Shimazaki Toson
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Shimazaki Toson (島崎 藤村, 1872-1943) is a Japanese author of the Meiji and early Showa Eras.
Shimazaki's Literary History
Shimazaki's first published work was called Wakanashu (若菜集) and he was one of the primary writers who spurred the blossoming of Meiji Romanticism (明治浪漫主義).
Though he began as a poet, he quickly began to write novels. In 1906, he came out with Hakai (The Broken commandment) (破戒,hakai), which discussed the burakumin (部落), formerly known as eta. This book enjoyed great influence in Japan.
Since then, his concern turned to discussions of philosophy, and lifestyles. He established the Natural Tenet Literature in Japan (自然主義文学), and wrote an autobiography which was to be his final work.
Melancholy Inherited from Parents
Shimazaki often described his nature as "melancholy inherited from parents." His father and his oldest sister died from psychological conditions. (He modeled his book Before the Dawn (夜明け前,yoakemae) on his father, Masaki.)
Moreover, when he had extramarital relations between his niece, Komako (こま子), his second oldest brother concealed it. Shimazaki eventually learned the truth and he elaborated upon Before the Dawn in France, feeling the curse from lineage acutely. After it was exposed that Komako got pregnant, Shimazaki immediately fled France, abandoning his niece. <--does not make sense; if Toson had relations with Komako, and his brother hid it, who learned the truth? the father?--> you should concentrate on the subject...
Shimazaki's Works
His major works include:
- Wakanashu(若菜集)
- Hakai(破戒,hakai)(The Broken Commandment)
- Haru(春)
- Ie(家)
- Shinsei(新生)
- Before the Dawn(夜明け前,yoakemae)