CRACKLING MOUNTAIN - OSAMU DAZAI

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 I’m slowed down on my reading given current world events. The main focus of the protests (so far) here in Seattle has been the East Precinct, located about 4 blocks from my house. I’ve been down there every day so far, not always for a long time, so it’s somewhat cut into my reading time. Seems like a reasonable sacrifice. Anyway, this book was given to me for my birthday by a coworker. S/o to Heaven. I’ve seen her reading some Junji Ito so our taste in Japanese literature at least somewhat overlaps. I’d never heard of Dazai but, if the internet is to be believed, he’s quite popular in Japan. In fact, there is a Ito version of one of his novels. CRACKLING MOUNTAIN is a collection of short stories. Each story is prefaced by a translator’s note that explains the circumstance around the tale. Many are based on Japanese or European myths/poems so in some ways the explanation ruins some of the surprises. The stories themselves are strange and sad. There’s a stretch towards the back, where the book hits a stride and each story is untouchable. The Sound of Hammering is an almost Ligotti-like yarn of modern life and absurdity. The Monkey’s Mound leads to a bizarre and cruel climax. The last story in the book includes the line, “In every woman dwells this cruel rabbit, while in every man a good badger always struggles against drowning.” which is certainly a lot to think about. The opening story is a series of autobiographical sketches that are so light and airy and melancholy while at the same time holding an abysmal dread since the backdrop is Japan’s lead-up to WWII. I did like the detail that grade school homework in Imperial Japan was, “to paint five watercolors and collect 10 rare insects.” Dazai himself seems to have lead a sad, bohemian life in Imperial Japan and then in the wreckage afterwards. Or at least until he killed himself. Something about it reminds me of a Japanese Daniil Kharms. The fairy-tales feature commentary within the tales themselves that highlight the impossibility of morals while the Samurai stories skewer sanctimony. More fun than I expected, I typically don’t like short story collections but this one held me. I’d like to get my hands on NO LONGER HUMAN to see what the fuss is about. Thank you Heaven. 48 washed-up Samurai