Buraiha
Encyclopedia
The were a group of dissolute writers who expressed the aimlessness and identity crisis of post-World War II
Japan. While not comprising a true literary school, the Buraiha writers were linked together by a similar approach to subject matter and literary style. The main characters in works of the Buraiha feature anti-hero
es that are dissolute and aimless. Their work was based on criticism of the complete body of pre-war Japanese literature
as well as American social values that were introduced into the Japanese society with the occupation. Their work did not appeal to any one particular group, and their range was not well defined.
The term mainly applied to Ango Sakaguchi
, Osamu Dazai
and Sakunosuke Oda, however, it also often referred to others, such as Jun Ishikawa, Itō Sei, Jun Takami
, Tanaka Hidemitsu
and Kazuo Dan
. Further, according to Takeo Okuno, the group also included Miyoshi Jūrō and Taiko Hirabayashi.
Buraiha writers are sometimes referred to as the "decadents" in the west because of the decadent lifestyle they lead, spending time in bars, using narcotics, and having frequent sexual relationships. A prime example of this is Ango Sakaguchi
, who shocked the Japanese public by his publication of an essay entitled . This, according to one critic, "allowed the Japanese people, especially the youth of Japan, to redeem its sense of self and begin life in the postwar period."
The term "burai", which was bestowed on the group by conservative critics, literally meaning undependable, refers to someone whose behavior goes against traditional social conventions. Because of the subversive nature of their works, they were initially referred to as the after an Edo
-era literary movement, but the terms was replaced as less irreverent works became popular.
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
Japan. While not comprising a true literary school, the Buraiha writers were linked together by a similar approach to subject matter and literary style. The main characters in works of the Buraiha feature anti-hero
Anti-hero
In fiction, an antihero is generally considered to be a protagonist whose character is at least in some regards conspicuously contrary to that of the archetypal hero, and is in some instances its antithesis in which the character is generally useless at being a hero or heroine when they're...
es that are dissolute and aimless. Their work was based on criticism of the complete body of pre-war Japanese literature
Japanese literature
Early works of Japanese literature were heavily influenced by cultural contact with China and Chinese literature, often written in Classical Chinese. Indian literature also had an influence through the diffusion of Buddhism in Japan...
as well as American social values that were introduced into the Japanese society with the occupation. Their work did not appeal to any one particular group, and their range was not well defined.
The term mainly applied to Ango Sakaguchi
Ango Sakaguchi
was a Japanese novelist and essayist. His real name was Heigo Sakaguchi .-History:From Niigata, Sakaguchi was one of a group of young Japanese writers to rise to prominence in the years immediately following Japan's defeat in World War II...
, Osamu Dazai
Osamu Dazai
was a Japanese author who is considered one of the foremost fiction writers of 20th-century Japan.-Biography:-Early life:Dazai was born , the eighth surviving child of a wealthy landowner in Kanagi, a remote corner of Japan at the northern tip of Tōhoku in Aomori Prefecture...
and Sakunosuke Oda, however, it also often referred to others, such as Jun Ishikawa, Itō Sei, Jun Takami
Jun Takami
was the pen-name of a Japanese novelist and poet active in Shōwa period Japan. His real name was Takama Yoshio.-Early life:Jun Takami was born in Fukui city, Fukui Prefecture, as the illegitimate son of the prefecture's governor...
, Tanaka Hidemitsu
Tanaka Hidemitsu
was a novelist of the Buraiha genre in Showa period Japan. His name was also pronounced "Tanaka Eiko" on occasion.- Biography :Tanaka was born in the uptown Akasaka district of Tokyo, and was a graduate of Waseda University. While still a student, he was influenced by his newspaper journalist...
and Kazuo Dan
Kazuo Dan
was a noted Japanese novelist and poet.-Biography:Dan was born in Tanimura, Yamanashi Prefecture, to a family from Kyūshū. His father's work required frequent changes of residence, so Dan grew up with his grandparents in Yanagawa from age 6 onwards...
. Further, according to Takeo Okuno, the group also included Miyoshi Jūrō and Taiko Hirabayashi.
Buraiha writers are sometimes referred to as the "decadents" in the west because of the decadent lifestyle they lead, spending time in bars, using narcotics, and having frequent sexual relationships. A prime example of this is Ango Sakaguchi
Ango Sakaguchi
was a Japanese novelist and essayist. His real name was Heigo Sakaguchi .-History:From Niigata, Sakaguchi was one of a group of young Japanese writers to rise to prominence in the years immediately following Japan's defeat in World War II...
, who shocked the Japanese public by his publication of an essay entitled . This, according to one critic, "allowed the Japanese people, especially the youth of Japan, to redeem its sense of self and begin life in the postwar period."
The term "burai", which was bestowed on the group by conservative critics, literally meaning undependable, refers to someone whose behavior goes against traditional social conventions. Because of the subversive nature of their works, they were initially referred to as the after an Edo
Edo
, also romanized as Yedo or Yeddo, is the former name of the Japanese capital Tokyo, and was the seat of power for the Tokugawa shogunate which ruled Japan from 1603 to 1868...
-era literary movement, but the terms was replaced as less irreverent works became popular.