The Life of an Amorous Man: A Novel of Love and Desire in Old Japan

(Paperback)

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Japan's first modern novel-an unforgettable exploration of love and desire! The Life of an Amorous Man is a groundbreaking work by Ihara Saikaku, Japan's first popular novelist. This is the only unabridged English translation of Saikaku's seminal work, which includes the 54 illustrations drawn by the author and published in the original Japanese version. The story follows Yonosuke, a passionate man whose never-ending quest for pleasure leads him from the glitzy brothels of Edo (modern-day Tokyo) and the refined courtesans of Kyoto to moonlit trysts in quiet villages in the Japanese countryside. Along the way he weaves a tapestry of fleeting affairs and forbidden romances. Brimming with scandalous encounters, witty anecdotes, and poignant reflections, Yonosuke's tale is a candid glimpse into the hedonistic world of Edo-period Japan (1680-1770), where courtesans, gamblers, and pleasure-seekers mingle in a whirlwind of indulgence. The Life of an Amorous Man is both a celebration of life and a fascinating glimpse into a vibrant, bygone era. It is a glimpse into a beautiful and bittersweet world, a mesmerizing portrait of life's most passionate-and ephemeral-moments.

Author Bio

Ihara Saikaku (1641-1693) has been called "the greatest popular Japanese novelist of the 17th century." He was a successful merchant in the up-and-coming city of Osaka. The tragedy of losing his wife and daughter moved him to abandon his business and become an itinerant Buddhist monk who composed haiku verses and erotic stories. Saikaku founded the ukiyo-zoshi (floating world) genre, which flourished between the 1680s and the 1770s. Chris Drake is a translator, writer, and expert on Ihara Saikaku's works. He has a PhD in Japanese Literature from Harvard University and was formerly a professor at Atomi University in Niiza, Japan. He has published many essays and books on Saikaku and other Japanese writers.