The following is the monthly ranking of bestsellers released by book wholesaler Nippan Shuppan Hanbai Inc. (NIPPAN) on July 29:

1.  Rikuo by Jun Ikeido

[Rikuo]

“Rikuo” is a novel about a long-established manufacturer of tabi (traditional Japanese socks) trying to enter the running shoes business by taking advantage of its expertise in making tabi.

2. Tensai by Shintaro Ishihara       

[Genius]

Ishihara burst on the literary scene in 1955 with the publication of “Taiyo no Kisetsu” (Season of   Violence), which won the Akutagawa Prize in literature. Later the author went into politics and served as governor of Tokyo for three years. The former politician was an outspoken critic of Prime  Minister Kakuei Tanaka (1918-93). Here he does a volte-face, explaining his present admiration for Tanaka.

3.  Ittewa Ikenai by Akira Tachibana

[Must Not Be Said]

Tachibana prefaces the book by saying it is an “unpleasant book,” and those who want to end the day on a happy note should not read it. He writes that people often say such things as “your efforts will not go in vain” and “character is more important than appearance,” but these platitudes are nothing more than wishful thinking.

4.  Kaiketsu Zorori no Oishii Kinmedaru by Ytaka Hara

[Incredible Zorori and the Delicious Gold Medal]

Kaiketsu Zorori is a Japanese children’s book series that is especially popular with kindergarden and elementary school children. The story is about the adventures of a fox named Zorori and his twin boar bandit apprentices Ishishi and Noshishi as they travel from place to place. “Oishii Kinmedaru” is the 59th volume in the series.

5. Donnani Karadaga Katai Hito demo Bettato Kaikyaku Dekiruyoni Naru Sugoi Hoho by Eiko

[Anyone can do a full split]

This book introduces exercises to help people become more limber and achieve their flexibility goals.