Tōson Shimazaki
Tōson Shimazaki was a prominent Japanese author and poet, known for his contributions to modern Japanese literature. He played a significant role in the development of the naturalist movement in Japan and is best known for his novels such as 'The Broken Commandment' and 'Before the Dawn'.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Broken Commandment
Set in Meiji-era Japan, the story follows Ushimatsu Segawa, a young schoolteacher burdened by a family secret: he belongs to the burakumin, a marginalized social class. Despite his father's dying wish to keep this heritage hidden, Ushimatsu grapples with his conscience and the societal pressures of maintaining his secret. As he navigates his professional life and personal relationships, he is increasingly torn between the desire for honesty and the fear of discrimination. The narrative explores themes of identity, social justice, and the struggle for self-acceptance in a rapidly modernizing society.
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2. Before The Dawn
An epic historical novel that follows a provincial community and a samurai family through the tumultuous years around the Meiji Restoration, portraying the clash between tradition and modernity as political upheaval, economic hardship, and social change dismantle old hierarchies and reshape everyday life; through intimate scenes and broader historical events it examines the costs of progress, the erosion of samurai honor, and the human consequences of rapid modernization.
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