Confession of an Inadequate Person

Osamu Dazai is one of the most tragic and mysterious figures in 20th-century Japanese literature. The novel "Confession of an 'Inadequate' Person" is the author's last major work, written in the genre of "watakushi shōsetsu" (a story about oneself). After... finishing "Confession..." and pouring his heart into it, Dazai, along with Yamazaki Tomie, committed shinjū, a "double suicide of lovers." At this time of year, cherry fruits ripen, so June 19, the writer's memorial day, is celebrated in Japan as "Cherry Memorial Day." The full text of the novel in Japanese is accompanied by comments. Some difficult and outdated words are supplemented with hiragana characters.