Osamu Dazai was a Japanese author considered one of the foremost fiction writers of 20th-century Japan. His works, often written in a semi-autobiographical style with transparency into his personal life, intrigue readers. His stories also bring awareness to important topics such as human nature, mental illness, social relationships, and postwar Japan. His works are regarded as modern classics in Japan.
Set in post-World War II Japan, the narrative follows Kazuko as she navigates personal and societal upheaval after losing her family's wealth. Burdened by her mother's illness, a recent divorce, and the trauma of stillbirth, Kazuko's life takes a turn when her brother returns from war, only to struggle with opium addiction. Her brief love affair with a troubled novelist offers little solace, yet she ultimately embraces independence when faced with an unexpected pregnancy, challenging traditional moral constraints. Dazai's exploration of alienation remains relevant, resonating with contemporary readers.
Dazai's exploration of egoistic pessimism resonates with contemporary emo culture and the emotional depths of teenagers across generations. Renowned for his novels, he also showcases his literary prowess in this collection of twenty short stories, blending diverse styles with sharp humor and deep empathy for the human experience. Each story reflects his exceptional talent and insight, making this anthology a significant contribution to literature.
A classic of Japanese literature, brought to life in English & manga for the
first time!This is the first manga edition in English of The Setting Sun,
Osamu Dazai's classic novel, often considered his masterpiece.Set in the
aftermath of World War II, this is the story of Kazuko, a strong-willed young
woman from an aristocratic family that has fallen into poverty since the war.
The book follows Kazuko's journey as she and her family struggle to survive
and adapt to the harsh new conditions. In addition to having to move from
Tokyo to the countryside, where she is forced to work in the fields to support
the family, she has to deal with a difficult divorce, the birth of a stillborn
child, and the return of her drug-addicted brother from the war. This gripping
and inspiring portrait of one woman's determination to survive in a society
that is in the grip of a social and moral crisis tells one story in a fast-
changing world, with universal themes that resonates with readers today.After
Soseki Natsume, Osamu Dazai is Japan's most popular writer. Dazai is enjoying
a surge in interest among young people today thanks to the success of the
manga, anime and film series Bungo Stray Dogs, whose protagonist, a detective
named Osamu Dazai, is based on the real-life author.
Bringing together novelist Osamu Dazai's best autobiographical shorts in a single, slim volume, Self-Portraits shows the legendary writer at his best--and worst
What dark fate awaits beneath the roaring falls? Suwa and her father live alone on the slopes of Horsebare Mountain, eking out the most meager of existences. During the warmer months the beautiful waterfall brings a few sightseers, but when winter comes there is only solitude. Suwa would do anything to escape the life to which her father has resigned himself. And the lure of the river is strong... This early classic from the author of Japan’s greatest modern novel is a dark, elliptical tale of hopelessness that weaves the folklore of the mountains into an anti-coming-of-age story as vividly relevant today as it was when it was written nearly a hundred years ago.
The war is over. Japan is defeated. As his country rebuilds, a young man must fight disease and rebuild his life. He will start at a peculiar sanatorium, where everyone gets a nickname, and where he is surrounded by an odd assortment of patients and caregivers. Osamu Dazai was a leading Japanese modern fiction writer who wrote in the genre of the "I" novel. His work reflected his troubled life, but Pandora's Box is one of his optimistic novels.
Set in Tsugaru, Aomori Prefecture, during the spring of 1944, the narrative explores the impact of World War II on a small Japanese community. The story delves into the lives of its residents as they navigate the challenges and changes brought by the war. Themes of resilience, community bonds, and the struggle for normalcy amidst turmoil are central to the characters' experiences, showcasing their hopes and fears during a time of uncertainty.
This final volume of the critically acclaimed series, reveals Yozo Ohba's quick and tragic demise. After what appears to be a brief period of marital bliss from the budding cartoonist, a shocking revelation reopens deep emotional wounds leading him towards reclusion and eventual self destruction. A modern classic which explores the mind of an alienated man who feels he is a spectator in his own life. Based on the novel by Osamu Dazai, Usamaru Furuya has breathed new life into the classic with his beautiful graphic art.
