The points of issue
First edition in English, translated by Alfred Birnbaum. Published by Kodansha International, ISBN 4-7700-1683-6, roughly 393 pages. First printing in black paper-covered boards over a black cloth spine stamped in yellow, with the jacket illustration by Maki Sasaki; no later-printing statement on the true first. Sequel to A Wild Sheep Chase.
Is this the true first?
The Kodansha International edition of 1994 is the first edition in English; the UK edition (Hamish Hamilton) followed. The Japanese original was published in 1988.
Telling it from reprints & book-club editions
Vintage International paperbacks are reprints.
Frequently asked questions
Is my copy of Dance Dance Dance (Dansu Dansu Dansu) a first edition?
Look for these first-edition points: First edition in English, translated by Alfred Birnbaum. Published by Kodansha International, ISBN 4-7700-1683-6, roughly 393 pages. First printing in black paper-covered boards over a black cloth spine stamped in yellow, with the jacket illustration by Maki Sasaki; no later-printing statement on the true first. Sequel to A Wild Sheep Chase.
How do I tell the first printing from a later one?
Check the copyright page for the publisher's first-printing convention and confirm the points above. The Kodansha International edition of 1994 is the first edition in English; the UK edition (Hamish Hamilton) followed. The Japanese original was published in 1988.
Is the book-club edition the same as the first?
Vintage International paperbacks are reprints.
I have a first edition of Dance Dance Dance (Dansu Dansu Dansu) — what should I do?
If you're clearing books, New Mexico Literacy Project offers free pickup in Albuquerque, any condition, and makes sure collectible copies aren't lost. To sell, see the author's collecting guide. Either way, nothing valuable ends up in a landfill.