Saiichi Maruya was a Japanese author and critic whose works are characterized by a deep engagement with English literature and its translations. He dedicated his academic career to the study and teaching of English literature, while simultaneously publishing his own literary works. His approach to writing reflects a rich understanding of literary traditions combined with an innovative perspective on contemporary Japanese prose. Maruya's oeuvre thus serves as a bridge between Western and Japanese literary cultures.
A portrait of resistance to the draft in World War II in Japan. Shokichi Hamada is a conscientious objector who dodges military service by simply disappearing from society. But his secret surfaces 20 years later whilst working in a university and he faces unexpected consequences.