Internationall renowned film auteu Takeshi Kitano has been applauded for his challenging portrayals of manhood and men, most notably rogue gifures. Discerning fans of his cinematic oeuvre, however, have also appreciated the lyrical sensibility that infuses even his most violent works. In Boy, Kitano's essential vision is filtered through crystalline prose and the prism of childhood; the result is a gem of memory and nostalgia.

While his impressive cinematic output has been compared to, and introduced to the American public by, Quentin Tarantino and the like, Kitano's equally delightful gift for pure word-craft has been a better-kept secret of his native Japan. This first American translation of his literary fiction illustrates the notion of boyhood that has underlain all his work--as well as that of many a creator valuing generous and bold invention.

The three stand-alone tales take place at early, middle and late adolescence. In The Champion in a Padded Kimono two brothers--one a bookworm and the other a jock--learn a lesson or two about hope and desire on Sports Day. Nest of Stars features a different pair of brothers for whom stargazing becomes a poignant way of life. In Okamesan, a very young history buff goes on his frst solo field mission to Kyoto where he runs into a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Tender and funny, Boy is a perfect introduction to Kitano's world and a must-read for fans of the artist.

"The first American translation of acclaimed filmmaker Kitano's fiction is comprised of three short stories touching on different moments in childhood. The first, 'The Champion in a Padded Kimono,' features two brothers, one more athletically inclined than the other, at their elementary school's track and field day; the two enact the boyhood rituals of friendship and hero worship. The second story, 'The Nest of Stars,' narrated by the younger of two brothers, is the best of the three. Equally unpopular, the pair use astronomy as a vehicle for grief over their father, who gave them a telescope before he died. When their mother introduces her new boyfriend, the boys react badly. The final tale, 'Okame-san' follows a nerdy, history-buff teenager to Kyoto, where he meets a biker bad girl who tries to loosen him up a little. Kitano has real insights into coming-of-age milestones and the growing pains of adolescence, but the unembellished prose, as rendered here, doesn't always bring them into focus." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

From the internationally renowned filmmaker Beat Kitano comes a rare piece of literary fiction. This collection presents three heart-warming stories of brotherhood, boyhood, and friendship.