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Justice with a Smile
A powerful novel of self-discovery from the author of No Longer Human—now available in English!
Young Susumu is at a turning point. Should he continue his education or chase his dream of becoming Japan's most famous actor? And how can he succeed with his father dead, his mother bedridden and an older brother who is a dropout?
Based on the diary of a real-life actor, Susumu's dilemma becomes a uniquely powerful tale of teenage angst and survival. This novel, translated into English for the first time, explores the self-destructive dynamics that are a hallmark of Dazai's fiction, but from a different viewpoint—that of a bright eyed teenager.
The bold, contemporary translation by Michael Day delivers an unforgettable new protagonist for Dazai's many fans.
Young Susumu is at a turning point. Should he continue his education or chase his dream of becoming Japan's most famous actor? And how can he succeed with his father dead, his mother bedridden and an older brother who is a dropout?
Based on the diary of a real-life actor, Susumu's dilemma becomes a uniquely powerful tale of teenage angst and survival. This novel, translated into English for the first time, explores the self-destructive dynamics that are a hallmark of Dazai's fiction, but from a different viewpoint—that of a bright eyed teenager.
The bold, contemporary translation by Michael Day delivers an unforgettable new protagonist for Dazai's many fans.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1942
About the author
Osamu Dazai
1,344 books10.2k followersOsamu DAZAI (native name: 太宰治, real name Shūji Tsushima) was a Japanese author who is considered one of the foremost fiction writers of 20th-century Japan. A number of his most popular works, such as Shayō (The Setting Sun) and Ningen Shikkaku (No Longer Human), are considered modern-day classics in Japan.
With a semi-autobiographical style and transparency into his personal life, Dazai’s stories have intrigued the minds of many readers. His books also bring about awareness to a number of important topics such as human nature, mental illness, social relationships, and postwar Japan.
With a semi-autobiographical style and transparency into his personal life, Dazai’s stories have intrigued the minds of many readers. His books also bring about awareness to a number of important topics such as human nature, mental illness, social relationships, and postwar Japan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
May 14, 2026
A diary entries of a teenager about his life, family and aspiration to become an actor. Said to be inspired from a real life actor, this book felt very much Dazai and his cynicism and i like it for how unflinchingly honest the protagonist is
July 26, 2026
not my favorite osamu dazai book, but some parts felt like my diary was published without my permission. it had moments that were painfully familiar, like reading thoughts i never knew how to put into words.
October 3, 2025
I enjoyed the main character and I am glad there was a happy ending cause I thought it would be a sad ending
June 12, 2026
I personally loved this book. A few days prior, I had read Haruki Murakami’s “Men Without Women,” and it reminded me of “Drive My Car.” The only similarities really being the narrator’s careers in acting. Except, these two shared different reasons and idealizations about the art. It was really cool to make those connections.
I’ve fallen in love with Dazai’s writing style, especially after reading his notable works. In this piece, I kept forgetting that it wasn’t his own fictional story, but a retelling of his friend’s diary. I found it interesting that Dazai replaced his friend’s romanticism of Marxism with a devotion to Christianity and God. Dazai’s own novels reflect a dark, twisted philosophy that seems to be nihilistic or existential at times. I never would’ve taken him as a man who would respect religion. Unless Dostoevsky left an impression on him, I would’ve assumed he’d take up atheism.
I liked Susumu Serikawa’s character, it felt relatable to me as a teenager. The fear of failure, the dread of the unknown; it’s all captured beautifully in this piece. It reminds me of “Schoolgirl,” another book close to my heart.
“It wasn’t that I thought that I was handsome and everyone else was ugly. That’s ridiculous. If I were really that handsome, I wouldn’t care what other people looked like. I’d have a high tolerance for other people’s ugliness. The thing is that people like me, people who hate what they see in the mirror, can’t help noticing how other people look. I sympathize with other ugly people, thinking, What a drag it is to look like that. I can’t not notice” (Dazai, 52).
This quote genuinely shocked me. It was surprising to see someone blatantly confess a vice. It was impactful to see such vulnerability in this section. I remember that this is supposed to be a teenage boy’s diary, but not everyone will admit to a shameful quality. It made me relieved that everyone goes through periods of insecurity and doubt, that it’s not a sin to undergo human emotion.
I’ve fallen in love with Dazai’s writing style, especially after reading his notable works. In this piece, I kept forgetting that it wasn’t his own fictional story, but a retelling of his friend’s diary. I found it interesting that Dazai replaced his friend’s romanticism of Marxism with a devotion to Christianity and God. Dazai’s own novels reflect a dark, twisted philosophy that seems to be nihilistic or existential at times. I never would’ve taken him as a man who would respect religion. Unless Dostoevsky left an impression on him, I would’ve assumed he’d take up atheism.
I liked Susumu Serikawa’s character, it felt relatable to me as a teenager. The fear of failure, the dread of the unknown; it’s all captured beautifully in this piece. It reminds me of “Schoolgirl,” another book close to my heart.
“It wasn’t that I thought that I was handsome and everyone else was ugly. That’s ridiculous. If I were really that handsome, I wouldn’t care what other people looked like. I’d have a high tolerance for other people’s ugliness. The thing is that people like me, people who hate what they see in the mirror, can’t help noticing how other people look. I sympathize with other ugly people, thinking, What a drag it is to look like that. I can’t not notice” (Dazai, 52).
This quote genuinely shocked me. It was surprising to see someone blatantly confess a vice. It was impactful to see such vulnerability in this section. I remember that this is supposed to be a teenage boy’s diary, but not everyone will admit to a shameful quality. It made me relieved that everyone goes through periods of insecurity and doubt, that it’s not a sin to undergo human emotion.
May 25, 2026
[3.75 Stars]
“There’s nobody who doesn’t suffer. Smile while you fast.”
“Justice with a Smile” is a book that, quite frankly, deviates from Osamu Dazai’s known works—or so the majority say, since this is my first book from him. It is a biographical work based on the diary of a friend of Dazai who was a kabuki actor, though if I am correct, Dazai did tweak parts of it.
We follow a bright-eyed boy who, despite his attitude, is filled with hopes and dreams. He is not a stranger to thinking unpleasant things about the people around him, and yet he possesses a quality that is almost admirable. He has staggering self-esteem, but also strong self-efficacy. His inner monologues feel heavily influenced by Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and even Nietzsche. At times, he almost leans toward a Napoleonic self-perception similar to Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment if given the wrong push. The difference is that he is not nihilistic. In some ways, he almost feels like an anti-Raskolnikov.
He desires to be different and often views himself as above his peers, but time and time again he is met with humility and breaks down because of it. Yet somehow, he still manages to pick himself up the next day. He refuses to give in to normality. And he cares extremely for his family. He loved his brother and sister unconditionally and genuinely feels that he can conquer the extreme hardships of his family. What makes this even more compelling is that his motivations are not rooted solely in wanting to become an actor for the sake of fame or recognition. Rather, he sees acting as his final path and is driven by the desire to make people happy. He wants to give happiness to others. Similar to Raskolnikov, Susumu feels he is untouchable. A genuine confidence and grin of someone who feels he is above with pure intentions.
“Serving justice with a smile.”
Following this teenage boy as he develops and continues striving toward his vision almost feels like a testament to humanity itself: the ability to be beaten down repeatedly and yet never fully succumb to despair.
“The human race is pathetic, me included, but I wouldn’t let despair get the best of me.”
That being said, despite the sentiments and meaning I personally took from this book, I still feel that it lacked something powerful for me. The diary format—while I understand it is part of the artistic intent of the work—lessened some of the emotional heaviness. Instead of deeply immersing me emotionally, it felt more like a raw observation of a human life.
“There’s nobody who doesn’t suffer. Smile while you fast.”
“Justice with a Smile” is a book that, quite frankly, deviates from Osamu Dazai’s known works—or so the majority say, since this is my first book from him. It is a biographical work based on the diary of a friend of Dazai who was a kabuki actor, though if I am correct, Dazai did tweak parts of it.
We follow a bright-eyed boy who, despite his attitude, is filled with hopes and dreams. He is not a stranger to thinking unpleasant things about the people around him, and yet he possesses a quality that is almost admirable. He has staggering self-esteem, but also strong self-efficacy. His inner monologues feel heavily influenced by Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, and even Nietzsche. At times, he almost leans toward a Napoleonic self-perception similar to Raskolnikov from Crime and Punishment if given the wrong push. The difference is that he is not nihilistic. In some ways, he almost feels like an anti-Raskolnikov.
He desires to be different and often views himself as above his peers, but time and time again he is met with humility and breaks down because of it. Yet somehow, he still manages to pick himself up the next day. He refuses to give in to normality. And he cares extremely for his family. He loved his brother and sister unconditionally and genuinely feels that he can conquer the extreme hardships of his family. What makes this even more compelling is that his motivations are not rooted solely in wanting to become an actor for the sake of fame or recognition. Rather, he sees acting as his final path and is driven by the desire to make people happy. He wants to give happiness to others. Similar to Raskolnikov, Susumu feels he is untouchable. A genuine confidence and grin of someone who feels he is above with pure intentions.
“Serving justice with a smile.”
Following this teenage boy as he develops and continues striving toward his vision almost feels like a testament to humanity itself: the ability to be beaten down repeatedly and yet never fully succumb to despair.
“The human race is pathetic, me included, but I wouldn’t let despair get the best of me.”
That being said, despite the sentiments and meaning I personally took from this book, I still feel that it lacked something powerful for me. The diary format—while I understand it is part of the artistic intent of the work—lessened some of the emotional heaviness. Instead of deeply immersing me emotionally, it felt more like a raw observation of a human life.
July 28, 2026
3.5 and while I am trying to rate this book on its own merits, there are some bonkers things about the translation I need to address, see the last paragraph of this review.
Typical Dazai protagonist, a young man swinging wildly between hope and despair, between thinking himself the greatest and the dumbest, between swearing to study his ass off and immediately losing the will to do so. Sees himself as apart from the world in both a good way and a bad way. Honestly relatable.
The translator's note finds this story hopeful (in the vein of Dazai's better-known and more melancholy books I suppose) but I'm not sure. While it's true Susumu by the end is determined to stick out his [not especially well-earned] spot in a prestigious acting troupe even though he hates the daily grind but he knows there are little moments that make it worth it . . . every step in this book we've seen him more or less give up when things get even a little bit hard. So maybe he has really found the place where he will stick it out . . . or maybe he'll give up in another year.
OKAY. About the translation, touted on the back as a "bold contemporary" one. I liked the contemporary language for the most part, it made it very readable . . . however there is a fair amount of MODERN SLANG peppered throughout that was distracting and downright made me feel like I was losing my mind. Phrases like "sorry for roasting you" "this place is killing my vibe" "it was a dumpster fire of a day" "shoot your shot" took me RIGHT OUT. This book, like most of Dazai's books, are of a specific time and place, a strange time in Japan during and post WWII, and so I really disliked this choice.
I know this book is new to English-language literature, but I have not seen a single other person say anything about this and it really made me feel crazy.
Typical Dazai protagonist, a young man swinging wildly between hope and despair, between thinking himself the greatest and the dumbest, between swearing to study his ass off and immediately losing the will to do so. Sees himself as apart from the world in both a good way and a bad way. Honestly relatable.
The translator's note finds this story hopeful (in the vein of Dazai's better-known and more melancholy books I suppose) but I'm not sure. While it's true Susumu by the end is determined to stick out his [not especially well-earned] spot in a prestigious acting troupe even though he hates the daily grind but he knows there are little moments that make it worth it . . . every step in this book we've seen him more or less give up when things get even a little bit hard. So maybe he has really found the place where he will stick it out . . . or maybe he'll give up in another year.
OKAY. About the translation, touted on the back as a "bold contemporary" one. I liked the contemporary language for the most part, it made it very readable . . . however there is a fair amount of MODERN SLANG peppered throughout that was distracting and downright made me feel like I was losing my mind. Phrases like "sorry for roasting you" "this place is killing my vibe" "it was a dumpster fire of a day" "shoot your shot" took me RIGHT OUT. This book, like most of Dazai's books, are of a specific time and place, a strange time in Japan during and post WWII, and so I really disliked this choice.
I know this book is new to English-language literature, but I have not seen a single other person say anything about this and it really made me feel crazy.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
[ Thank you to Tuttle Books and edelweiss+ for the advanced copy ]
I am a huge fan of Dazai's work and have been thrilled that more of it is being translated (and even re-translated).
The diary format of Justice with a Smile is still very characteristic of Dazai's typical style. It is full of the familiar self-deprecation and somewhat manic excitement in the protagonist as we follow him at the end of his time in grade school and his entry into college and the arts. What I did enjoy in this story was how childish the protagonist is while still feeling as though he is so much smarter than everyone else. He isn't stupid, but he's blinded by his own attempts at intellectualism that he makes foolish mistakes like so may of us (myself included) make during the transition from youth to adulthood.
Sadly though, I was somewhat bored with this one the longer it went on, and found the translation majorly lacking. There were instances of modern phrases ("bro", "dumpster fire", etc.) that took me away from time period of the story (1940s) and even attempting to write out dialect from another prefecture as something that resembles the accent of a stereotypical English orphan kid in London took me out of the Tokyo setting entirely. I found myself questioning the translation choices more than I was focused on the story.
Being the Dazai fan that I am, it was disappointing to be let down by the translation and while I will always read anything that gets translated, I will be hesitant to purchase translations done by Michael Day based on Japanese literature.
I am a huge fan of Dazai's work and have been thrilled that more of it is being translated (and even re-translated).
The diary format of Justice with a Smile is still very characteristic of Dazai's typical style. It is full of the familiar self-deprecation and somewhat manic excitement in the protagonist as we follow him at the end of his time in grade school and his entry into college and the arts. What I did enjoy in this story was how childish the protagonist is while still feeling as though he is so much smarter than everyone else. He isn't stupid, but he's blinded by his own attempts at intellectualism that he makes foolish mistakes like so may of us (myself included) make during the transition from youth to adulthood.
Sadly though, I was somewhat bored with this one the longer it went on, and found the translation majorly lacking. There were instances of modern phrases ("bro", "dumpster fire", etc.) that took me away from time period of the story (1940s) and even attempting to write out dialect from another prefecture as something that resembles the accent of a stereotypical English orphan kid in London took me out of the Tokyo setting entirely. I found myself questioning the translation choices more than I was focused on the story.
Being the Dazai fan that I am, it was disappointing to be let down by the translation and while I will always read anything that gets translated, I will be hesitant to purchase translations done by Michael Day based on Japanese literature.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Carries more hopeful tones than his more famous masterpieces, it follows a story of Susumu (inspired by real life actor T) and his inner mythology youth..until a failure breaks him. I love how this book is told in diary format hence we can see the inner conflict, the self acceptance, the resignation slowly enters, and make their own stand. It breaks everything he told himself; breaking his arrogance, self assurance (a little bit too much on that). and he surely can succeed as an actor. Real life hits, and he realized..sometimes i need to be smeared to appear cleaner and brighter.
But can you blame him though? He bloomed a little early- at the wee age of 16 and convinced his frontal lobe os developed, thinking everyone else is miserable and he has so much to live for? Blessed the innocence (and ignorance). Luckily his sh*t hits the fan pretty early and it dawns that just because you’re struggling, you are not social. It concludes with acceptance and honestly, I love how fleeting the tone is.
But can you blame him though? He bloomed a little early- at the wee age of 16 and convinced his frontal lobe os developed, thinking everyone else is miserable and he has so much to live for? Blessed the innocence (and ignorance). Luckily his sh*t hits the fan pretty early and it dawns that just because you’re struggling, you are not social. It concludes with acceptance and honestly, I love how fleeting the tone is.
July 11, 2026
My favorite Dazai novel yet. Despite its innocuous diary-like presentation, with simple and colloquial prose designed to mimic that of a talented but contemptuous teenage actor, this novel is rich with storytelling gusto, strong narrative voice, and insight into the idealistic, self-destructive Japanese mind. Dazai's writing is intimate like no other; he wields ordinary language with such subtlety, conveying the harmonic overtones of delusional grandeur and slinking shadows of self-doubt in plain sentences that are truly befitting of a personal journal. The result is a narrator that leaps off the page, one that stays with you, a three-dimensionality you can relate to. I personally found myself struck by the narrator's relationship with his own ideals (or rather his rather vain infatuation with the aesthetic of the idealistic), his relationship to an imperfect but compassionate brother, and ultimately, his journey in overcoming himself in the arts scene as he seeks redemption and a brighter horizon.
October 29, 2025
Novel Justice with a Smile ini menghadirkan sisi lain dari Osamu Dazai, penulis legendaris Jepang di balik No Longer Human. Pada novel ini, dikisahkan tentang pencarian jati diri seorang remaja. Tokoh utamanya, Susumu, sedang bimbang, antara melanjutkan pendidikan atau mengejar mimpinya menjadi aktor paling terkenal di Jepang. Namun tanpa keberadaan ayah yang sudah meninggal, ibu yang sakit, dan kakak yang menyerah pada hidup, impiannya terasa jauh dari jangkauan. Berdasarkan kisah nyata dari buku harian seorang aktor muda, novel ini menggambarkan pergulatan batin, tekad, dan keinginan untuk bertahan di tengah tekanan sosial dan keluarga. Dazai menampilkan protagonis yang berbeda dari biasanya, seorang remaja penuh semangat yang berjuang menertawakan nasib di tengah keputusasaan. Inilah karya introspektif tentang mimpi, kegetiran hidup, dan keberanian untuk tetap tersenyum dalam menghadapi kenyataan. https://blog.periplus.com/2025/10/27/...
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I was somewhat surprised to be honest by this book - Osamu Dazai is known for writng rather nihlistic and morose novels such as the two classic canon texts No Longer Human and The Setting Sun, whereas this novel while still featuring a misanthropic and self hating narrator is if anything inspirational and even christian, with the protagonist Susumu winning over adversity and achieving his goals of becoming an actor through perseverance and belief in god. In deed regarding christianity, the narrator quotes verses from the bible a lot and the novel even starts off with a quotation of a hymn, a stark contrast to the very negative if anything ironic portrayal of the religion in his later works like per se no longer human where he states that he can "not believe in heaven but only in hell". I am not super religous but reading the book made me want to go to church. I wish this more hopeful version of Dazai was featured more to be honest.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
I picked this copy up at Readings in Carlton. While I am biased, and this is not one of his best, in the world of literature Dazai is always a Five star writer. There are some brief lapses in the novel (for example when the protagonist berates an aunt and the dialogue smacks of being contrived), but the beauty and clarity of his writing, combined with his deep and honest insight of the human plight is so far above the madding crowds. Read Dazai if you are prepared to face harsh realities. His prose reveals the view from an icy moutain top - it blasts all pretences away.
May 11, 2026
4/5 stars. Diary format and was rather gripping towards last 1/3 of the book and I couldn’t stop. Was really curious about main character growth. Finished the book in a flight in one-shot. Happy ending and rather optimistic ending given all the depressive moments throughout the plot. Don’t really understand why the title of the book is Justice With A Smile after reading till the end though. But still a very nicely paced book and main character was appealing.
June 10, 2026
I don’t know, i don’t feel anything towards this book. Maybe because i spent so much time finishing it. Almost 6 months? Well it’s too long. But after all, this book could give me a new perspective on self-destruction or nowadays people call it as ptsd? A mental disorder that affects someone after losing their important ones. A point of view of teenage who lost his purpose in life and faced the reality of the world alone.
June 13, 2026
Honestly just not my personal favorite. It feels wrong to admit but unfortunately whatever is happening in my life sometimes can affect how I enjoy books. Maybe a better word is how I interpret them.
It was still hopeful in lots of ways, Osamu Dazai is still a great author, I will be reading more of his books. I really like the hymn at the end.
It was still hopeful in lots of ways, Osamu Dazai is still a great author, I will be reading more of his books. I really like the hymn at the end.
May 14, 2026
honestly the most disappointing dazai ive read, doesnt have the feel that his writing usually does, while this could be a translation thing, the story didnt really appeal to me, and i hate the diary format in everything so
May 23, 2026
I was glad this book was short because there wasn’t much to grab onto. I would’ve given it three stars but the translator’s choices were really odd. This book was written in 1940s Japan and they use millenial and Gen Z slang throughout in the translation.
June 25, 2026
I thought all of Dazai’s novels were depressing, until I read this book. A surprisingly hopeful novel that dissects an inspiring actor’s youth as he navigates his religion and personal struggles. Overall, a pretty book.
August 10, 2026
"I've got to stay honest, stay tough and plow through. If I din't know something, I'll let everyone know. If I can't do smoething, I'll come out and say it.
Stop trying to impress people, and it turns out life is surprisingly simple. Atop this rock I will build a humble house."
Stop trying to impress people, and it turns out life is surprisingly simple. Atop this rock I will build a humble house."
December 10, 2025
agak kaget sama endingnya karena ngga sesuai tebakan gw (tapi lebih kaget lagi baca translator’s afterwordsnya)
Review of advance copy
About a self-opinionated teenager who judged other people harshly but always gave himself lots of excuses. Towards the end, he slowly changed for the better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2026
Wholesome and great
May 30, 2026
Dazai had such a miserably life, yet, his writing is so charming. Turn the negative into the positive. Or…?
June 4, 2026
Finally a semi hopeful ending
June 9, 2026
i’m not insanely WOWed by this text but hey it got me out’ve my reading funk !!
June 21, 2026
4 for the story, 3 for the translation. No try fav Dazai but still a lot to like.
July 12, 2026
young teen trying to become an actor with im going to kms hanging on the tip of his tongue after every minor inconvenience
July 26, 2026
this might be the best dazai translation i've read i had such a good time with this
August 2, 2026
Book supposedly written by a teenager that actually sounds like a teenager. The occasional bro is still off putting tho lol and “bossy much” was too much.
August 4, 2026
Absolutely loved it, Susumu’s journey was thrilling to follow and yet very depressing.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews