Osamu Dazai

Osamu Dazai (real name Shūji Tsushima; 1909–1948) was a Japanese writer. He was born in Aomori Prefecture as the tenth of eleven children. After studying French literature, he devoted himself to writing. His work was strongly influenced by the Japanese tradition of autobiographical fiction known as the “I-novel” (shishōsetsu), and often explores personal and existential conflicts. Among his best-known works is the novel *No Longer Human* (original title: *Ningen shikkaku*; German: *Gezeichnet*). Dazai died by suicide in 1948.