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In this a first ever NFT (non-fungible token) novel project, Japanese science fiction author Miyuki Ono’s popular novel “Pure” ( published by Hayakawa Publishing in 2020) is being reedited as an NFT Original novel to release on the OpenSea NFT market place.
“Pure” has gained viral popularity ever since its debut on Hayakawa Publishing Note with a controversial but engaging storyline that follows a woman who must consume men in order to become pregnant. It has received over 200,000 public views, and was selected one of the “Best SF in 2020” novels on Apple BOOK.
Additionally, two English versions of the NFT novel, translated by two different translators, are being released on OpenSea simultaneously.
This publishing system allows the profit to go to not only the novelist, Miyuki Ono, but also to the translators Kalau Armon and Laurel Taylor for both primary and secondary market sales, continuously.
While Japanese novels and literacy have taken off to be a worldwide trend in recent years, the reality is that there is not enough translation work available or done to be published overseas. Although there are over 13,000 literary works published every year in Japan, only a fraction that get translated into English. A main reason for this is the current Japanese literary publishing system is structured in a way that is not profitable for translators.
Miyuki Ono has left a statement for this NFT project specifically addressing the situation in the current Japanese literacy translation, with hopes that the project can provide more profitable opportunities for translators.
Here is the full text of the statement in English.
This project may be a step towards further growth in Japanese novels and literature, encouraging talented translators to work more on Japanese literature by compensating them through the NFT system as their work is worth, and not just solely relying on publishers.
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- External Link
- https://grapee.jp/en/
33 Comments
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garymalmgren
Don't really understand this, so went to the Open Sea page.
At $12,730.14 it seems like quite an expensive book.
Think I'll pass.
divinda
It is a method to allow people who think they are tech-savvy to pay other people who think they are tech-savvy money.
Ah_so
NFT?
This is so random. The article assumes you know what NFT is.
kitts
What is NFT?
Miyanishi
National Fellowship of Translators?
Nippon Foundation of Translators?
Needs Further Translation?
borscht
commanteer,
I believe the sarcasm about not knowing what an NFT is or does is pointing out the bad/lazy/incompetent writing by (surprise!) Mr Grape.
Chabbawanga
NFTs are basically super-secure digital artwork, not in the sense that they were designed on a computer, but rather they exist on a blockchain. Each NFT has a unique code created using crypto technology, which is what gives it its uniqueness.
This is a very new space, valuations are currently insane. People buying 8bit portraits for hundreds of thousands of dollars, and plots of digital metaverse space for millions. Some NFTs such as hugely popular memes I guess could be worth a lot of money. Sure, you can look up that meme on google images, but it's basically the same as the Mona Lisa. Anyone can go and see it, but there is still someone that actually owns it.
Zaphod
Strangerland
I did not say "blockchain" in particular. I was referring to the entire electric economy that is being pushed as "green", with teleworking, digital currency, smartphone-based everything, ordering Amazon delivery instead of going to shops, Zoom meetings, etc etc.
All the things that are generally pushed by our "build back better" folks as being very good and very green.
You are welcome.
Garthgoyle
I still don't understand why anyone would pay ¥¥¥¥¥¥ just for an online code no one can see.
Zaphod
kitts
It is a blockchain thing. I have a wallet but am ignorant about the whole virtual world that has developed on a blockchain basis, with tokens for everything, blockchain contracts, markets to bid, buy, sell, and speculate on them and whatnot. My son is making lots of money in that world, for me it is an alien planet. And I dont even want to think about the generation above me.
Zaphod
zichi
Ah yes, welcome to the green economy where we all thing something is clean because it uses electricity.
snowymountainhell
From the above article:
“This project may be a step towards further growth in Japanese novels and literature, encouraging talented translators to work more on Japanese literature by compensating them through the NFT system as their work is worth, and not just solely relying on publishers.” -Ubesh
You are not just buying the book alone, you are buying the rights to the translation of the book (in digital format for you to reproduce, but confirm with the actual seller before dropping thousands/millions on it).
Chabbawanga
This depends on whether mining on a given blockchain requires proof of work or proof of stake. The former certainly uses an unnecessary amount of energy, but Ethereum, the second largest crypto by market cap, and the blockchain on which the majority of NFTS are minted, is changing to proof of stake next year. However, Bitcoin will always remain proof of work as far as I have read, which is obviously not ideal.
snowymountainhell
… @Miyanishi 8am gets today’s award for ‘simple yet humorous’:
Ah_so
Comanteer - yes, we know that Google exists, but a well-written article does not require someone to go googling for supplentary information. If they can't be bothered to tell me I can't be bothered to find out.
JT is a generalist publication, like a newspaper, so articles should not be published that require significant pre-existing knowledge, other than perhaps for things related to Japan.
bruhmoment
That book goes hard, imma feel free to get a pdf version lol
Tom Gill
I believe the author means “Japanese literature” rather than “literacy.” Ironically, that is a somewhat “illiterate” error.
Gaijinjland
Just print a book or comic on paper like they were intended.
TheDalaiLamasBifocals
I sold a few stock photos as NFTs for silly prices, but I stopped because the environmental impact of these things is very high.
snowymountainhell
“What’s NFT??” - While @zichi 8:44am can always be trusted for a reliable explanation where writers here often fail: …
Strangerland
Why would you ask that here, and not just google it? You could answer your own question in seconds.
snowymountainhell
Looks like the majority of controversy & commentary here is more about those questioning the manner/shortcomings of the information presented versus those defending the media’s choice to speak directly to a demographic more in tune with current trends?
Oh yeah, back on topic: Nice to see the creator and her counterparts (2 versions of translation) have an opportunity to profit from ‘their’ work.
Strangerland
What you said was:
In a thread about blockchain. So if you weren't talking about blockchain, then what was the point of your comment in relation to the conversation?
Strangerland
Where has anyone ever tried to claim blockchain would be clean? Or are you under some silly impression that the people pushing for green energy and the people using bitcoin are the same people?
Strangerland
Whoa, that's a very interesting conspiracy on which you have a theory.
commanteer
Rather than depend on JT comments for information, try Google. NFTs are a ground-breaking development in finance and IP rights and royalties, among other things. They have been one of the top news stories of the year.
If I see something written about that I haven't heard of, I simply go to Google to see what I have been missing rather than brag about not knowing.