Early Light

Early Light is a collection of three stories by Osamu Dazai that explore his genius, including "Mr. Rabbit," "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji," and "Villon's Wife." The title story relates his misadventures as a drinker and a family man in the fire bombings of Tokyo at the end of WWII, while the other two stories are autobiographical and comic. The final story relates the awakening to power of a drunkard's wife.

Format: Hardback
Length: 64 pages
Publication date: 28 October 2022
Publisher: New Directions Publishing Corporation

Early Light, a collection of short stories by Osamu Dazai, delves into three distinct facets of the author's brilliance. The title story, "Early Light," chronicles Dazai's misadventures as a drinker and a family man during the devastating fire bombings of Tokyo at the close of World War II. Having lost their own home, he and his wife flee with their newborn baby boy and their young daughter to relatives in Kofu, only to face another bombing. In the face of utter destruction, Dazai's father explains to his daughter the loss of their possessions, including Mr. Rabbit, their shoes, the Ogigari house, and the Chino house. Despite the devastation, the daughter remains resilient and smiles, acknowledging the loss.

Another autobiographical tale, "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji," presents a more comedic perspective. Dazai finds himself captivated by the famous views of Mount Fuji, once immortalized by Hokusai but now reduced to a cliche. However, his encounter with young girls who persistently demand his photo before the peak takes a humorous turn. He hisses through his teeth, expressing his frustration, before ultimately relenting and taking their photo. In a final act of defiance, he clicks the camera, bidding farewell to Mount Fuji.

The collection concludes with "Villon's Wife," a remarkable short story that explores the awakening of a drunkard's wife. She transforms herself into a formidable woman, unyielding to her husband's thievery, megalomania, and wastrelry. Single-handedly, she saves the day by concluding that there is nothing wrong with being a monster, as long as one can survive.

Through these stories, Early Light showcases Dazai's exceptional talent for capturing the complexities of human emotions, societal challenges, and the indomitable spirit of the human soul. The author's vivid prose and profound insights into the human condition continue to resonate with readers, making his works a timeless treasure of Japanese literature.

Weight: 258g
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780811231985