Osamu Dazai (1909--1948) was the pen name of Shuji Tsushima, the tenth of eleven children born to a wealthy landowner and politician in the far north of Japan. Dazai studied French literature at the University of Tokyo, but never received a degree. He first attracted attention in 1933 when magazines began to publish his work. Between 1930 and 1937, he made three suicide attempts, a subject he deals with in many of his short stories. Despite his troubled life and rebellious spirit, Dazai wrote in simple and colloquial style, conveying his personal torments through literature. Dazai's life ended early in a double suicide with a married lover.
Manga adaptation by
Chika Ito. Chika Ito was born in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, and has created many manga in her home country, including
Manga Carmilla Girls Only and
Keita's Oboko Diary. This is her first publication in English.
Translation by
Makiko Itoh. Itoh is the author of the
Just Bento cookbook series and has translated many Japanese works into English including
Zen Wisdom for the Anxious, and
Modern Japanese Ikebana. She writes regular columns on food for
The Japan Times.