pt. 1. 1. The new language The Gembun'itchi movement Futabatei Shimei: The drifting clouds -- 2. The imported life Mori Ōgai: The wild goose -- 3. Through the glass darkly Natsume Sōseki: Pillow of grass and Light and darkness -- pt. 2. 4. The margins of life Kawabata Yasunari: Snow country and The sound of the mountain -- 5. Till death do us part Dazai Osamu: The setting sun -- 6. Mute's rage Mishima Yukio: Confessions of a mask and The temple of the golden pavilion