The Japan Society

Upcoming Events

ARCHIVED IN-PERSON EVENT - The Japan Society Book Club: And Then by Soseki Natsume

Monday 10 February 2025 / 7:00pm
IN-PERSON EVENT - The Japan Society Book Club: And Then by Soseki Natsume

Date
Monday 10 February 2025
Time
7.00pm

Venue
The Japan Society
13 / 14 Cornwall Terrace
London NW1 4QP

Booking Details
Free for members of The Japan Society

Book available from Bookshop.orgAmazon, and Waterstones (translated by Norma Moore Field)
Japanese version available here

Book online here

Please help us to keep this event free and open to all!

The Japan Society is a charity and its activities are made possible thanks to the support of its members. If you are planning to attend this event and are not a member (as an individual or through your employer), please consider becoming a member or making a donation if you can - the recommended donation is £5. Thank you!

   

And Then explores themes of existential despair and societal disconnection during Japan's Meiji era. The story follows Daisuke, a wealthy, introspective man struggling with the clash between traditional Japanese values and Western modernity. He refuses to conform to societal expectations, including work and marriage, leading to alienation. His internal conflict deepens when he falls in love with Michiyo, his best friend’s wife, challenging morality and loyalty. Through Daisuke’s struggles, Soseki critiques Japan’s rapid modernisation and its effects on individual freedom, relationships, and ethical values, offering a reflection on personal and societal transformation.

Soseki Natsume (1867-1916) is one of Japan’s most renowned modern writers. Born Natsume Kinnosuke in Edo (now Tokyo), he excelled in Japanese and English literature and studied in England before becoming a professor and newspaper columnist. His works, such as I Am a Cat, Botchan, and Kokoro, explore themes of individuality, modernization, and psychological struggle in Meiji-era Japan. Known for his wit and critical insight, Soseki's writing captures the tensions of a rapidly changing society. His legacy endures as a cornerstone of Japanese literature, and his face appeared on the 1,000-yen note from 1984 to 2004.

If you have any questions, please call The Japan Society office on 020 3075 1996 or email events@japansociety.org.uk.


Booking Info

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  • If you are not a member of The Japan Society (as an individual or through your employer), please consider becoming a member or making a donation if you can - the recommended donation is £5.