(Tokyo), Kodansha, (1985). The first English language edition of his second book and the second book in the "Trilogy of the Rat," following Hear the Wind Sing and preceding The Wild Sheep Chase. A small, pocket-sized paperback, in the Kodansha English Library series, a series intended to allow Japanese readers to read Japanese books in English; the notes in the back -- themselves an unusual feature in a book of fiction -- translate English colloquialisms into Japanese characters. Owner name and date inside the rear cover under flap; otherwise a near fine copy in wrappers in a near fine dust jacket nicked at the crown and with a corner crease to the front flap. [#024948] SOLD