📖 Natsume Sōseki

Natsume Sōseki, the author of classic works such as "I Am a Cat" and "Kusamakura," is revered as a "national literary giant." Despite enduring emotional trauma during his childhood, he dedicated himself to his studies, eventually becoming a teacher before embarking on a career as a novelist. Even while suffering from neurosis and gastric ulcers for a long time, he continued to write tirelessly, producing numerous immortal masterpieces. Natsume Sōseki drew on his own experiences as nourishment for his writing, and his works remain beloved by readers, passed down through generations. This article provides a detailed introduction to the life and character of this representative novelist of the Meiji era.

In his childhood, he was unable to receive the love of his parents and was even sent to be raised by others. He worked hard in his studies, specializing in English literature, and later became a teacher at Tokyo Imperial University. He then embarked on a career as a professional writer, publishing several classic works such as "I Am a Cat" (私は猫である), "Bunko" (少爺), and "Kokoro" (心). His portrait was chosen as the design for the 1,000 yen banknote issued from 1984 to 2019. As a literary giant of the Meiji period, he is honored with the title of "National Great Writer."