The Japanese translation of Terry Kay’s “To Dance With the White Dog” has become a publishing phenomenon in less than a year, with 1.5 million copies in print.

And all of it was created by an assistant manager in a small bookstore in Narashino-City.

The manager, Kazuo Kinoshita, read Kay’s novel about the relationship between a white dog and an aging man – a story based on Kay’s own father – and was inspired to write his impression of the book, resulting in an extraordinary response by readers.

In one month, the store sold 187 copies. The following month, 471 copies were sold. Yuri Iwasaki, a sales representative for the publishing company, Shinchosha, recognized the success and obtained permission to use Mr. Kinoshita’s review in an advertising campaign. In only a few weeks, 500,000 copies were in print, elevating the book to Number One in sales in many Japanese bookstores.

To Kay, the attention over “To Dance with the White Dog” in Japan is validation of a work that was rejected by major publishers.

“Everyone in New York rejected it, which was a great surprise to me,” Kay admits, “because I thought it was something readers might appreciate. The experience was also a little strange. I think the finest compliments I’ve ever had about my writing were in some of those rejection letters. It probably had to do with the nature of the book. I sometimes think New York publishers expect Southern stories to be gothic in order to be successful. My ‘White Dog’ wasn’t that at all.”

However, the manuscript was accepted by Peachtree Publishers in Atlanta and was published in 1990, earning high praise by reviewers and enthusiastic response from readers, including commentator Paul Harvey, who recommended the book on one of his national broadcasts.

The Most Reverend Desmond M. Tutu, Anglican Archbishop of Capetown, called it......a hauntingly beautiful story about love, family and relationships.”

The Kansas City Star offered: “To say it is rich, fine, sweet, and true is to minimize its power. This is poetry pretending to be fiction.”

It was twice nominated by the American Booksellers Association for its ABBY award. In 1991, the Southeastern Library Association presented Kay its Author of the Year award for the book. A Hallmark Hall of Fame television production, starring Hume Cronyn and the late Jessica Tandy, was produced in 1993, earning honors as the most watched movie on television that year. Cronyn won an Emmy for his portrayal of Sam Peek, the character based on Kay’s father.

A Japanese movie version is scheduled to be released in 125 theaters during Japan’s Golden Week. In addition, a children’s book version is being prepared. Recently, a gifted young pianist from Japan – 14-year-old Yuko Ohigashi – composed a piano piece called “Longing for You” in tribute to the book.

As a result of the acceptance of “To Dance With the White Dog” among Japanese readers, six more of Kay’s novels have been accepted for publication by Japanese publishers. They include, “The Year the Lights Came On,” “After Eli,” “Dark Thirty,” “The Runaway,” “The Kidnapping of Aaron Greene” and “Taking Lottie Home.” Kay’s “Shadow Song” had already been published in Japan.

But “To Dance With the White Dog” stands at the center of attention.

“It’s a good feeling, knowing that many people have found some pleasure in the book,” Kay says. “It’s a story that seemed to strike a chord with readers, perhaps because they have experienced similar circumstances. I don’t think any writer really understands how that works, but we’re all grateful to those who say a book matters to them.”

The success of “To Dance With the White Dog” has not been limited only to Japan. In 2001 it was the selected book in the state of Arkansas’s “If All Arkansas Read the Same Book” program. Also in 2001, it was one of the top 25 books recommended for all Georgians to read by Georgia libraries.

And how does Kay now feel about the early rejections?

“Fine,” he says. “It’s a business, and I know it. Besides, several of those editors have said to me privately that they made a mistake, and that’s a good feeling – knowing it wasn’t my story, but the nature of the business.”