Hakubunkan publishing house was founded by Ohashi Sahei (1835–1901) in 1887. Within two years the company was publishing 10 magazines and in five years had published 500 book titles, eventually reaching 87 magazine and 6,500 book titles. At the turn of the 19th century, Hakubunkan redefined the publishing industry with the lead periodical Taiyo (The Sun) and pioneered vertical integration of the printing industry through in-house writers, paper service, and private newswire. Under editor Oshikawa Shunro (1876–1914), Hakubunkan also initiated mass-oriented children’s literature and pictorial novels from adventure stories. Extensive national networks allowed Hakubunkan to influence literary and political movements through selective publishing. The extent of its influence, however, led to its being liquidated during the Allied Occupation.
See also AKAI TORI.
Historical dictionary of modern Japanese literature and theater. J. Scott Miller. 2009.