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Self Portraits: Stories
Libro usado en buenas condiciones, por su antiguedad podria contener señales normales de uso
230 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
About the author
Osamu Dazai
1,374 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 282 reviews
July 20, 2024
me on a good day minus the alcoholism
June 21, 2009
On the cover of my copy of this book is a blurb that says "A cult figure for Japan's disaffected youth" but let's just cut to the chase, Dazai was an asshole! Living off his wealthy family, he was a drunk, a drug addict, a womanizer, a fan of the suicide pact in which he survives but his partner in crime does not (oops!) - just the kind of guy you want to bring home to mother. He was also handsome, a snappy dresser and I'm guessing could ooze charm if he wanted to. It always seems to be like that...
But! Yes, it's a big "but", this guy could write some of the most beautiful, painful, funny stories. All the stories are more or less autobiographical and the translator gives a brief intro to each story explaining the events in Dazai's life that are relevant to the story at hand which allows you to see where he's "embellished" (though this isn't really necessary). The stories have a brutal honesty that one rarely sees - not a sticking to the facts kind of honesty (which isn't very interesting anyway) but an honesty in the response to the events. He frequently makes himself out to be the fool but it's not in that nauseatingly insecure way that most of us cop to. Not to say that he doesn't frequently show his insecurities. He's just very matter-of-fact about them. The stories are for the most part pretty straight-forward, nothing overly clever or tricky.
This collection covers his earliest work in 1933 to work from right before he died in 1948. The topics range from his youthful obsession in winning a prestigious writing prize to his later years in dealing with the day-to-day existence during the war. As one of those sappy animal-lovers, I did not think I would make it through "canis familiaris" in which he goes on and on about how much he hates dogs but let's just say as in most of these stories, he never makes himself look good.
Writing like this makes the rare good case for self-absorbed enfant-terrible assholes...
But! Yes, it's a big "but", this guy could write some of the most beautiful, painful, funny stories. All the stories are more or less autobiographical and the translator gives a brief intro to each story explaining the events in Dazai's life that are relevant to the story at hand which allows you to see where he's "embellished" (though this isn't really necessary). The stories have a brutal honesty that one rarely sees - not a sticking to the facts kind of honesty (which isn't very interesting anyway) but an honesty in the response to the events. He frequently makes himself out to be the fool but it's not in that nauseatingly insecure way that most of us cop to. Not to say that he doesn't frequently show his insecurities. He's just very matter-of-fact about them. The stories are for the most part pretty straight-forward, nothing overly clever or tricky.
This collection covers his earliest work in 1933 to work from right before he died in 1948. The topics range from his youthful obsession in winning a prestigious writing prize to his later years in dealing with the day-to-day existence during the war. As one of those sappy animal-lovers, I did not think I would make it through "canis familiaris" in which he goes on and on about how much he hates dogs but let's just say as in most of these stories, he never makes himself look good.
Writing like this makes the rare good case for self-absorbed enfant-terrible assholes...
October 15, 2024
he is my patrick bateman
October 8, 2014
Dazai's frail sunken chest and haunted handsome gaze says it all - dissolution, sickness, deep feeling, and beauty are authentic pathways through an inauthentic and decaying world.
Going into this I thought him a self-absorbed hedonist unconcerned with the heartbreak and death he left in his wake. Coming out of it I think of him as a self-absorbed hedonist who absorbed all the heartbreak and death in himself and the world at large and transformed them into simple and sensitive tales of epiphanies and transient beauties, while remaining eerily objective about his own sociopathic and self-destructive nature.
Dazai was a cool expert on suicide and an aesthete to the end.
Going into this I thought him a self-absorbed hedonist unconcerned with the heartbreak and death he left in his wake. Coming out of it I think of him as a self-absorbed hedonist who absorbed all the heartbreak and death in himself and the world at large and transformed them into simple and sensitive tales of epiphanies and transient beauties, while remaining eerily objective about his own sociopathic and self-destructive nature.
Dazai was a cool expert on suicide and an aesthete to the end.
May 9, 2024
"Art cannot order people around. Art dies the moment it acquires authority." (135)I was thrilled to discover that New Directions published a new collection of stories by Osamu Dazai, one of my favorite writers. I only worried that I would have already read most of the stories (I have been collecting anything I can find by/about Dazai in English for a while now). Here is a picture of my collection:
Anyway, this worry didn't, of course, prevent me from pre-ordering the collection, entitled Self-Portraits. To my joy, I had only read Early Light, which has previously been published by New Directions as a shiny, standalone volume. This meant that there were 17 new stories for me to read!
Some of the stories are quite similar in theme, which makes sense given that Dazai was taking material from his life and reflecting on it in different ways (e.g., his relationships with his brothers). The introduction does a good job of placing some of the stories within the life of Dazai—even though Dazai often does this quite explicitly within the stories themselves, more than any other writer I know.
In fact, I don't know of any writer whose art follows and comments upon their life as directly as Dazai's—all while still remaining art. In light of the writer's life, it creates the appearance (and often exposes the reality) of a brutal kind of honesty, self-awareness, and almost pathological self-reflection.
In Dazai's own words:
"I discovered that, for me, what might become art was not the scenery of Tokyo, but the 'I' inside the scenery. Had I been deluded by art? Had I deluded art? Conclusion: Art is 'I'." (166)
January 22, 2025
Self-Portraits - Osamu Dazai
"صور ذاتية: قصص". مجموعة قصصية لأوسامو دازاي (1909–1948)، جمعها وترجمها رالف مكارثي، وتضم مقدمة مدهشة للمترجم عن حياة الكاتب وتربط بين حياته وقصصه ورواياته.
مما جاء في وصف المجموعة:
"في هذه المجموعة يمكننا أن نرى مدى قرب حياة دازاي من فنِّه، والعكس صحيح. في قصص المجموعة يسقط الكاتب/الراوي ويفقد مكانته ويرتقي إلى الشهرة ثم يسقط مرة أخرى. لقد لازم الإدمان والديون والعار واليأس دازاي حتى وفاته..."
حياة دازاي كانت صعبة عمومًا، خاصة معاناته من الصغر من المرض النفسي والإدمان ومحاولات الانتحار المتكررة، وهنا نرى أنه مع كل عمل جديد يكتبه كان دازاي يمهد لرحيله؛ "شمس غاربة" نشرت في العام 1947م- يضم العمل بين طياته رسالة وداع حزينة، وكتب في العام 1948م "لم يعد إنسانًا"- بمكن اعتبارها كشكل من أشكال السيرة الذاتية ونشرت قبل وفاته بشهر تقريبًا، وقبل وفاته كان يكتب عملا بعنوان "وداعًا" ورحل قبل إكماله.
كل قصص المجموعة مدهشة-بعضها قرأتها مسبقًا لكن البقيّة جديدة عليّ وممتعة ويذهلني علاقتها كلها بأحداث من حياة دازاي، وجهد جبار من المترجم في توضيح هذا في المقدمة.
أرجو أن تُترجم المجموعة القصصية قريبًا إلى اللغة العربية .
"صور ذاتية: قصص". مجموعة قصصية لأوسامو دازاي (1909–1948)، جمعها وترجمها رالف مكارثي، وتضم مقدمة مدهشة للمترجم عن حياة الكاتب وتربط بين حياته وقصصه ورواياته.
مما جاء في وصف المجموعة:
"في هذه المجموعة يمكننا أن نرى مدى قرب حياة دازاي من فنِّه، والعكس صحيح. في قصص المجموعة يسقط الكاتب/الراوي ويفقد مكانته ويرتقي إلى الشهرة ثم يسقط مرة أخرى. لقد لازم الإدمان والديون والعار واليأس دازاي حتى وفاته..."
حياة دازاي كانت صعبة عمومًا، خاصة معاناته من الصغر من المرض النفسي والإدمان ومحاولات الانتحار المتكررة، وهنا نرى أنه مع كل عمل جديد يكتبه كان دازاي يمهد لرحيله؛ "شمس غاربة" نشرت في العام 1947م- يضم العمل بين طياته رسالة وداع حزينة، وكتب في العام 1948م "لم يعد إنسانًا"- بمكن اعتبارها كشكل من أشكال السيرة الذاتية ونشرت قبل وفاته بشهر تقريبًا، وقبل وفاته كان يكتب عملا بعنوان "وداعًا" ورحل قبل إكماله.
كل قصص المجموعة مدهشة-بعضها قرأتها مسبقًا لكن البقيّة جديدة عليّ وممتعة ويذهلني علاقتها كلها بأحداث من حياة دازاي، وجهد جبار من المترجم في توضيح هذا في المقدمة.
أرجو أن تُترجم المجموعة القصصية قريبًا إلى اللغة العربية .
February 19, 2008
Osamu Dazai is my favorite Japanese writer. And I love a lot of Japanese writers. In fact Dazai is my favorite writer period. And I like or love a lot of writers. Why I love Dazai is that he had a mess-up life and wrote about it with incredible charm and with a sense of humor. "Self Portraits" is a series of stories that are based on Dazai's life, but he changed it around to suit his purpose and of course to entertain the reader. The editor writes a brief intro to each story explaining what really took place - and it's fascinating to see how Dazai takes the 'truth' and bends it to take us somewhere else. As a writer I realized that our lives are interesting and we can use what we have done - but the art of it is to take it to another level. And Dazai has done that over and over again.
He's sort of the James Dean of literature. A true rebel and incredibly handsome, a hard drinker, drug addict, woman-chasing, and a good friend of the suicide gesture (and he die in a joint-suicide with a girlfriend). One of the greats and will always be a great to me. A ten star book!
He's sort of the James Dean of literature. A true rebel and incredibly handsome, a hard drinker, drug addict, woman-chasing, and a good friend of the suicide gesture (and he die in a joint-suicide with a girlfriend). One of the greats and will always be a great to me. A ten star book!
April 15, 2024
the dog chapter was crazy
October 25, 2024
"What a truly, truly hopeless man I am. There's nothing worthwhile about me. I'm a spoiled child when it comes to my hometown. When I come in contact with that hometown atmosphere, I grow limp, my selfishness gets the better of me, I lose all self-control. I become so useless that it's amazing even to me. My willpower goes out at the window, my brakes fail. My heart pounds frightfully, every joint in my body goes slack, and it becomes impossible for me to put on airs."
i feel that whenever i want to rate one of dazai's works, i am simply at a loss of words because i feel like he's already said everything. maybe i'll write a more coherent review later, but gosh. "thinking of zenzo" is my roman empire. at times i was genuinely convinced that the author and i share some kind of mind connection because how is he always able to state my exact thoughts and feelings so clearly... osamu dazai has such sardonic but equally hyperbolic/downright pathetic at times narration, that provokes such strong feelings within the reader, whether they like what he is writing about or not. and this peek into his actual life made me adore him even more as a writer.
i feel that whenever i want to rate one of dazai's works, i am simply at a loss of words because i feel like he's already said everything. maybe i'll write a more coherent review later, but gosh. "thinking of zenzo" is my roman empire. at times i was genuinely convinced that the author and i share some kind of mind connection because how is he always able to state my exact thoughts and feelings so clearly... osamu dazai has such sardonic but equally hyperbolic/downright pathetic at times narration, that provokes such strong feelings within the reader, whether they like what he is writing about or not. and this peek into his actual life made me adore him even more as a writer.
October 16, 2024
Self-Portraits is a collection of 18 semi-autobiographical short stories that show an even closer look at Dazai's life, compared to his other books. Each story emanates a profound sense of suffering and meek submission to fate, while still harboring a small voice of resistance deep within him. As for the content of each story, I have only praise and no complaints.
Dazai depicts his experiences in a way that mocks him and humiliates him, as if he's trying to prove that he really is a bad person unworthy of life. His writing style continues its usual themes of depression and suffering, but surprisingly enough, a few of these stories did show the hope that he had for a change in life, for something greater. I was really amazed by how well he's able to communicate his emotions and the things he's lived through, and every sentence felt real and raw.
My favorite stories out of the ones included are A Seascape with Figures in Gold, Canis Familiaris, Thinking of Zenzo, Eight Views of Tokyo, and Cherries.
Dazai depicts his experiences in a way that mocks him and humiliates him, as if he's trying to prove that he really is a bad person unworthy of life. His writing style continues its usual themes of depression and suffering, but surprisingly enough, a few of these stories did show the hope that he had for a change in life, for something greater. I was really amazed by how well he's able to communicate his emotions and the things he's lived through, and every sentence felt real and raw.
My favorite stories out of the ones included are A Seascape with Figures in Gold, Canis Familiaris, Thinking of Zenzo, Eight Views of Tokyo, and Cherries.
June 30, 2024
Že ko sem brala to knjigo, sem vedela, da jo bom prebrala še večkrat in zdaj, ko sem jo prebrala, bi se je lotila takoj še enkrat.
Je semi-avtobiografska knjiga kratkih zgodbic iz avtorjevega življenja, ampak moraš biti v pravem mood-u za branje tega. Ne smeš bit preveč vesel in dobre volje, pa ne spet preveč v drugem ekstremu. Dogaja se pred, med in po drugi svetovni vojni na Japonskem. Zelo dobro napisana knjiga in tudi prevedena, da odnesemo nekaj od japonske kulture. Kar je pa mene najbolj motilo je, da je zelo veliko omenjenih krajev in mest, vasi. Ker pa ne poznam vseh japonskih mest, vasi itd, sem težko sledila vsem selitvam in premikom, ki se dogajajo v zgodbah.
Zgodbe, ki so mi bile najbolj pri srcu so:
Canis familiaris
Thinking of Zenzo
Garden
Handsome Devils and Cigarettes
Cherries
res, res, res pomaga, če prebereš najprej the translators note, ker na kratko pove oziroma opiše, kaj se je dogajalo v avtorjevem življenju. Nek rough life story za uvod, da lažje slediš zgodbam potem.
Je semi-avtobiografska knjiga kratkih zgodbic iz avtorjevega življenja, ampak moraš biti v pravem mood-u za branje tega. Ne smeš bit preveč vesel in dobre volje, pa ne spet preveč v drugem ekstremu. Dogaja se pred, med in po drugi svetovni vojni na Japonskem. Zelo dobro napisana knjiga in tudi prevedena, da odnesemo nekaj od japonske kulture. Kar je pa mene najbolj motilo je, da je zelo veliko omenjenih krajev in mest, vasi. Ker pa ne poznam vseh japonskih mest, vasi itd, sem težko sledila vsem selitvam in premikom, ki se dogajajo v zgodbah.
Zgodbe, ki so mi bile najbolj pri srcu so:
Canis familiaris
Thinking of Zenzo
Garden
Handsome Devils and Cigarettes
Cherries
res, res, res pomaga, če prebereš najprej the translators note, ker na kratko pove oziroma opiše, kaj se je dogajalo v avtorjevem življenju. Nek rough life story za uvod, da lažje slediš zgodbam potem.
April 9, 2024
So engrossing and evocatively written. An autobiography in disguised as a collection of short stories that brought me to peek into the Dazai world; of that snapshots that followed the footsteps of his writings, thoughts and musings, on family, friendship, love and his day-to-day lifestyle. Love those glimpses of traditional Japan and its culture he brought me to uncover, a little perspective through the pre and post WWII as well that vignettes of his fav writers and literature talks during his years of living.
I like the hue of sincerity in his words, the intimacy of his thoughts giving me a range of emotions esp when he talked about his family and both of his brothers, Keiji and Bunji. His perspective towards love and relationship can be quite daunting, might be triggering too as most of his narrative on suicide attempts were narrated in a scene involving these love affairs; of flaws and morality madness, and it breaks me in a way everytime when he mentioned about his suicidal thoughts in between his tales.
“I wrote for all I was worth. When there was rice left over in the boardinghouse pot after dinner, I'd stealthily scoop it up and pat it into rice balls in case I got hungry working late into the night. I wasn't writing suicide notes now: I was writing in order to live.”
“Life is an awful ordeal. So many chains to bind you. Try to move an inch and the blood comes spurting out. I could think of nothing but suicide.”
Appreciate the translator’s intro in providing me much infos about Dazai and the backstory of how or when each ‘self-portrait’ was written; some might sound fictional yet how it was bent and shaped from Dazai’s reality giving me that vivid enjoyment in reading these anecdotes of him.
Thank you Pansing Distribution for the gifted review copy!
I like the hue of sincerity in his words, the intimacy of his thoughts giving me a range of emotions esp when he talked about his family and both of his brothers, Keiji and Bunji. His perspective towards love and relationship can be quite daunting, might be triggering too as most of his narrative on suicide attempts were narrated in a scene involving these love affairs; of flaws and morality madness, and it breaks me in a way everytime when he mentioned about his suicidal thoughts in between his tales.
“I wrote for all I was worth. When there was rice left over in the boardinghouse pot after dinner, I'd stealthily scoop it up and pat it into rice balls in case I got hungry working late into the night. I wasn't writing suicide notes now: I was writing in order to live.”
“Life is an awful ordeal. So many chains to bind you. Try to move an inch and the blood comes spurting out. I could think of nothing but suicide.”
Appreciate the translator’s intro in providing me much infos about Dazai and the backstory of how or when each ‘self-portrait’ was written; some might sound fictional yet how it was bent and shaped from Dazai’s reality giving me that vivid enjoyment in reading these anecdotes of him.
Thank you Pansing Distribution for the gifted review copy!
April 8, 2024
"I have nothing worth boasting about. No learning to speak of. No talent. My body's a mess, my heart impoverished. Only the fact I've known suffering."
"A lot of people have written me off as a spoiled, selfish child, but how many really know how I've suffered inside?"
"The parent is more important than the child."
RIP Dazai you would have loved My Alcoholic Friends by The Dresden Dolls
Wow. I feel like Self-Portraits has given me a much deeper glimpse into Dazai's actual life and has also made some things from his other book "No Longer Human" much more clearer/able to connect with it on a deeper level.
In this, he goes much more into his family life/ relationships with his family members, his public image, his alcohol addiction, and self confidence. I love to read Dazai's works (really?? no way!!) and this book has become a high ranking piece from him.
His view on others around him and his need to try and become as equal as he can or even better is shown multiple times, but each time he comes to the conclusion that he will forever be different. Also the ending was just wow.
It was towards the middle and end that I really started to be able to relate and see certain things in myself that was materialized on the page.
"A lot of people have written me off as a spoiled, selfish child, but how many really know how I've suffered inside?"
"The parent is more important than the child."
RIP Dazai you would have loved My Alcoholic Friends by The Dresden Dolls
Wow. I feel like Self-Portraits has given me a much deeper glimpse into Dazai's actual life and has also made some things from his other book "No Longer Human" much more clearer/able to connect with it on a deeper level.
In this, he goes much more into his family life/ relationships with his family members, his public image, his alcohol addiction, and self confidence. I love to read Dazai's works (really?? no way!!) and this book has become a high ranking piece from him.
His view on others around him and his need to try and become as equal as he can or even better is shown multiple times, but each time he comes to the conclusion that he will forever be different. Also the ending was just wow.
It was towards the middle and end that I really started to be able to relate and see certain things in myself that was materialized on the page.
May 11, 2024
If you’ve read one of Dazai’s work, you’ve read them all.
June 20, 2024
"Had I been deluded by art? Had I deluded art? Conclusion: Art is 'I'."
This appears to be the unifying phrase under which all of those short stories were gathered. I enjoyed many of them, surprisingly, some were among the funniest pieces of literature I've ever read. I think I never once stopped smiling during Canis familiaris (maybe once, when he tried to poison the dog, man)
"This whiskey contains the life-spirit of a twenty-six-year-old virgin. I'll bet drinking it will give my novel a really erotic sort of luster."
However, as you may imagine, it wasn't all fun and giggles. Dazai was troubled and felt as though he were playing "the sad, servile role of one who must inevitably lose." Nevertheless, he left behind a wealth of literary merit. His writing style resonated deeply with me, which is why I found the strength to endure One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji. If your knowledge of Dazai is limited to his numerous suicide attempts, this collection offers a tangible glimpse into the real person behind all that darkness and pain. I recommend reading the translator's introduction, as it provides essential context for understanding these brief glimpses into Dazai's life.
Unfortunately, I find myself unable to eloquently articulate my thoughts on this book at the moment. Perhaps I'll revisit this review in the future, or maybe it will slip from my mind altogether.
This appears to be the unifying phrase under which all of those short stories were gathered. I enjoyed many of them, surprisingly, some were among the funniest pieces of literature I've ever read. I think I never once stopped smiling during Canis familiaris (maybe once, when he tried to poison the dog, man)
"This whiskey contains the life-spirit of a twenty-six-year-old virgin. I'll bet drinking it will give my novel a really erotic sort of luster."
However, as you may imagine, it wasn't all fun and giggles. Dazai was troubled and felt as though he were playing "the sad, servile role of one who must inevitably lose." Nevertheless, he left behind a wealth of literary merit. His writing style resonated deeply with me, which is why I found the strength to endure One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji. If your knowledge of Dazai is limited to his numerous suicide attempts, this collection offers a tangible glimpse into the real person behind all that darkness and pain. I recommend reading the translator's introduction, as it provides essential context for understanding these brief glimpses into Dazai's life.
Unfortunately, I find myself unable to eloquently articulate my thoughts on this book at the moment. Perhaps I'll revisit this review in the future, or maybe it will slip from my mind altogether.
December 11, 2024
I've translated four books by Dazai, and this is the best one by far — his short stories seem way more compelling than his novels: he's a real master of the craft.
Why this collection is only translated in English, I do not know (nor understand). What a prodigious achievement.
Why this collection is only translated in English, I do not know (nor understand). What a prodigious achievement.
December 29, 2024
“To deceive someone who trusts you is to enter a hell that can take you to the brink of madness.”
“People do not necessarily think and consider in a prescribed way before choosing the path they'll walk. For the most part they simply wander, at some point, into a different meadow.”
“Young men, if ever the one you love bursts out laughing the moment she sees you, you are to be congratulated.”
This is a hauntingly introspective collection that blurs the line between fiction and memoir, offering readers a window into the author’s complex psyche. This book feels deeply personal, as if Dazai is holding nothing back, laying bare his struggles with identity, alienation, and despair. Each piece is infused with a raw vulnerability that makes it impossible to look away, even when the subject matter becomes heavy.
What makes this collection so compelling is Dazai’s ability to channel his inner turmoil into artful prose. His writing is sharp, self-aware, and unflinchingly honest, yet it’s laced with a dark humor that provides moments of levity amidst the existential weight. Through his self-portraits, Dazai examines the human condition with a mix of cynicism and empathy, leaving readers with a lingering sense of melancholy and understanding.
The recurring themes of alienation and self-doubt make this a challenging read at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Dazai's reflections feel timeless and relatable, especially for anyone who has ever wrestled with their sense of self or felt out of place in the world.
While some entries resonate more strongly than others, the overall impact of the collection is profound. It’s not just a glimpse into Dazai’s mind—it’s an exploration of the human soul at its most fragile and resilient.
For fans of introspective literature and existential musings, Self-Portraits is an unforgettable journey through the thoughts of one of Japan’s most enigmatic authors. Dazai’s voice is both haunting and beautiful, and this collection is a testament to his literary brilliance.
“People do not necessarily think and consider in a prescribed way before choosing the path they'll walk. For the most part they simply wander, at some point, into a different meadow.”
“Young men, if ever the one you love bursts out laughing the moment she sees you, you are to be congratulated.”
This is a hauntingly introspective collection that blurs the line between fiction and memoir, offering readers a window into the author’s complex psyche. This book feels deeply personal, as if Dazai is holding nothing back, laying bare his struggles with identity, alienation, and despair. Each piece is infused with a raw vulnerability that makes it impossible to look away, even when the subject matter becomes heavy.
What makes this collection so compelling is Dazai’s ability to channel his inner turmoil into artful prose. His writing is sharp, self-aware, and unflinchingly honest, yet it’s laced with a dark humor that provides moments of levity amidst the existential weight. Through his self-portraits, Dazai examines the human condition with a mix of cynicism and empathy, leaving readers with a lingering sense of melancholy and understanding.
The recurring themes of alienation and self-doubt make this a challenging read at times, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Dazai's reflections feel timeless and relatable, especially for anyone who has ever wrestled with their sense of self or felt out of place in the world.
While some entries resonate more strongly than others, the overall impact of the collection is profound. It’s not just a glimpse into Dazai’s mind—it’s an exploration of the human soul at its most fragile and resilient.
For fans of introspective literature and existential musings, Self-Portraits is an unforgettable journey through the thoughts of one of Japan’s most enigmatic authors. Dazai’s voice is both haunting and beautiful, and this collection is a testament to his literary brilliance.
April 22, 2017
(I just wrote this long and loving review of this collection of essays and stories while sitting at a cafe in Hirakatashi, Japan, but unfortunately there was a small earthquake halfway through writing. Not realizing it had disrupted the wifi, I hit submit--- and lost all those careful words I chose! And I am lazy, so instead--- a very brief and hasty review)
This collection has what you'd anticipate from Dazai; many autobiographical essays with masochistic angles where Dazai self-deprecates into some existential hole, dragging the reader, willing or not, into the depths along with him.
But there is also comedy in many of these writings, a comedy which Dazai himself did not recognize until after they'd been composed. Being a self-obsessed, suicidal person who'd had a decade of opium addiction and a lifetime of alcoholism, Dazai is, for all his earnest sorrows, also an eccentric neurotic, who at times finds tragedy and horror in things which, only through writing about them, does he uncover for himself their silliness. It's a genuine humor, which is truly rare in literature, and even if this collection where only those couple of inane, hilarious stories I would still say it's worth purchasing.
If you've only time for one, read through "Canis Familiaris." It will have you absolutely dying, I guarantee it; for myself, that memoir/essay is the funniest of those mediums I have ever read.
There's really everything within this collection, and it paints a better chronology of Dazai's life than any biography could construe. Dazai was perhaps too hard on himself, but there is certainly honesty in all of his writing, particularly the honesty which paints himself the villain. And yet, he is still loved by so many,and this collection reveals how the selfish and self-destructive can remain within the glow of adored and admired.
Read it!
This collection has what you'd anticipate from Dazai; many autobiographical essays with masochistic angles where Dazai self-deprecates into some existential hole, dragging the reader, willing or not, into the depths along with him.
But there is also comedy in many of these writings, a comedy which Dazai himself did not recognize until after they'd been composed. Being a self-obsessed, suicidal person who'd had a decade of opium addiction and a lifetime of alcoholism, Dazai is, for all his earnest sorrows, also an eccentric neurotic, who at times finds tragedy and horror in things which, only through writing about them, does he uncover for himself their silliness. It's a genuine humor, which is truly rare in literature, and even if this collection where only those couple of inane, hilarious stories I would still say it's worth purchasing.
If you've only time for one, read through "Canis Familiaris." It will have you absolutely dying, I guarantee it; for myself, that memoir/essay is the funniest of those mediums I have ever read.
There's really everything within this collection, and it paints a better chronology of Dazai's life than any biography could construe. Dazai was perhaps too hard on himself, but there is certainly honesty in all of his writing, particularly the honesty which paints himself the villain. And yet, he is still loved by so many,and this collection reveals how the selfish and self-destructive can remain within the glow of adored and admired.
Read it!
October 17, 2019
“Art cannot order people around. Art dies the moment it acquires authority.”
3.5/5
Ah, what can I say? This is probably the 8th , 9th book I’ve read by Osamu Dazai? The 20th, 30th story? He’s just a great vignette story teller. Self-portraits is a collection of the stories (compiled and translated by Ralph McCarthy) Dazai wrote during various periods of his life. The title does the collection justice as they help illustrate an image of the author as well as life in Japan from 1930-40. I didn’t like every story, but there is a reason why I enjoy Dazai’s works in general. Despite his life and his confessional style of writing, I find there is a sincere and genuine person emerging in his stories. He’s not afraid of dissecting himself in his own stories. He laments his behaviour and shy nature, but I honestly found that he displays a tremendous amount of courage to be quite forthright about his life and person.
Review Continued Here
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February 25, 2025He was a liar and a scoundrel and a menace to the people in his life but most importantly he's oomf❤️ what if the gap between yourself and other people was a yawning chasm that you were never able to cross because youre beyond redemption and when you do have moments of true connection it makes you weak in the knees and even if you prostrated yourself before god you think you would find a way to commit some evil deed. Me when im in a shame competition and my opponent is dazai osamu
"Taking a seat on the veranda, puffing at my cigarette, I felt not a little contented. God exists. Surely He exists.
Green pastures are where you find them. Behold the fruits of nonresistance. I considered myself a fortunate man. They say to experience sorrow at any price. That the blue sky is most beautiful when seen through a prison cell window. And so on. I gave thanks. And for a moment, this thought flashed through my mind: As long as these roses are living, I am king of my own heart."
"Taking a seat on the veranda, puffing at my cigarette, I felt not a little contented. God exists. Surely He exists.
Green pastures are where you find them. Behold the fruits of nonresistance. I considered myself a fortunate man. They say to experience sorrow at any price. That the blue sky is most beautiful when seen through a prison cell window. And so on. I gave thanks. And for a moment, this thought flashed through my mind: As long as these roses are living, I am king of my own heart."
March 27, 2025
This was such a wild ride.
I think I may have enjoyed this more than No Longer Human NGL. At least upon initial read.
Dazai’s worldview is always so delightfully bleak and I hate how relatable he is despite the misogyny. I mentioned this before but I think his particular type of hatred towards women is so fascinating since it does not come from a place of like sexuality necessarily as much as it is Dazai’s own self loathing and reflective image that makes him so volatile towards anything that could bring him joy or be used as an indulgence.
Even his hatred of dogs and Mt. Fuji comes from conflicting comforts and pain those objects provide.
Truly Fascinating to read from.
I think I may have enjoyed this more than No Longer Human NGL. At least upon initial read.
Dazai’s worldview is always so delightfully bleak and I hate how relatable he is despite the misogyny. I mentioned this before but I think his particular type of hatred towards women is so fascinating since it does not come from a place of like sexuality necessarily as much as it is Dazai’s own self loathing and reflective image that makes him so volatile towards anything that could bring him joy or be used as an indulgence.
Even his hatred of dogs and Mt. Fuji comes from conflicting comforts and pain those objects provide.
Truly Fascinating to read from.
June 25, 2026
It really breaks my heart that yes, we see the suffering, pain, the constant self hatred and destruction, the evil he does to others, that even then there’s still these moments of goodness and beauty that shine through in him, alongside the moments where a simple, pure act of unconditional love is enough to make him emotional, cry, or feel an overwhelming joy that goes away too fast.
He says it about others in this book, but it applies to himself all the same, maybe there is at least a splinter of the divine in all of us. I’ve finished three more Dazai books recently, including this one, what a tragic yet wonderful soul…
Quotes I love but I think explain the rant above:
“Angels dance in the sky, God wills their wings to van-ish, and they fall gently, like parachutes, to every corner of the earth. I landed in the snow up north, you in a citrus grove down south, and these boys in Ueno Park. That's the only difference between us. Grow up straight and true, boys, and remember: Don't let your looks concern you, don't smoke cigarettes, don't drink except on special occasions, and find yourself a shy, moderately stylish girl, and fall in love for a long, long time.”
Idky but this reminded me of Alyosha’s speech to the boys at the end of karamazov telling them to make fond and beautiful memories with each other, as one day in the future it could be what prevents them from doing something tragic… nonetheless I’ll continue:
“ My ruse would eventually be exposed, of course, but I wanted to maintain the illusion of peace and harmony even one day, even one moment, longer.”
“Everyone else, too, treated me with compassion. "Thank goodness, thank goodness," they said. I was dumbfounded, amazed at the kindness of people. My eldest brother was also waiting for me, having rushed to Tokyo. He berated me roundly, but Ifelt an overwhelming affection for him. I don't think I'd ever experienced such wondrous feelings before.”
“I was grateful to her for those words. This may be overstating it a bit, but to me her concern seemed the purest…form of support and encouragement for one making every effort to go on living. She expected nothing in return. I thought her quite beautiful.”
“The sun didn't come into this world with that unsightly, embarrassed smile he wears at dusk. He arrived plump and round, bursting with innocent enthusiasm and the conviction that his every desire would be ful-filled; there was a glorious time when he blazed a lazy, carefree trail across the heavens. He's a weakling now. but he wasn't born that way. Awareness of evil - the evil in himself- has weakened him.”
“I'd love nothing better than to please you and the children by moving into a somewhat nicer house, but it's just not within my reach. I'm doing my utmost as it is. I'm not some cold, brutal demon.”
“Ah, life is an awful proposition. It's especially hard, and sad, for a man. A man has no choice but to fight. And he must win.”
He says it about others in this book, but it applies to himself all the same, maybe there is at least a splinter of the divine in all of us. I’ve finished three more Dazai books recently, including this one, what a tragic yet wonderful soul…
Quotes I love but I think explain the rant above:
“Angels dance in the sky, God wills their wings to van-ish, and they fall gently, like parachutes, to every corner of the earth. I landed in the snow up north, you in a citrus grove down south, and these boys in Ueno Park. That's the only difference between us. Grow up straight and true, boys, and remember: Don't let your looks concern you, don't smoke cigarettes, don't drink except on special occasions, and find yourself a shy, moderately stylish girl, and fall in love for a long, long time.”
Idky but this reminded me of Alyosha’s speech to the boys at the end of karamazov telling them to make fond and beautiful memories with each other, as one day in the future it could be what prevents them from doing something tragic… nonetheless I’ll continue:
“ My ruse would eventually be exposed, of course, but I wanted to maintain the illusion of peace and harmony even one day, even one moment, longer.”
“Everyone else, too, treated me with compassion. "Thank goodness, thank goodness," they said. I was dumbfounded, amazed at the kindness of people. My eldest brother was also waiting for me, having rushed to Tokyo. He berated me roundly, but Ifelt an overwhelming affection for him. I don't think I'd ever experienced such wondrous feelings before.”
“I was grateful to her for those words. This may be overstating it a bit, but to me her concern seemed the purest…form of support and encouragement for one making every effort to go on living. She expected nothing in return. I thought her quite beautiful.”
“The sun didn't come into this world with that unsightly, embarrassed smile he wears at dusk. He arrived plump and round, bursting with innocent enthusiasm and the conviction that his every desire would be ful-filled; there was a glorious time when he blazed a lazy, carefree trail across the heavens. He's a weakling now. but he wasn't born that way. Awareness of evil - the evil in himself- has weakened him.”
“I'd love nothing better than to please you and the children by moving into a somewhat nicer house, but it's just not within my reach. I'm doing my utmost as it is. I'm not some cold, brutal demon.”
“Ah, life is an awful proposition. It's especially hard, and sad, for a man. A man has no choice but to fight. And he must win.”
June 22, 2014
Translated by Ralph F. McCarthy, Self Portraits: Tales from the life of Japan's great decadent romantic comprises 18 short stories by Osamu Dazai. The long introduction by the translator provides a useful biographical context for the stories. Dazai wrote a form of biographical fiction, which amounted to a light fictionalization of his actual life. The life was certainly decadent. Born into a wealthy and politically influential family, Dazai left his class by marrying a young geisha. He forsook his university education in order to be a writer. He had romantic liaisons with many women. He was addicted to drugs and alcohol. He tried committing double suicides with his lovers, and finally killed himself at the age of 39.
The Tales are, however, not romantic with a capital R; they do not seek transcendence of the mundane. Instead, they are wistful, even comical in places, full of consciousness, and self-consciousness, of life's suffering. They are non-resistant to life. "Cherries," the final story of the collection, is particularly self-lacerating. The shorter stories, such as "Female," "Seascape with Figures in Gold," "A Promise Fulfilled," are shapely and striking. The longer stories are ambitious and complex. His famous "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji, " though not quite providing the number of views promised in the title, gave a variety of fresh expression of the beauty and meaning of this touristy icon. Not least among these views is a view of art, an ars poetica:
The Tales are, however, not romantic with a capital R; they do not seek transcendence of the mundane. Instead, they are wistful, even comical in places, full of consciousness, and self-consciousness, of life's suffering. They are non-resistant to life. "Cherries," the final story of the collection, is particularly self-lacerating. The shorter stories, such as "Female," "Seascape with Figures in Gold," "A Promise Fulfilled," are shapely and striking. The longer stories are ambitious and complex. His famous "One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji, " though not quite providing the number of views promised in the title, gave a variety of fresh expression of the beauty and meaning of this touristy icon. Not least among these views is a view of art, an ars poetica:
To take what is simple and natural--and therefore succinct and lucid--to snatch hold of that and transfer it directly to paper, was, it seemed to me, everything, and that thought sometimes allowed me to see the figure of Fuji in a different light. Perhaps, I would think, that shape was in fact a manifestation of the beauty of what I like to think of as "elemental expression." Thus I'd find myself on the verge of coming to an understanding with this Fuji, only to reflect that, no, there was something about it, something in its exceedingly cylindrical simplicity that was too much for me, that if this Fuji was worthy of praise, then sow ere figurines of the Laughing Buddha--and I find figurines of the Laughing Buddha insufferable, certainly not what anyone could call expressive. And the figure of this Fuji, too, was somehow mistaken, somehow wrong, I would think, and once again I'd be back where I started, confused.
April 30, 2024
Self-Portraits was aptly titled for this autobiography masked as collection of short stories because in this book, Dazai bared all of his own deeper, dark thoughts, his troubled foolish behaviours, self-absorbing, devilish, impudent man he was. Yes, he was not the greatest character ever, while reading this you saw for how terrible he was as a man, a writer, a husband and a father. Yet, these exact rawness he portrayed in these stories make him a human as flawed as he was, as insufferable and ridiculous he was. At core, we all had our own misguided judgement of ourselves and Dazai seems to have the worst of it since he barely recognize himself as a talented author, he constantly disparaged his own foolishness, his addictions to alcohol, weak attitude and low self esteem and its disheartening to say the least, to read these disturbing thoughts being spoken so loudly throughout the stories.
Few of the stories in here, One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji and Eight Views of Tokyo are possibly the real life reflections of his own life that reminiscent a lot of what No Longer Human is and this time around, its the exact situation he went through. After reading it, I felt hollow and so much sorrow.
Thank you Definitely Books and Pansing distribution for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
Few of the stories in here, One Hundred Views of Mount Fuji and Eight Views of Tokyo are possibly the real life reflections of his own life that reminiscent a lot of what No Longer Human is and this time around, its the exact situation he went through. After reading it, I felt hollow and so much sorrow.
Thank you Definitely Books and Pansing distribution for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.
May 17, 2024
Review is coming up just finished sos
August 4, 2026
At the start of Thinking of Zenzo, he writes:
Just when my heart starts to well up, he continues:
And then
I laughed out loud so many times when reading this book but it was at this exact line that I told my husband "wow his mind switches modes so fast, I think he's a Gemini." I say this as a Gemini myself. I find him rather relatable. Smart but insufferable. Funny but mean-spirited.
AND WHEN I GOOGLED IT HE'S REALLY A GEMINI!!! 19 JUNE!!! HAHA
Anyway this guy is certified insane, but you can tell that he was extremely sensitive and passionate, and however much he loved the world, he hated it twice as much. He's an evil asshole and he knows it. He suffers from his own doing, his self-awareness and self-deprecation. He has so much to give to the world, but he doesn't know how; all these intense emotions are pent-up in him and the human body can only hold so much. If he lived today he would definitely be on anti-depressants.
I enjoyed every single piece from this collection of autofictional stories. I first read No Longer Human almost 20 years ago, when I was still at an impressionable age, and it laid the foundation to my core character, along with Pessoa's The Book of Disquiet. I treasure them very much and still keep both copies on a corner of my bookshelf. This one's joining the ranks of them.
Sunrise is the child of sunset. Without the setting sun, dawn could never be born. Sunset is always trying to tell us this: "I've grown weary. You mustn't stare at me so. You mustn't love me. I am not long for this world. But tomorrow morning, in the eastern sky, a new sun will be born. Promise me you will be his friends and companion. I've brought him up with tender care. He's a fine, healthy child — so plump and round."
Just when my heart starts to well up, he continues:
When sunset makes this appeal to you, my friends, can you revile him with a mocking sneer, calling him sick or decadent? The bully who steps boldly forward with folded arms and a ready "Of course I can" is the biggest asshole alive. Fools like you just make this world all the harder to live in.
And then
Forgive me. That was uncalled for.
I laughed out loud so many times when reading this book but it was at this exact line that I told my husband "wow his mind switches modes so fast, I think he's a Gemini." I say this as a Gemini myself. I find him rather relatable. Smart but insufferable. Funny but mean-spirited.
AND WHEN I GOOGLED IT HE'S REALLY A GEMINI!!! 19 JUNE!!! HAHA
Anyway this guy is certified insane, but you can tell that he was extremely sensitive and passionate, and however much he loved the world, he hated it twice as much. He's an evil asshole and he knows it. He suffers from his own doing, his self-awareness and self-deprecation. He has so much to give to the world, but he doesn't know how; all these intense emotions are pent-up in him and the human body can only hold so much. If he lived today he would definitely be on anti-depressants.
I enjoyed every single piece from this collection of autofictional stories. I first read No Longer Human almost 20 years ago, when I was still at an impressionable age, and it laid the foundation to my core character, along with Pessoa's The Book of Disquiet. I treasure them very much and still keep both copies on a corner of my bookshelf. This one's joining the ranks of them.
March 2, 2024
...
Read this book. That's what I want to say first. Find a copy someplace, and read it.
Self Portraits is probably the best book I've ever read. It creates an odd and complex juxtaposition between anecdotes completely devoid of hope, to those brimming with a curious sense of humor. It's completely worth each and every second spent reading and thinking about it.
First, I want to write about the organization of this book; it's amazing. Obviously, it's one of the most sensible options for a book like this, but nonetheless, I think it deserves appreciation. The book begins with a recollection of Dazai's life, from his childhood to his successful suicide. Besides giving the reader preparation for what they are about to read, and who they are about to read about, this also sets up a nice parallel for the rest of the book. The essays afterward are organized to match up with Dazai's life and create a chronological story, which, admittedly, is really nice and makes for a great read.
Second, I'd like to focus on the humor mentioned earlier. I would definitely consider myself to have an "interesting" kind of humor, primarily based on irony (thanks TikTok), however, Dazai's comedic perspective on some stories is still considerably enjoyable. I wouldn't go so far as to say I ever laughed out loud at his writing, but it was still fun to read.
On the opposite side of this, I want to focus on how depressing this book is. I am someone who thrives off of sad literature, and I have for years, so it's unsurprising that I love Dazai's works so much. But in comparison to other sad pieces of writing, I don't feel sad about what is actually happening; rather, I feel sad because of how it's written. I don't know if this completely makes sense, but essentially, in a book like "How to Make Friends with the Dark" (Kathleen Glasgow), I felt sad reading it because of the difficulties Tiger was facing and the grief she was dealing with. However, with "Self Portraits", I felt sad as a result of the unique lens that Dazai provides the reader with. When looking at the world in a thoroughly depressed manner, as demonstrated in this book, there's little, if anything, that acts as a light. This is such a nihilistic perspective on life that has affected me to this day (certainly not negatively; rather, I feel it has provided me with a different way to perceive everything around me. I'm not a nihilist in any way, but reading something like this has definitely left me wondering about some of the core ideals). I don't know if Dazai was absolutely a nihilist, but based on everything I have read from him, it wouldn't be a far-fetched assumption.
I don't really know what else there is that I want to talk about. One of the most memorable stories is definitely Canis Familiaris for me, but everything in this is great. If you didn't pay attention to what I said at first, READ THIS BOOK. Anyways, thanks for reading my long-winded rant about one of my obsessions :)
Read this book. That's what I want to say first. Find a copy someplace, and read it.
Self Portraits is probably the best book I've ever read. It creates an odd and complex juxtaposition between anecdotes completely devoid of hope, to those brimming with a curious sense of humor. It's completely worth each and every second spent reading and thinking about it.
First, I want to write about the organization of this book; it's amazing. Obviously, it's one of the most sensible options for a book like this, but nonetheless, I think it deserves appreciation. The book begins with a recollection of Dazai's life, from his childhood to his successful suicide. Besides giving the reader preparation for what they are about to read, and who they are about to read about, this also sets up a nice parallel for the rest of the book. The essays afterward are organized to match up with Dazai's life and create a chronological story, which, admittedly, is really nice and makes for a great read.
Second, I'd like to focus on the humor mentioned earlier. I would definitely consider myself to have an "interesting" kind of humor, primarily based on irony (thanks TikTok), however, Dazai's comedic perspective on some stories is still considerably enjoyable. I wouldn't go so far as to say I ever laughed out loud at his writing, but it was still fun to read.
On the opposite side of this, I want to focus on how depressing this book is. I am someone who thrives off of sad literature, and I have for years, so it's unsurprising that I love Dazai's works so much. But in comparison to other sad pieces of writing, I don't feel sad about what is actually happening; rather, I feel sad because of how it's written. I don't know if this completely makes sense, but essentially, in a book like "How to Make Friends with the Dark" (Kathleen Glasgow), I felt sad reading it because of the difficulties Tiger was facing and the grief she was dealing with. However, with "Self Portraits", I felt sad as a result of the unique lens that Dazai provides the reader with. When looking at the world in a thoroughly depressed manner, as demonstrated in this book, there's little, if anything, that acts as a light. This is such a nihilistic perspective on life that has affected me to this day (certainly not negatively; rather, I feel it has provided me with a different way to perceive everything around me. I'm not a nihilist in any way, but reading something like this has definitely left me wondering about some of the core ideals). I don't know if Dazai was absolutely a nihilist, but based on everything I have read from him, it wouldn't be a far-fetched assumption.
I don't really know what else there is that I want to talk about. One of the most memorable stories is definitely Canis Familiaris for me, but everything in this is great. If you didn't pay attention to what I said at first, READ THIS BOOK. Anyways, thanks for reading my long-winded rant about one of my obsessions :)
June 11, 2025
So much laughter and so many tears in one book. Canis Familiaris and Handsome Devil and Cigarettes were probably my favourites amongst the stories. His life is so fascinating in such a horrible twisted way and the way he writes about it is equally poetic as it is raw and soul crushing. One of my favourite authors.
September 11, 2024
Absolute banger
Broke me when dazai hit me with
“What did they see? Phantom flowers that dance in the air, their own life histories unfolding before them like scrolls or revolving lanterns decorated with faces and failures of every description.”
Im going insane
Broke me when dazai hit me with
“What did they see? Phantom flowers that dance in the air, their own life histories unfolding before them like scrolls or revolving lanterns decorated with faces and failures of every description.”
Im going insane
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