Tuttle Publishing
A Legacy of Bridging Cultures Through Print. Explore the journey of a distinguished publisher connecting East and West.
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About Tuttle Publishing
International Publisher
Tuttle Publishing, originally the Charles E. Tuttle Company, is a prominent book publishing house. It encompasses imprints such as Tuttle, Periplus Editions, and Journey Editions. The company is recognized internationally for its innovative books focusing on design, culinary arts, martial arts, languages, travel, and spirituality, with a particular emphasis on content related to China, Japan, and Southeast Asia.
Bridging East and West
Founded with the mission to "publish books to span the East and West," Tuttle has played a significant role in introducing Asian culture and knowledge to Western audiences. Many of its early publications on Asian martial arts, especially Japanese disciplines, were seminal works in the English-speaking world, providing foundational texts for enthusiasts and scholars alike.
Enduring Legacy
With a history spanning decades, Tuttle maintains an extensive backlist of thousands of titles, many of which remain in print. The company continues to produce around 150 new books annually, upholding its commitment to subjects of Asian interest, from literature and language learning to art, crafts, and design.
A Rich History
Founding in Post-War Japan
Charles E. Tuttle founded the company in 1948 in Tokyo, Japan. As the 31st corporation approved by the Allied administration, its initial focus was importing U.S. publications for occupying forces and exporting rare Japanese antiquarian books. By 1951, it began publishing books on Japanese language, arts, and culture, alongside translations of Japanese works.
Evolution and Name Change
In 1953, a portion of the company was spun off as Yohan to handle U.S. distribution, while Charles E. Tuttle Company retained UK distribution. After a planned acquisition of Atlantic Monthly Press in 1991 did not materialize, the company officially changed its name to Tuttle Publishing in 1996, reflecting its established identity and focus.
The Tuttle Family Legacy
While the publishing company was founded in 1948, some sources suggest a lineage tracing back to 1832 in Rutland, Vermont, with George Albert Tuttle's printing business. This earlier enterprise, focused on printing and newspapers, predates Charles E. Tuttle's venture but lacked its specific focus on Asian content, leading to ongoing discussion about the precise "founding" date of the publishing entity.
The Visionary Founder
Charles E. Tuttle's Background
Charles Egbert Tuttle, Jr. (1915–1993) was an alumnus of Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard University. His post-WWII military service in Japan, where he assisted in reviving the Japanese publishing industry, profoundly shaped his career. This experience fueled his ambition to establish a publishing house that would serve as a cultural bridge.
A Publisher's Insight
Hailing from a long-standing New England publishing family, Charles E. Tuttle Jr. developed a deep appreciation for quality books and design from his youth. His academic background in American history and literature, coupled with his early dealings in rare books, informed his vision for Tuttle Publishing, emphasizing both scholarly value and aesthetic appeal.
Current Operations
Publishing Output
Tuttle Publishing releases approximately 150 to 175 new titles each year. These cover a diverse range of subjects including cooking, crafts, history, art, architecture, current affairs, travel, origami, and children's literature. The company maintains a robust backlist of around 2,000 titles, many of which have been continuously in print for decades.
Global Reach
With offices in North Clarendon (Vermont, USA), Singapore, and Tokyo, Tuttle operates with a strong international network. Its books are distributed across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and beyond. The parent company, Periplus Publishing Group, also operates a chain of bookstores in Indonesia under the Periplus name.
Language Focus
Tuttle is recognized by UNESCO as a leading publisher of language learning materials, producing resources for learning Japanese and English, as well as numerous other languages including Tagalog, Chinese, Korean, Indonesian, Burmese, Cambodian, Lao, Malay, Thai, Vietnamese, Arabic, and Hindi.
Key Information
Company Details
Parent Company: Periplus Publishing Group
Founded: 1948
Founder: Charles E. Tuttle
Headquarters: North Clarendon, Vermont, USA
Distribution & Operations
Distribution: Simon & Schuster (US), Publishers Group Canada (Canada), Publishers Group UK (UK), Self-distributed (Southeast Asia and Japan)
Key People: Eric Oey (Publisher and CEO), Michael Sargent (Manager)
Publication Types: Books
Employees: 18 (estimated, 2013)
Official Presence
Official Website: tuttlepublishing.com
Tokyo Office: tuttle.co.jp
Related Topics
Companies
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Books
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Authority Control
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References
References
- Our Valued Clients
- International Distributors
- The London Book Fair: Tuttle Publishing (2010). Retrieved on April 20, 2010.
- Ingleton, N. (July 7, 1993). Obituary: Charles E. Tuttle. The Independent. Retrieved on April 17, 2010.
- Charles E. Tuttle Co. - Card File, 1940-1960s, vermonthistory.org. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- Tuttle's tales of tantalizing literary trials and triumphs China Daily (July 23, 2010)
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
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