SHOSETSU SHINZUI

Shosetsu shinzui (1885; tr. The Essence of the Novel, 1956) is a long essay written by Tsubouchi Shoyo. He argues that novels are the ideal literary genre, and, citing both Western and traditional Japanese examples, argues for a new kind of novel that avoids didacticism and uses a realistic style. He also spells out some of the stylistic rules that should govern novel writing. Although published originally as nine modest fascicles, the work galvanized cotemporary writers searching for a colloquial genbun itchi narrative style and has come to be seen as a watershed in the development of modern Japanese literature.

See also LITERARY CRITICISM; MORI OGAI.