His themes-first love, lost love, change, fate-are universal ones, but his characters and settings are Japanese.

    Working before and during World War II, these writers sought to create an underground literature in opposition to the traditional flavour favoured by the militaristic government. Depicting unflattering realities rather than the exemplary ideals, the author focused on Japan's hustlers, bunglers and misfits. Yet underlying the tales, his sympathy for the characters he portrays is sensed.

    All content is in Japanese: hiragana, katakana, and kanji with hiragana/katakana above them.

    Describing the onstage magic and the backstage hierarchy that is Kabuki, this book looks at the 500-year-old spectacle of dance, music and elaborate costume from an actor's point of view."