Biography
Kawabata Yasunari emerged as a pivotal figure in Japanese literature, earning the distinction of being the first from his nation to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature. His works, steeped in Japanese culture, reflect both personal tragedy and a vivid imagination. Alongside his creative pursuits, Kawabata played a significant role as a critic and mentor, influencing future generations of writers.
Formative Years
Born on June 11, 1899, in Osaka, Yasunari Kawabata grew up in a world marked by artistic and cultural interests. His father, a doctor with a passion for Chinese poetry, influenced Kawabata's early exposure to the arts. Initially more interested in painting, Kawabata found his calling in writing during middle school, where he began publishing stories in various magazines. Enrolling at Tokyo Imperial University in 1920, he first studied English literature before shifting to Japanese literature, graduating in 1924.
A lingering question surrounds the timeline of Kawabata's earliest works. His piece Jurukosai no nikki ("diary of a sixteen-year-old") chronicles twelve days in May 1914, prior to his grandfather's death. Published in 1925, Kawabata's afterword introspection suggests he rediscovered the diary years later, though some scholars question this timeline based on stylistic analysis. This ongoing debate foreshadows Kawabata's later habit of revising, serializing, and sometimes leaving his works incomplete.
Kawabata's early life was overshadowed by familial loss. Orphaned by age two due to his father's passing, his mother died shortly after, followed by his grandmother and only sister by the time he turned nine. This pattern of bereavement continued into adulthood, shaping his literary themes and contributing to his nuanced portrayal of love and loss.
Literary Career
Despite personal tragedies, Kawabata's professional journey was marked by success. His debut story, Shokonsai ikkei ("a scene of the memorial service for the war dead") gained the attention of Kikuchi Kan, a notable literary figure, initiating Kawabata's introduction to prominent writers. He soon collaborated with Riichi Yokomitsu and others to establish the Bungei jidai ("literary age") magazine, central to the Shinkankaku-ha movement, which embraced modernist European influences to explore new sensory expressions.
Kawabata's unfulfilled romance also influenced his writing. After an unsuccessful engagement, he joined a troupe of performers traveling through the Izu Peninsula, inspiring his acclaimed story, Izu no odoriko ("The Izu Dancer"). Published in 1926, this narrative of youthful longing became a celebrated film, underlining Kawabata's theme of unattainable love—a recurring motif in his oeuvre.
This theme reappears in later works like Nemureru bijo ("The House of the Sleeping Beauties"), where an old man seeks solace beside drugged young women, highlighting the elusive nature of affection. Critics note the nihilistic undercurrents in Kawabata's narratives, reflecting his views on love's impermanence.
Artistic Approach
Kawabata's literary style often involved concise storytelling, crafting "palm-of-the-hand" tales from 1921 to 1972 that he considered the pinnacle of his art. His masterpiece Yukiguni ("Snow Country") exemplifies his fragmented approach, initially released in a magazine in 1935 and evolving over years into a celebrated work, revised multiple times before reaching its final form.
The episodic quality inherent in Kawabata's novels mirrors a broader aspect of Japanese literature, which deprioritizes plot in favor of lyrical reflection. Western readers might struggle with this subtlety, favoring character and narrative over thematic depth. In Sembazuru ("Thousand Cranes"), readers are invited to appreciate a series of impressions rather than a continuous storyline, as demonstrated by the protagonist's interactions with three women linked by familial and romantic ties.
Public and Personal Life
Contrary to his introspective literary persona, Kawabata was not entirely reclusive. Active in public and literary circles, he mentored emerging writers and contributed to revitalizing Japanese literature. During the 1930s, his...
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involvement with literary magazines and governmental initiatives underscored his dedication to enriching Japan's cultural legacy.
His novel Meijin ("The Master of Go") drew from real-life events, depicting a historic Go match that symbolized generational shifts. The impact of World War II deepened Kawabata's engagement with Japan's past, leading him to collect traditional art and reflecting his commitment to cultural preservation.
Despite his public success, Kawabata's life ended tragically with his suicide in 1972, leaving the reasons behind his decision unresolved. His friend Yukio Mishima's suicide two years earlier may have profoundly affected him, contributing to his final act. Kawabata's prolific but often unfinished projects reveal an artist driven by deadlines, his work resonating with diverse audiences despite its sometimes challenging themes.
Final Thoughts
Kawabata's legacy defies easy categorization, as his works intersect popular and literary spheres. His belief in literature accessible to broad audiences was evident throughout his career, as seen in widely serialized stories like Tokyo no hito ("Tokyo people"). Although his worldview embraced nihilism, which might explain his lack of attachment to literary prestige, Kawabata's writing consistently reached a broad readership.
Celebrated internationally, Kawabata was recognized for his unique blend of Western literary techniques with intrinsic Japanese sensibilities. His Nobel Prize acceptance highlighted his cultural roots, positioning him aptly as a distinguished ambassador of Japanese literature. His enduring works offer a window into the poignant and ephemeral beauty of life's moments, captivating thoughtful readers worldwide.
Further Reading
Keene, Donald. “Kawabata Yasunari.” In Dawn to the West: Japanese Literature of the Modern Era, Fiction. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1984. This comprehensive analysis offers valuable insights into Kawabata's influence and artistry.
Kimball, Arthur G. “The Last Extremity.” In Crisis in Identity and Contemporary Japanese Novels. Rutland, Vt.: Charles E. Tuttle, 1972. Examines major Japanese writers thematically from a Western perspective.
Miyoshi, Masao. “The Margins of Life.” In Accomplices of Silence: The Modern Japanese Novel. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1974. Discusses works such as Snow Country in the context of Japanese and Western narrative differences.
Petersen, Gwenn Boardman. “Kawabata Yasunari.” In The Moon in the Water: Understanding Tanizaki, Kawabata, and Mishima. Honolulu: University Press of Hawaii, 1979. Targeted at general readers, with lists of English translations and chronological overviews.
Rimer, J. Thomas. “Kawabata Yasunari: Eastern Approaches.” In Modern Japanese Fiction and Its Traditions: An Introduction. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1986. Focuses on Snow Country and offers an introduction to Japanese narrative principles.
Tsuruta, Kinya, and Thomas E. Swann, eds. “Kawabata Yasunari.” In Approaches to the Modern Japanese Novel. Tokyo: Sophia University, 1976. Contains essays on Kawabata’s notable works, ideal for undergraduate study.
Yamanouchi, Hisaaki. “The Eternal Womanhood: Tanizaki Jun’ichiro and Kawabata Yasunari.” In The Search for Authenticity in Modern Japanese Literature. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1978. A comparative study of Kawabata and Tanizaki, complete with notes and bibliography.
