The Modern Novel

Biography

Osamu Dazai was born Tsushima Shuji in Kanagi in Aomori Prefecture in 1909. His father was the major landowner. Dazai was one of eleven children. As his mother was too weak to look after all her children, he lived with an aunt. He started writing early and, in 1943, went to Tokyo University to study French literature. At the same time, he started flirting with communism. It was also at this time, he made the first of several suicide attempts. His second attempt was with a geisha. She died, he survived. He tried again after being thrown out of university and failing to find a job and then later when he found his wife had had previous lovers. Suicide was naturally a key element in his work. His life settled down when he married Ishihara Michiko. He had a successful career as a writer before the War but his best-known work was produced after the War when he was critical both of his country and himself. This led him again to depression and he killed himself – successfully – in 1948.

Books about Osamu Dazai

James A. O’Brien: Dazai Osamu

Other links

Osamu Dazai
Osamu Dazai
Osamu Dazai: genius, but no saint
Dazai Osamu 1909–1948
Introduction Of Unshoji (Dazai’s hometown – there is a bit about him)