Vertically Shelf

Support

A library of Japanese, Chinese and Korean classics, set top to bottom, right to left. Questions, problems or feedback · we’re glad to help.

Contact us

Need help, want to report a problem, or have a book to suggest? Email jihoons@designwithorbital.com. We aim to reply within a few business days.

Frequently asked questions

Which languages does the app speak?

Its menus are in Japanese, Korean or Traditional Chinese: you choose on first launch, and that also filters the shelf to that language’s books. The shelf’s 全 · 한 · あ · 中 capsule changes the filter. Each book is read in its one language. There is no English interface.

How do I open a book, and get back to the shelf?

Tap a cover: the book opens to the page where you left it. Tap the bar across the top to put it back on the shelf; the ⓘ at the bar’s end opens the book’s introduction and credits.

What are the two reading layouts?

In Settings (the gear): 단락별 · 段落ごと · 逐段 is a printed page of two tiers, turned a row at a time with ⌃ ⌄ on the rail or a vertical swipe. 흐름 · 流れ · 流動 is one continuous run of columns you scroll right to left; pull past the end of a chapter to open the next.

How do I jump to a chapter?

Tap the chapter’s name at the top of the rail to open the contents.

Can I change the typeface, theme or text size?

Yes. In Settings: mincho (serif) or gothic (sans); light, sepia or dark; three text sizes.

Can I read my own files?

Tap + on the shelf to import a PDF or a text file. A PDF needs a text layer (a scan of pages has no text to set). Text files may be UTF-8, UTF-16, Shift_JIS, EUC-KR or Big5. The app finds the language and the chapters and sets the text vertically. To remove an import, tap ⋯ under its cover.

Is there furigana, or a dictionary?

Not yet. The Japanese books are set without furigana for now; adding it is the next big job.

How do I see the tour again?

Open Settings and tap the ? in its top corner.

Does the app need an internet connection?

No. Every book and font is bundled in the app, and everything works offline.

Does the app collect my data?

No. Vertically Shelf collects no data at all. See the Privacy Policy.

Sources and credits

Every book on the shelf is public domain or openly licensed. The Japanese texts come from Aozora Bunko (青空文庫), typed and proofread by its volunteers; the Chinese and Korean texts, and two Japanese translations, from Wikisource. Our thanks to both. Vertically Shelf adapts each text’s punctuation for vertical setting, and sets the Japanese books without furigana for now. Vertically Shelf is not affiliated with Aozora Bunko or Wikisource.

Japanese

  • こころ · 夏目漱石 · 青空文庫
  • 吾輩は猫である · 夏目漱石 · 青空文庫
  • 坊っちゃん · 夏目漱石 · 青空文庫
  • 銀河鉄道の夜 · 宮沢賢治 · 青空文庫
  • 羅生門・鼻 · 芥川龍之介 · 青空文庫
  • 源氏物語 · 紫式部 · 与謝野晶子 訳 · 青空文庫
  • ファウスト · ゲーテ · 森鴎外 訳 · 青空文庫
  • ロミオとジュリエット · シェイクスピア · 坪内逍遥 訳 · 青空文庫
  • 聊斎志異 · 蒲松齢 · 田中貢太郎 訳 · 青空文庫
  • 不思議の国のアリス · ルイス・キャロル · 大久保ゆう 訳『アリスはふしぎの国で』 · 青空文庫 · CC BY 4.0 · punctuation adapted for vertical setting
  • 論語 · 孔子 · 服部宇之吉 訳 · Wikisource
  • 老子道徳経 · 老子 · 井上秀天 訳 · Wikisource

Traditional Chinese

Korean

  • 하늘과 바람과 별과 시 · 윤동주 · Wikisource
  • 진달래꽃 · 김소월 · Wikisource
  • 님의 침묵 · 한용운 · Wikisource
  • 한국 근대 단편선 · 현진건 · 김동인 · 나도향 · 김유정 · 이효석 · 이상 · Wikisource
  • 사랑의 선물 · 방정환 번안 · Wikisource
  • 이솝 우화 · 이솝 · 배위량 (William M. Baird) 옮김 · Wikisource
  • 이상한 나라의 앨리스 · 루이스 캐럴 · Jjw 옮김 · Wikisource · released into the public domain by its translator

The cover plates are public-domain artworks, each credited in its book’s introduction (the ⓘ in the reader). The reading faces include Noto Sans CJK and Noto Serif CJK, under the SIL Open Font License.

Archive images in the film

The film on the Vertically Shelf page opens on a pile of pages written top to bottom: books, manuscripts, newspapers, posters, signs and rubbings from Korea, China and Japan. Every one is public domain or CC0. With thanks to the libraries and museums that photographed and shared them.