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堕落論 [Darakuron]
昭和初期に活躍した「無頼派」の代表的作家である坂口安吾の評論。初出は「新潮」［1946（昭和21）年］。「日本文化史観」や「教祖の文学」と並ぶ、安吾の代表的評論。「半年のうちに世相は変った」という有名な書き出しを枕に、戦後直後の日本人が自らの本質をかえりみるためには、「堕落」こそが必要だ、と説いたことで世間を賑わせた。現在も賛否両論を集める、過激な評論作品。
322 pages, Paperback Bunko
First published January 1, 1946
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About the author
Ango Sakaguchi
615 books139 followersFrom Niigata, Sakaguchi (坂口安吾) was one of a group of young Japanese writers to rise to prominence in the years immediately following Japan's defeat in World War II. In 1946 he wrote his most famous essay, titled "Darakuron" ("On Decadence"), which examined the role of bushido during the war. It is widely argued that he saw postwar Japan as decadent, yet more truthful than a wartime Japan built on illusions like bushido.
Ango was born in 1906, and was the 12th child of 13. He was born in the middle of a Japan perpetually at war. His father was the president of the Niigata Shinbun (Newspaper), a politician, and a poet.
Ango wanted to be a writer at 16. He moved to Tokyo at 17, after hitting a teacher who caught him truanting. His father died from brain cancer the following year, leaving his family in massive debt. At 20, Ango taught for a year as a substitute teacher following secondary school. He became heavily involved in Buddhism and went to University to study Indian philosophy, graduating at the age of 25. Throughout his career as a student, Ango was very vocal in his opinions.
He wrote various works of literature after graduating, receiving praise from writers such as Makino Shin’ichi. His literary career started around the same time as Japan’s expansion into Manchuria. He met his wife to be, Yada Tsuseko, at 27. His mother died when he was 37, in the middle of World War II. He struggled for recognition as a writer for years before finally finding it with “A Personal View of Japanese Culture” in 1942, and again with “On Decadence” in 1946. That same year, the Emperor formally declared himself a human being, not a god. Ango had a child at 48 with his second wife, Kaji Michio. He died from a brain aneurysm at age 48 in 1955.
Ango was born in 1906, and was the 12th child of 13. He was born in the middle of a Japan perpetually at war. His father was the president of the Niigata Shinbun (Newspaper), a politician, and a poet.
Ango wanted to be a writer at 16. He moved to Tokyo at 17, after hitting a teacher who caught him truanting. His father died from brain cancer the following year, leaving his family in massive debt. At 20, Ango taught for a year as a substitute teacher following secondary school. He became heavily involved in Buddhism and went to University to study Indian philosophy, graduating at the age of 25. Throughout his career as a student, Ango was very vocal in his opinions.
He wrote various works of literature after graduating, receiving praise from writers such as Makino Shin’ichi. His literary career started around the same time as Japan’s expansion into Manchuria. He met his wife to be, Yada Tsuseko, at 27. His mother died when he was 37, in the middle of World War II. He struggled for recognition as a writer for years before finally finding it with “A Personal View of Japanese Culture” in 1942, and again with “On Decadence” in 1946. That same year, the Emperor formally declared himself a human being, not a god. Ango had a child at 48 with his second wife, Kaji Michio. He died from a brain aneurysm at age 48 in 1955.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 4, 2021
"To live, and to fall into decadence - that's the proper process. Is there any path to true human salvation outside of it?"
"Humans can never attain true freedom. The reasons? We live, we're destined to die, and we think."
"What is the attitude that people, humans, should adopt? In a word it is as simple as this: we must honestly acknowledge our desires and dislikes. When we like something, we should come right out and say so. When we love a woman we should let the world know. The conventions of polite society, the taboos on romance, the rules dictating the places of duty and emotion - we should strip ourselves of those fraudulent kimonos and stand with out naked hearts fully exposed."
"Decadence is, in and of itself, always a trifling, undesirable thing, but it does exhibit in an irrefutable manner a great truth about the human condition: each of us is alone. In other words, to be decadent is, always, to stand alone, to be abandoned by others, to be forsaken by parents. To be decadent is to accept a destiny where we have no choice but to stand on our own two feet."
"Humans can never attain true freedom. The reasons? We live, we're destined to die, and we think."
"What is the attitude that people, humans, should adopt? In a word it is as simple as this: we must honestly acknowledge our desires and dislikes. When we like something, we should come right out and say so. When we love a woman we should let the world know. The conventions of polite society, the taboos on romance, the rules dictating the places of duty and emotion - we should strip ourselves of those fraudulent kimonos and stand with out naked hearts fully exposed."
"Decadence is, in and of itself, always a trifling, undesirable thing, but it does exhibit in an irrefutable manner a great truth about the human condition: each of us is alone. In other words, to be decadent is, always, to stand alone, to be abandoned by others, to be forsaken by parents. To be decadent is to accept a destiny where we have no choice but to stand on our own two feet."
May 23, 2018
looks like i have to devote my life to Ango Sakaguchi now!
September 9, 2019
What about the end of the world tomorrow? He still want to eat curry pork ribs and rice.
March 17, 2022
This was the book that motivated me to get my shit together and continue learning Japanese. It is as universal to the human conditions as Man's Search for Meaning.
September 29, 2015
This is one of the best and most underrated political essays I have read. The only problem I noticed is that it will be hard for someone to fully understand its significance and meaning without knowing the context. The essay was written after World War 2 by Ango Sakaguchi to give hope to the Japanese people but many of the things said there are true for all of us, regardless of where we live.
You can find the English translation at nanjousachi.com
You can find the English translation at nanjousachi.com
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews