Title: Studies in the comic spirit in modern Japanese fiction
First published: 1998
Description: Unlike traditional Japanese literature, which has a rich tradition of comedy, modern Japanese literature (or at least the parts of it studied by literary critics) is commonly associated with a high seriousness of purpose. In this study, Joel R. Cohn analyzes works by three writers - Ibuse Masuji (1898-1993), Dazai Osamu (1909-1948), and Inoue Hisashi (1934- ), whose works constitute a relentless assault on the notion that comedy cannot be part of serious literature.
Subjects: Criticism and interpretation, Japanese fiction, History and criticism, Comic, The, in literature, Japanese fiction, history and criticism, Comic, the
People: Masuji Ibuse (1898-), Osamu Dazai (1909-1948), Hisashi Inoue
Time periods: Shōwa period, 1926-1989
LC classification: PL747.67.C64 C65 1998