The post-war era in Japan was marked by profound social upheaval as the country grappled with the shock of defeat and the occupation by American forces and their allies. Osamu Dazai’s *The Setting Sun* is set against this backdrop, portraying the decline of a minor aristocratic family.
The story is narrated by Kazuko, the unmarried daughter of a widowed aristocrat. Her quest for meaning in a society that no longer has a place for her lies at the heart of Dazai’s novel. It is a poignant tale, deeply rooted in the traditional Japanese narrative style reminiscent of Nobel Prize winner Yasunari Kawabata—where social interactions are subtle and understated, and much is left to interpretation. For readers more accustomed to Western literary forms, this may come across as vague or elusive.
As the story unfolds, Kazuko’s mother falls ill, forcing them into financial hardship and leading them to move to a small cottage in the countryside. Meanwhile, Kazuko’s brother, who became addicted to opium during the war, is missing. When he eventually returns, Kazuko attempts to form a relationship with the novelist Uehara. However, this romantic entanglement only deepens her sense of alienation from society.
