below fifteen year-old Copper as he gazes out into the city of his childhood. Struck by the thought of the infinite people whose lives play out alongside his own, he begins to wonder, how do you live?

Considering life’s biggest questions for the first time, Copper turns to his dear uncle for heart-warming wisdom. As the old man guides the boy on a journey of philosophical discovery, a timeless tale unfolds, offering a poignant reflection on what it means to be human.

Genzaburo Yoshino (1899-1981) was a writer, editor and journalist. In 1935, the writer Yamamoto appointed him editor-in-chief of the 16-book series- A Library for Young Japanese Nationals. How Do You Live? is the final book in this series, bringing in themes of Marxism, antimilitarism and Buddhism.