[DeepL Translation - needs review] A creative essay by Ango Sakaguchi, a leading writer of the "Muyori-ha" school active in the early Showa period. First published in "DPJ Bunka" [1947]. In order to avoid being slandered as a "sentimental writer," he advised me to depict an "ideal woman" in my novels. However, he stressed that a novel is not an idea itself, and that artistry resides in its expansion and contraction beyond the author's intentions.
(Translator: DeepL)
I enjoyed this essay, although I don't think I parsed 100% of what he was trying to say. I wrote my thoughts on it in this year's Aozora Advent here: https://forums.learnnatively.com/t/2024-aozora-short-story-and-essay-advent/13035/102?u=cat
I'd like to revisit this some day when 坂口 isn't so challenging!