[DeepL Translation - needs review] A full-length novel by Shimazaki Toson, a literary figure active from the Meiji era to the early Showa era. Segawa Ushimatsu, a young teacher from a discriminated tribe, is admonished by his father to hide his origin, but after much anguish, he finally breaks this commandment. He finally breaks this commandment after much anguish. He shifts his creative field from poetry to novels, paving the way for the naturalistic literary movement in Japan. Soseki wrote...
This novel sheds light on an aspect of Japanese history and culture that I was not aware of. Some may have heard the surprising fact that merchants were considered the lowest class in the hierarchy in Edo society. However, that is a technicality born from the fact that there was a rank considered as subhuman and therefore not part of society. As the effects of this system continue even to the present day, this book felt both excellent in literary style and important for cultural understanding. A