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The Old Capital

Cover may not depict edition offered for sale

About this title: Kawabata's The Old Capital mentioned in the citation accompanying his 1968 Nobel Prize for Literature, is now available in a quality paperback edition of Martin Holman's well-received translation.

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.

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The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari, and Holman, J Martin (Translated by)

price: $3.94

Ships from IN, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Trade paperback Publisher: North Point Press Date Published: 1989 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Good. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Owls Books, IN, USA

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Yasunari Kawabata

price: $4.48

Ships from IN, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Better World Books, IN, USA

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $4.50

Ships from MN, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Trade Paperback Publisher: North Point Pr, San Francisco Date Published: 1987 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Good. 0865474117 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall The covers have light edge wear and are lightly rubbed. There is a book plate on the FFE with the name scribbled out. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Emily's Books MN, MN, USA

Reliability: Best

used book

Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $7.95

Ships from WA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Mass-market paperback Publisher: Charles E. Tuttle Company Date Published: 1989 ISBN-13: 9780804815574 ISBN: 0804815577

Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. ~clean text, tight binding, light to moderate wear to exterior, Support Pacific Northwest Independent Booksellers! 164 p. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Earthlight Books, WA, USA

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $10.00

Ships from BC, CANADA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: First Printing Thus Binding: Softcover Publisher: North Point Press, San Francisco, CA Date Published: 1987 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Very Good. 8" x 5" Translated and with a note by, J. Martin Holman. Minimal wear. Clean, unmarked copy. vi + 164 pp. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Waldo's Books, BC, CANADA

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $12.00

Ships from CT, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Trade paperback Publisher: Tuttle Date Published: 1988 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Very good. No dust jacket as issued. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. Audience: General/trade. nice clean copy, no crease. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: rick roden, CT, USA

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital new book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari, and Holman, J Martin (Translated by)

list price: $15.95

our price: $13.56

you save: $2.39 (15%!)

Ships from NV, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24. Eligible for Super Value Shipping

Binding: Trade paperback Publisher: Shoemaker & Hoard Date Published: 2006 ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: New. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 182 p. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: >10

 

seller information:

Name: Alibris, NV, USA
Eligible for free shipping

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $14.75

Ships from NY, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: Reprint Binding: PAPERBACK Publisher: North Point Press, San Francisco Date Published: 1987 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: FINE CONDITION. 0865474117 Previous owner's name in the book. read more

condition:

Book: Fine/Like New

 

seller information:

Name: Gian Luigi Fine Books, Inc., NY, USA

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Holman, J. Martin; Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $14.95

Ships from CT, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: PAPERBACK Publisher: North Point Pr ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Fine. 0865474117 North Point Press trade paperback, 1987, immaculate/unmarked, spine tight/square/uncreased, only slight cover wear...Near Fine (like new). read more

condition:

Book: Fine/Like New

 

seller information:

Name: Paisleyhaze Books, CT, USA

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital new book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari / Holman, J. Martin

price: $15.13

Ships from GA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Softcover Publisher: Shoemaker & Hoard Date Published: 2006-02-09 ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9781593760328. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: 2

 

seller information:

Name: MediaCompass LLC, GA, USA

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital new book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $15.15

Ships from FL, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: PAPERBACK Publisher: Counterpoint ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: New. 1593760329 Brand new merchandise! read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: 3

 

seller information:

Name: Robin Pugh's Nest of Treasures, FL, USA

Reliability: Best

The Old Capital new book

The Old Capital

by Yasunari Kawabata

price: $15.89

Ships from CO, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Paperback Publisher: Shoemaker & Hoard Date Published: 2006 ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more

condition:

Book: New

 

seller information:

Name: UniversalAthenaeum, CO, USA

Reliability: Best

used book

The Old Capital

by Yasunari Kawabata

price: $4.45

Ships from WA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Softcover Publisher: Tuttle ISBN-13: 9780804815574 ISBN: 0804815577

Description: Good. Light shelving wear with minimal damage to cover and bindings. Pages show minor use. Help save a tree. Buy all your used books from Green Earth Books. Read. Recycle and Reuse! read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: thriftbooks, WA, USA

Reliability: High

used book

The Old Capital

by Yasunari Kawabata

price: $4.50

Ships from IA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Paperback Book Publisher: Tuttle Date Published: 1988 ISBN-13: 9780804815574 ISBN: 0804815577

Description: Fine. No dust jacket as issued. read more

condition:

Book: Fine/Like New

 

seller information:

Name: Adsrus Media, IA, USA

Reliability: High

The Old Capital new book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $4.99

Ships from CA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Trade Paper Publisher: North Point Pr, Gordonsville, Virginia, U.S.A. Date Published: 1989 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: New. BRAND NEW BOOK! Small spot on first page. read more

condition:

Book: New

 

seller information:

Name: DM&M Booksellers, CA, USA

Reliability: High

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari; Martin J. Holman (Trans)

price: $5.25

Ships from CA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Softcover Publisher: North Point Press, San Francisco Date Published: 1987 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Very Good. Octavo; 164pp; Softcover, excellent cond, no markings, no spine creases, light rubbing to panels, o/w clean tight very nice copy. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Nighttown Books, CA, USA

Reliability: High

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari; Holman, J. Martin, Tr

price: $6.95

Ships from PA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Trade Paperback Publisher: North Point Press, NY Date Published: 1989 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Near Fine. Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature 1968. Translation of: Koto. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Whodunit?, PA, USA

Reliability: High

Old Capital (Tr) new book

Old Capital (Tr)

price: $9.73

Ships from NJ, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: BRAND NEW. 1593760329. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: >10

 

seller information:

Name: indoo, NJ, USA

Reliability: High

Old Capital used book

Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $12.00

Ships from WA, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: QUALITY PAPERBACK Publisher: PUBLISHERS GROUP WEST Date Published: 2/2006 ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: VG. read more

condition:

Book: Very Good

 

seller information:

Name: Elliott Bay Book Company, WA, USA

Reliability: High

The Old Capital new book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari And Holman, J. Martin

price: $12.14

Ships from IL, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Edition: Reprint Binding: Paperback Publisher: Pgw Date Published: 2006 ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: New. Kawabata's The Old Capital mentioned in the citation accompanying his 1968 Nobel Prize for Literature, is now available in a quality paperback edition of Martin Holman's well-received translation. read more

condition:

Book: New

 

seller information:

Name: Paperbackshop, IL, USA

Reliability: High

The Old Capital new book

The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari

price: $12.69

Ships from NJ, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Softcover ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: New. Brand new book. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: 10

 

seller information:

Name: A1Books, NJ, USA

Reliability: High

The Old Capital new book

The Old Capital

by Yasunari Kawabata

price: $15.07

Ships from FL, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Paperback Publisher: Counterpoint Date Published: 2006 ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: New. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: 4

 

seller information:

Name: More Books, FL, USA

Reliability: High

The Old Capital new book

The Old Capital

by Yasunari Kawabata, J Martin Holman

price: $21.29

Ships from MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Softcover ISBN-13: 9781593760328 ISBN: 1593760329

Description: BRAND NEW FROM THE SAINT BOOKSTORE. read more

condition:

Book: New

Available qty: 4

 

seller information:

Name: The Saint Bookstore, MERSEYSIDE, UNITED KINGDOM

Reliability: High

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Yasunari Kawabata, J. Martin Holman (Translator)

price: $24.63

Ships from TX, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Paperback Publisher: North Point Press Date Published: 1989 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Good. 0865474117. read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Found Books, TX, USA

Reliability: High

The Old Capital used book

The Old Capital

by Yasunari Kawabata; Translator-J. Martin Holman

price: $28.47

Ships from WI, USA Order this item today and it should be delivered to any address by Wednesday, December 24.

Binding: Paperback Publisher: North Point Pr Date Published: 1989-11 ISBN-13: 9780865474116 ISBN: 0865474117

Description: Good. Excellent customer service. May ship from alternate location depending on your zip code and availability. Satisfaction guaranteed! ! read more

condition:

Book: Good

 

seller information:

Name: Kings Ridge Media, WI, USA

Reliability: High


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Reviews of {0} by {1}
goodreads rating 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
Aug 3, 2009
By Mark David, Philippines

"It's easy to see why the cherry blossom is regarded as an inimitable symbol of springtime in Japan. Blooming for only a week or two each year, this muse of the vernal season not only graces the Japanese landscape with enchanting elegance but also emanates a subtle, gentle charm that's evocative of the country's own aesthetic sensibility. As no poem can ever be as lovely as a tree, no verse can ever be enough to express in words the full beauty of the Sakura's flowers.
In The Old Capital, Nobel-laureate Yasunari Kawabata weaves a story about a Kimono designer's daughter whose endearing qualities is no less than that of the white cherry blossoms that fill the air with a pervasive sense of purity, modesty, and delicate beauty. The first chapter, "The Flowers of Spring", evokes a floating feeling quite similar to being young at heart. And true enough, even before the end of this short chapter, I found myself falling in love with the beautiful young woman as she takes delight at the countless blossoms which couldn't have surpassed her own loveliness. Reading each of her lines made me feel like I was really there before her, listening to her "pure voice with a beautiful note of strength that rang in its depths."
Also like the cherry blossoms, however, the sight of her is not without a note of sadness. Obedient and caring, Chieko is the pampered daughter of Shige and Takichiro, a middle-class couple who's told her since her youth that they'd kidnapped her while only a newborn because their hearts were pierced by her flowerlike smile. But as the seasons change, she grows ever more convinced that she was actually a foundling-an "abandoned child" left at the doorsteps of her adoptive parents. Soon, the peaceful life she has come to cherish collides with a world she has not known, leaving her confused like the old capital where ancient traditions appear ever in threat from the changes embraced by the emerging modern society.
Kawabata's writing is said to be "suggestive of a Zen brush-and-ink painting where what is omitted is as important as what is included." Publisher's Weekly couldn't have been more accurate in such description. In this subdued narrative, characters are often lost deep in thought-a mood that constantly reflects the peaceful yet elusive tone of the story. Dialogues quickly turn into monologues when after one character speaks, the other would simply be described as "silent" or "saying nothing." But in silence, Kawabata's brilliance only becomes more evident as those brief moments of pause intensify the feelings brought forth by the statements that precede them. With few words, he is able to express the intense physical and emotional states that his characters go through, making a short scene feel like an actual experience.
But the book's polite yet spirited characters are not the only captivating elements of the story. In between affectionate dialogues, Kawabata slips in nearly-ethereal word-paintings of the characters' surroundings, as if carefully taking note of the atmosphere that bears witness to the tale. The summer sky, the winter snow, the towering cedars and fallen petals, gardens and shrines, prayers and processions, festivals, geishas, maikos, vendors, locals and foreigners-they're all part of the painted picture where beauty often meets with sadness. It's a tour of post-war Japan that offers a close look at its people, its places, and its practices at a time when the country's identity is at a turning point.
The Old Capital is truly a story of "inexpressible warmth," a novel of such exquisite quality that it was called Kawabata's "most outstanding" work at the time of his Nobel Prize citation."

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goodreads rating 3 out of 5 3 out of 5
May 20, 2009
By John, Gainesville, FL

"An easy read - like an Ozu film, but without all the depressing parts. Try it if you want a sunny portrait of Japan."

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goodreads rating 5 out of 5 5 out of 5
Mar 10, 2009
By Micha, The United States

"How to form pretty words."

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goodreads rating 3 out of 5 3 out of 5
Jan 26, 2009
By Stefanie, Brooklyn, NY

"Note: Must look more into this author. Apparently, Holman's translation is supposed to be very true to the original. As with all translations though, I can't help but wonder if there was something more lost. I have a basic knowledge of Japanese history and have read other historical fiction about Japan however I was left wondering if I should know more to fully comprehend the author's motives.
This is the first novel I have read by Kawabata. While I was drawn to the very straightforward storytelling, at times, I was also repelled by it. I kept thinking that something was missing, some action or explanation.
And the ending... Those who have read the book will know what I mean by dot-dot-dot. Any one have any insights into this? I plan to check up on it."

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Overall customer rating:
4.1 out of 5 4.1 out of 5
16 of 17 (94%) customers said they would recommend this book to a friend.

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