The cover shows signs of aging, with scratches and soiling. There are no issues with reading the book. The pages inside are clean. Please check the images for stains on the obi and cover. Content: This picture book is based on the author's true story of traveling across Japan on horseback with "Gonta," from Hokkaido to Kagoshima. The 2,600-kilometer adventure, spanning 112 days, is depicted with beautiful, evocative woodblock prints. It's a heartwarming adventure diary told from the perspective of the horse, Gonta. This book won the 7th Ehon Nippon Award and was also selected as a recommended book for the National Youth Reading Essay Contest.