Unlike traditional Japanese literature, which has a rich tradition of comedy, modern Japanese literature is commonly associated with high seriousness of purpose. In this study, Joel R. Cohn analyzes works by three writers - Ibuse Masuji (1898-1993), Dazai Osamu (1909-1948), and Inoue Hisashi (1934-) - whose works constitute an assault on the notion that comedy cannot be part of serious literature.
Unlike traditional Japanese literature, which has a rich tradition of comedy, modern Japanese literature is commonly associated with high seriousness ...
