Hyōronsha

Hyōronsha (株式会社評論社) is a Japanese publishing house founded in 1948 by Mina Takeshita and her husband Ikuyo Takeshita. Based in Shinjuku, Tokyo, the company began by publishing specialized academic works but soon found success with children's literature and educational reference books. Its early bestseller was a Japanese edition of Ernest Thompson Seton's animal stories, and it also became known for its "table-style" study guides. Over the decades, Hyōronsha has built a distinguished list of fantasy classics and children's books, including the first Japanese publication of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (translated by Teiji Seta, 1972–1975), The Silmarillion, and works by Roald Dahl. The company remains a family-run business, currently led by president Harunobu Takeshita. It continues to publish new picture books and children's titles, and in 2026 it is celebrating its long history with an exhibition of original picture-book art in Takasaki, Gunma. Hyōronsha is known for bringing international children's literature to Japanese readers and for maintaining a strong backlist of beloved classics.

Hyōronsha was founded in 1948 by Mina Takeshita (1919–2003) and her husband Ikuyo Takeshita. Ikuyo served as president from 1948 to 1959, after which Mina took over the role, serving until 1986 when she became chairman. Mina died in a car accident in February 2003. The company initially published specialized academic works, but its fortunes changed with the success of a Japanese edition of Ernest Thompson Seton's animal stories, compiled by Kenji Uchiyama. It also became known for its "table-style" study guides, which were widely used by students. In the 1970s, Hyōronsha published the first Japanese translation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (translated by Teiji Seta, 1972–1975), a landmark that established its reputation in fantasy literature. The company went on to publish many classic fantasy and children's titles, including The Silmarillion, The Worst Witch series, and the Roald Dahl Collection. It also published the Green Knowe series and Watership Down. In the 1990s, a new edition of The Lord of the Rings (co-translated by Teiji Seta and Akiko Tanaka) was released in paperback. Today, Hyōronsha continues to publish children's books and picture books, maintaining its focus on quality literature for young readers. The current president is Harunobu Takeshita. In 2026, the company is the subject of an exhibition at the Takasaki Picture Book Festival, celebrating its long history of bringing international picture books to Japan.

• 2026

  Hyōronsha exhibition at the 32nd Takasaki Picture Book Festival.

• 2003

  Mina Takeshita dies in a car accident.

• 1992

  New paperback edition of The Lord of the Rings released.

• 1986

  Mina Takeshita becomes chairman.

• 1972

  First Japanese edition of The Lord of the Rings published (translated by Teiji Seta).

• 1959

  Mina Takeshita becomes president.

• 1948

  Hyōronsha founded by Mina and Ikuyo Takeshita.

A family-run Japanese publisher specializing in children's literature, picture books, and classic fantasy, with a reputation for high-quality translations and enduring backlist titles.

• The Lord of the Rings

  Japanese edition, translated by Teiji Seta (1972–1975) and later by Teiji Seta and Akiko Tanaka (1992).

• The Silmarillion

  Japanese edition of Tolkien's work.

• Roald Dahl Collection

  Collection of works by Roald Dahl.

• The Worst Witch series

  Children's fantasy series.

• Green Knowe series

  Children's fantasy series by Lucy M. Boston.

• Watership Down

  Japanese edition of Richard Adams' novel.

1. 1株式会社評論社 | 児童図書・絵本・一般書籍hyoronsha.co.jp
2. 2会社案内 | 株式会社評論社hyoronsha.co.jp
3. 3評論社 - Wikipediaja.wikipedia.org
4. 4Hyōronsha - Wikidatawikidata.org