Elizabethtown College Professor’s Book Republished in Japanese Edition

A book written by Elizabethtown College Assistant Professor of English, Tara Moore, has recently been republished in a Japanese edition. Originally published in 2014 by UK publisher, Reaktion Books, the book is now taking on a new life, for a new audience.

Moore’s book, “Christmas: The Sacred to Santa,” takes a deeper look at the extensive history and traditions having to do with the Christmas holiday. The book explores the significance of Christmas within different cultures and the distinct folklore present in each. Included are the origins of several interesting characters such as Krampus, the Norwegian Nisse, and the mischievous Icelandic Yule Lads.

The concept for the book originated from the writing of Moore’s first book, “Victorian Christmas in Print” which examined Christmas literature in Victorian Britain. In researching for “Christmas: The Sacred to Santa,” Moore focused her attention on the progression of Christmas, through the ages.

“I mainly followed lines of inquiry that would bring to light fascinating, little-known detours in Christmas’s path to becoming the holiday juggernaut it is today,” said Moore.

The rights to the book were purchased by the Japanese publisher, Hara Shobo Co. Ltd, to have it republished for a Japanese audience.