Kokoro Reviews

• Shades of Friendship, Shadows of Sacrifice

  
  By A1TIZI060W4BD9 on 2001-04-17
  Classic Western novels usually concentrate on plot and some action which delineates it, though there are many exceptions to the rule. Japanese novels, however, often focus on human feelings first of all, with plot taking a distant second place. Natsume Soseki's novels fit very well into this framework and KOKORO is a strong example. ['Kokoro' means "heart" or "feelings".] The book is divided into three parts. The first explores the relationship between the narrator and Sensei, a lonely intellectual who maintains few contacts with the world, but explains life to the innocent narrator, a student, who bears a passing relationship to Carlos Castaneda in "The Teachings of Don Juan" because he steadfastly fails "to get it". The second part portrays the relationship of the narrator to his parents, while the third and longest part is a testament by Sensei explaining to the young narrator why he became the type of man he is, i.e. he tells his life story. Though the relationships between narrator, Sensei, a young girl, and a fellow-student named only K are explored in depth, there is little of what might be termed plot. Despite there being a love triangle and two suicides, the author prefers to concentrate on the characters' thoughts instead of details of action. Soseki's skill is such that he fascinates the reader with the exploration of personality. There is no florid pyschoanalysis, no sex, no wall-banging despair and certain aspects are never explained---for example, why the narrator liked Sensei to begin with. Yet, by the end of the novel, the reader has a strong picture of the narrator, Sensei, and the unfortunate K. You understand their motivations and feel, as in so much great literature of all countries, the helplessness of Man, the vanity of Life.

  We may say that in KOKORO, Soseki wrote about the different shades of friendship that exist between people and asks if it is really possible to have a true friend. The corollary is then, are we not all alone ? Are not friendship and love cosmetics to cover basic loneliness ? People speak of sacrifice, but more often than not, they sacrifice not themselves, but others, at the shrine of their own desolation. These are universal themes and so KOKORO is an interesting novel which I recently re-read. If you are looking for a good introduction into modern Japanese literature, this is definitely an excellent choice---mature, thought-provoking, and well-written.
  
  

• Love and Loyalty and Loss

  
  By A2B8GXSCB1R05T on 2003-08-28
  All of these are themes found in Japanese art, and all have a home in "Kokoro." Kokoro translates to heart or soul or spirit, and this book does justice to its title. Inside this slim volume is a testament of spirit, of youth and age, of man and woman, of ancient and modern juxtapositions of kokoro. What is love? What is friendship? What is responsibility?

  The writing style is slow and delicate, with a precise economy of ideas and words. The translation is excellent, lending credible authenticity to the language. The Ideas, of course, need little interpretation as they are human in nature, and can be understood by all. Small cultural notes, such as the important suicide of General Nogi, are wisely footnoted and explained to deepen understanding of the narrative.

  The simple story of Sensei, his wife, the young man and his family lay a basic framework upon which to weave the emotions that are the true focus.

  Overall, while a book with an extremely Japanese flavor, it does transcend the barriers and gets at the inner life, the kokoro.
  
  

• A Work of Art

  
  By on 1999-10-18
  Delicate and poetic, but without a hint of weakness or artifice, this virtually flawless, deceptively "easy" novel speaks volumes (and does so with an incomparable style and gift) about the essence of the human condition. Man is destined to be alone -- and to know it. And that knowledge is what compels him to seek, however futilely, connectedness. In "Kokoro," Soseki has indeed plumbed the heart's core. Strongly recommended.
  
  

• Stunning

  
  By A3KB1PMGOKQJZB on 2006-06-16
  In Kokoro, Soseki simultaneously amazes the reader with his simplicity of style, though never lacking in gorgeous and visually stunning language. Beautifully written, Kokoro evokes the most fundamental of human desires--the need for companionship and the results of having it snatched from you.
  
  

• Japanese ambiguous heart.

  
  By A1UOX7GBT8C16G on 2000-10-15
  Most of us Japanese people read this novel called "Kokoro"(Kokoro means Heart.) when we are high school students in a japanese class. Our Japanese text books always include this Kokoro. So most of students read and study how our greatest writer was worried in those days. Add to it, this writer, Sohseki is one of the most greatest writer in Japan at the Meiji era. He turned from an English professor to a novelist. At the Meiji era, we japanese decided to accept European culture with changing our own unique life style. So the elite professor like Sohseki was very annoyed between European culture that suddenly come enter to our life and our traditional culture. Yes, most of Sohseki's works are "unfinished" as novel. Kokoro was't finished, either. We can call it this novel is very ambiguous, vague, obscure. Sohseki just presents us complicated, unfathomable, but delicate, deliberate, deep and serious themes in this novel. Presumably this Kokoro was unsuccessful work as novel, however, all sides of our life are not always completely "finished", are they? Sohseki's works are really our precious fortune.
  
  
• Poetic tale with meaning for everyone
  By A2UN4S3N7VYLEV on 2001-09-07
  The depth of this novel amazed me ... I cannot imagine the torment that Sensei felt, keeping his secret to himself until the very end of his life. Orphaned at a young age, betrayed by his uncle over money, betrayer of his best friend over love, cause of his friend's suicide ... I can only hope that the narrator got as much out of Sensei's story as I did.

  The last part, Sensei's confession, was clearly at the heart of Soseki's novel. I believe I read that actually, Sensei's Testament was the first part Soseki wrote originally (which would, to a degree, explain the "unfinished" abrupt ending). Also, during the first two parts "I" refers several times to Sensei's death, which would make sense chronologically if the last part was actually the first part.

  In any event, reading this book was a joy, even if it was a sad tale. Soseki's prose was akin to poetry, something I think was lost a bit in the translation (which is nearly fifty years old now). Even in the translation, however, I think the poetic power that Soseki writes with is apparent. Kokoro is a classic for the ages.
  
  

• An exquisite study of loneliness
  By on 1998-08-19
  The subject matter of this charming Japanese novel by one of the dozen or so greatest writers of the 20th century, is the loneliness spanning two generations of Japanese men. A story within a story, it begins with an exposition of the profound influence one man, Sensei, has on a young friend (the narrator) and in particular, the devastating consequences that Sensei's cataclysmic decision has on the narrator's life. Later in the book we hear Sensei's own story in which he describes the devastating consequences had on his own life by a cataclysmic decision made by one of the people he valued most. The book is deceptively simple but floods with lyrical beauty. It is a book that lives on in your mind for a long time, and taps into the inevitable feeling that we all have from time to time that we are alone, swallowed by the "silence of the whirlpool". Awesome. Read it and never regret it.
  
  
• Study of Man in a Changing World
  By AKB2PYODH0TKS on 2006-07-27
  Kokoro ("the heart of the matter") is a great introduction to the japanese modern culture and it's effect on the transitional ("Meiji") generation. Japan lived in pleasant isolation until in 1857 it's eyes were opened to western imperialism. In order to protect itself and it's culture (having seen what was happening in China), the japanese Emporer Meiji ORDERED an industrial modernization of the country.
  
  In one generation, the japanese went from a backwater feudal country to a world power (in 1905 they defeated both the Russian Army and Navy, the first Asian power to defeat a European nation in modern times). They built a modern navy based on the British model and an army based on the Prussian. They also totally revamped their education system, so that it emphasised science and mathematics.
  
  The "Meiji" generation, was the one that stood in both cultures, they had been children of the old and adults in the new. They were much like the first generation of an immigrant familly, that still spoke their "native" language, but lived totally in the American culture.
  
  Any sociologist will tell you that 'these' people are never really comfortable in either. They feel sad about 'deserting' their heritage; but also envy those who feel so at home in the new country. An immigrant child will always admit that they themselves fail to see how well they fit in; they only see where they are lacking. They also tend to be very self critical.
  
  This book handles these problems in a very japanese way.
  
  
• Beautiful but Slow
  By A1UULEB5AU810P on 2004-09-02
  Kokoro is a classic of Japanese literature. It follows the story of a young man who meets an elder one, who he calls Sensei (teacher, elder, master). Sensei is at first very mysterious about his past, but the young man learns slowly of his deep loneliness and its causes. Sensei had a life of betrayal and love turned sour.
  
  The book is divided up into three sections: Sensei and I, My parents and I, and Sensei and his Testament. The first chronicles the two men's meeting and their relationship. The second describes the narrator going home to his parents only to find that he has changed so much that he no longer feels at home with them, and in fact honors Sensei above them. The last is a letter written to the narrator by Sensei, telling of Sensei's past.
  
  I must caution any prospective reader about two things. First, the book is slow moving. There are very few exciting scenes, but many pondorous ones. This is due partly to the translation. Having read the book first in Japanese, I think it is a bit faster paced in its native language. Second, the author assumes that the reader knows some things about Japanese culture instinctivily. Occasionally, you may find that a character's action which the author doesn't bother to explain seems puzzling. I believe that any dedicated reader can, however, work through these obstacles and truly enjoy this book.
  
  When the book is finished, readers often find themselves struggling with Sensei's character. He has been through terrible things, but what of that? People recover from worse things than he has passed through, and still seem cheerful enough. Why must he be so weak willed?
  
  The answer to these riddles lies in the book's title. "Heart," it might be, translated, or "center," or "emotion." Sensei says of his own heart, "You see, loneliness is the price we have to pay for being born in this modern age, so full of freedom, independence, and our own egotistical selves."
  
  
• evergreen, poetic and life in post Meiji Japan
  By A30NHVVC62LJMK on 2004-12-06
  I became a fan of Soseki after I read "Botchan" and "I am a cat" - both were fascinating books. Then I found "kokoro" in a book shop in SF. I am glad i bought it. This is a different genre of book - more of introspection and constructive criticism of the post Meiji Japan. I took a long time to read the book, like I do to read Kawabata - the culture is vastly different and most of the ideas are not explicit - you have to think imagine. Actually another great Japanese author, Junichiro Tanizaki, said that the modern day writer is too kind to the reader - so you have to think and interpret while you read.
  The book is written in first person (it is quite autobiographical). It explores the feelings of a young college graduate - it examines his feelings. The narrator is obsessed with his friend, philosopher and guide whom he refers as "sensei" even though this person in return do not have the same feelings for the narrator in the beginning. Still he directs the narrator through some of the torturous path of life. The narrators father is in his death bed when he receives the last mail from his "sensei" - the contents of this letter covers later half of the book. In the letter his teacher narrates his own life.
  Two things to notice - the absence of religious overtones or under currents and the respect for death. As I have read Mishima, Akutagawa I have found that in Japanese culture death has a more profound meaning than just the end of life. More than often this end of life is preceded by the objective of going on to live and in its absence death seems to be the obvious choice even though ominous.
  Here also we find quite a few death but everybody, which includes the person who is dying and his or her close ones look for the objective of living. The status of women may provide a little sting to western readers but please realize that this is near end of Meiji era is Japan and not Las Vegas in 2004.
  Please do not try to read this book in your flight from Boston to LA or you will be bored to death better read it in the Christmas holidays
  
  
• Overrated to a degree that is almost incredible.
  By AH2YE0W8J1XKU on 2004-03-15
  After reading and rereading this book, and then following that with hours of discussion and lecture in a modern Japanese literature course, I can honestly say that this is one of the most overrated books that I have ever read.

  Kokoro is weak from a technical standpoint. Whereas a novel generally has the components of exposition, rising action, climax, and denouement, this book has only the first or the last. I have been unable to decide which. That characters die in the course of the story is obviously intended to evoke some sort of emotional response, but Soseki does such a poor job of making any of the characters interesting or anything more than utterly one dimensional that one is hard-pressed to feel anything resembling sympathy when a character dies. It is as if Soseki assumed that the reader already passionately cares about the characters, which is a ridiculous assumption on the part of any writer; it is an even more egregious fault in someone who is considered one of the greatest novelists whom Japan has ever produced.

  Much of the novel is spent in descriptions that have no bearing on anything in any way, serving no purpose except as an excuse for Soseki to display his mastery of poetic language. After reading a ten page section, one inevitably asks oneself what the point was. The response is invariably that there is none other than to serve as yet more foreshadowing.

  The entire course of the book is extremely predictable. In fact, if you have ever read "A Separate Peace", then you will know exactly what is going to happen in the second half of the book. The predictability of events and emotional dysfunction further reduce any sort of pathos that might have been created. While it is true that such predictability can be used to evoke a heightened sense of inevitability in the deliberate pace of fate, one needs to have characters about whom we know something and whom we understand. Without such characters, we are only left wondering when it will all be over and done.

  While the book does say some vaguely interesting things about the nature of human relationships, its messages would have been clearer in essay form: the awkwardness, banality, and heavy-handed predictability of the story do naught but get in the way.

  Natsume Soseki wrote several worthwhile pieces, including "I Am a Cat", which is a personal favorite, but "Kokoro" is not one of his better efforts. Its status as one of the great Japanese novels is a befuddling fact, considering that there have been many other novels to come out of Japan that outstrip this plodding, predictable, and utterly banal book by leaps and bounds.

  kono hon ga yahari dame de aru.
  
  

• unique
  By on 1999-05-18
  With _Kokoro_ Natsume Soseki did what English-speaking authors apparently can't do: tell a story of (non-sexual) passion, betrayal, sadness, and above all a pervading, unbearable loneliness, all without being the least bit melodramatic. It's understated and almost dispassionate on the one hand, but profound and moving on the other. The author's understanding of the ordinariness (but vast importance) of the tragedy that is life is brilliant. One of the most underrated and underread of twentieth-century novels, and this is a great translation, to top it off.
  
  
• A slow, but poetic death--a tragic hero is born
  By on 2003-09-18
  Natsume Soseki creates a fictional space of characters that does not move, or moves very little, throughout the entire course of the novel. Quickly we learn the main focus of the novel is a man named Sensei, whose past is clouded in mystery, leaving a suspenseful curiousity that does not resolve itself until the very end.

  Sensei's relationship with the young boy, although a salve to the lonesomeness both feel (for both the young boy growing up in modern Tokyo and a reclusive old man living alone with his wife), is tainted by Sensei's mysterious past about which he refuses to talk. From the narration, we gather a sense of the deep internal torment conflicting Sensei, but are not explicitly told why. His dark apprehensions continue to haunt him up until the present time, many years later. It is not until Sensei's final epistle before he kills himself, a story-in-itself which takes up the entire second half, that Sensei explains the rationale for his brooding and unsettling behavior ever since the suicide of his boyhood friend, "K".

  Throughout the letter, we witness Sensei's most vulnerable weaknesses, and also his increasingly looming guilt over the feelings he could not help but harbor for K during his jealous fits for their admiree, Ojosan. In effect, we have a story wrapped up in its own emotional turmoil, and central to it all, though sadly unaware that they are, the victims: Ojosan, who later does become Sensei's wife, and, in some manner, the narrator, who is at a loss for his mentor's great escape from his undead reality. At the end, though, we see some resolution both physically and emotionally. Sensei's original intent to honor his friend through the taking of his own life is finally realized, and not with sadness. Soseki makes this point clear by the end that it would've been far worse had Sensei lived on as he did in paralysis, thereby perpetuating his own lingering guilt and the irreconciliable guilt he induced in others, particularly, Ojosan. Also, Sensei's need to preserve beauty at all costs, even at the expense of truth and a chance at redeemed happiness for both he and his wife, dies as another symbol of restoration that results from Sensei's death. Thus, in a matter of roundabout-ness, Soseki succeeds in conveying the equilibrium that is restored through the commission of right deeds.

  By the end, we are forced to consider Sensei as a good, but ultimately flawed and deeply cowardly, man who ends up doing the right thing.

  Unfortunately, the sitting on Sensei's inner embattlement with both his own cowardice and his jealousy of K becomes too much of a stumbling block and causes the narrative to become paralyzingly slow. Though it suceeds in eliciting pathos at first, it repeats in somewhat agonizing fashion; the characters do not seem to change at all during the course of the story. Indeed, the story-logic becomes somewhat circular, showing the irrational inconsistencies that emotional strife wrecks on the mind. I found this as somewhat of an annoyance and particularly galling was the fact that the tripartite divisioning of the story leaves out all traces of the original thread, which describes the burgeoning relationship between Sensei and the narrator. Their surrogate kinship is never returned to after the opening segment and one wonders whether Soseki was aware of this loose end in the novel; if so, then the entire first half of the book was unncessary--just the final epistle would've been sufficient to convey his admittedly morbid sentiments about love as it pertained to the tragedy of this young man, who, in the end, proved himself capable of heroicism.

  The book does shine, though, in some parts, especially in its discussion of love's two-headed spear. That even in one's victory in gaining love, there is guilt over the taking of it from another. This is Soseki's primary message, among others, that motivates the telling of his story, and it is one that would've been even more potent had the prose been more concentrated into its most essential parts, namely, the beginning and the end. Had this been a short story, the poignancy of the message would not have been lost. As it is, the theme comes across at best as diluted and overly melodramatic, both mistakes characteristic of amateur writers, though we should not expect this from a legend like Soseki.
  
  

• Beauty Comes From the East
  By A2KXYGIZI4I55D on 2001-03-07
  If I possesed the grasp of words that both Soseki and his translator did in this novel, I could better convey the emotions that poured out of me as I read this book. If I told you that this book was of loneliness as a result of the modern era in trun of the Centruy Japan, you would see Soseki as a reactionary against change. He was not, though but rather comfortable with modern conveniences. If I told you that never have I read a story with characters of such depth, you would pass it off as a complicated classic. It is not but rather simple to read. It is this style that makes the intense and profound truth so hard hitting. Imagine living in a country where, in one lifetime, modernization that took Europe centuries occurs. People from a set hierarchy spanning millenia come to ride the same train together and with the traditional age goes the moral values associated with it. This lack of identification with your own country men creates such a deep loneliness that only one's closest friends can fill. And when something comes between one and ones'friend at least the Emperor, which began this era is alive and unchanging. When the Emperor dies, what meaning does ones' existence have anymore. This modern age which took your friends, distanced you from your wife has no more things that link you to it. Why live?
  
  
• Beautiful and Haunting
  By A233XIEAGVRZYG on 2002-04-04
  If you have read (and enjoyed) Edith Wharton's Ethan Frome, then chances are you will like this book for the same reasons that Wharton's book is so effective. Kokoro's charms are as powerful as Ethan Frome's, even though their respective plots are not at all similar. The book stays with one long after it has been read. The translation, although not contemporary, is transparent, and helps make Kokoro a compelling novel.
  
  
• Loneliness
  By A34S0AW2HMYYR1 on 2003-12-05
  I read Kokoro a couple of months ago and, now, I am reflecting on its various themes for a final paper. Reading a bunch of these reviews, I have realized that a major idea that has not been discussed is the theme of self discovery. Sensei leads a lonely life because he realizes that, when tempted, he can betray as well. How can one trust others when he cannot not even trust his own actions? However, in the end, Sensei comes to terms with his fear. In writing his testament to the narrator, Sensei shows that he was slowly learning to trust others again.

  Thus, I believe this story though sad ends optimistically. We see that the narrator can learn much from Sensei's experiences. We also feel as though Sensei, though petrified, overcame his fear of friendship because of a sense of obligation.
  
  

• When one can see through others eyes there is understanding.
  By on 1998-03-13
  The journey begins through curiosity. A young man tries to find meaning in his life. What better way than to follow a stranger on a beach? Isn't life ridiculous at times? Soseki's ability to look through the eyes of his characters makes his fiction breathe and live. Through his portrayal of human emotion his words create a poetry of life. He doesn't try to hide anything. Instead his stories bloom as one walks along, side by side, with the characters. In our search for meaning in life we look for a guide. Through 'Kokoro' Soseki guides us along the road that assures us that we ourselves are our own guides. He becomes our Sensei as we see through his eyes. Although meloncholy at times, Soseki's work is uplifting and genuine. It speaks of the power and grace of individual life. A recommended read for someone who wants to break away from the tension and speed of conteporary writing. Walk along with the characters and discover the coplex web of thought that can often capture the persona. Visit the grave of the monk student and find out the secret to Sensei's past. Take a quick train ride into the psyche of one mans mind while seeing through the eyes of another. Life is often complicated.
  
  
• Soseki's Masterpiece on the Angst of the Changing Times
  By A2N4PHFXB1SZUQ on 2003-05-02
  This story about the emotions and relationship between a young man of the Taisho generation (1912-1926) and an older man of the Meiji generation (1868-1912) was completed in 1914, two years before the author's death. Kokoro can be considered Soseki's last great work published just before his unfortunate death. It is a story of two men of different generations coming together as representations of their times. The younger gentleman is a university student who enters an intellectual, intimate and cathartic relationship with the mysterious older man who is addressed as Sensei. In this novel, Soseki explores the interactions between the emotions (or the hearts-kokoro) of men from two different generations. The work is an examination of the social and psychological motivations of different generations that affect the way each character behaves.

  At the beginning of the novel, Soseki sketches the image of Taisho Japan, where a young man searches for salvation in this new era. He meets Sensei, the unemployed intellectual older citizen of Tokyo, who possesses a mysterious past. The young man is drawn to this enigmatic Sensei and seeks solace as he beings to discover his past. Over the rest of the novel, the portrait is completed with the emotions of angst that exist in our own humanity.

  This Soseki work is a brilliant work of literature worthy of the Japanese canon. I highly recommend Kokoro to anybody interested in discovering the different mind frames of Japanese citizens of the Meiji-Taisho transition years or the meeting of cross generational minds. Although Soseki uses a simple first person prose, the implications of this work are profound. While reading the book, it was often necessary to ask myself questions like: What motivates love in humanity? How can we love with guilt? How can we resolve the loneliness of modernity?

  Kokoro is not a work of sanguinity; it is an exploration of the dark recesses of minds that affect human behavior and an estimation of the affects from a vanishing generation with the coming of a modern age.
  
  

• Reflections on Kokoro
  By on 1999-09-06
  Kokoro portrays a story of love, passion and all sorts of emotion which can't be expressed in everyday life. The story shows true nature of human beings and of how we can be selfish sometimes. There are many relationships to be evaluated i.e between Watashi and Sensei, Sensei and his wife; Sensei and K. It's amazing.
  
  
• Amazing Book with a Fantastic Ending
  By A1GBYY5W5KA1IF on 2001-02-16
  When you first get into Kokoro, you may think that this will be a boring book. But I urge you to not only look deeper into the words, but also keep reading. Section III of this book was amazing. The detail that Sensei goes into about his life as a college student is amazing, and the there are numerous themes that appear especially in the final section. I was not particularly fond of Japanese writing before I read this book, partially because of lack of exposure to Japanese writing, but after I read Kokoro I immediately wanted to go out and find some more Japanese writing. I promise you that you will not be disappointed with the time and energy you put into reading this sensational book!!
  
  
• A Masterpiece
  By A2BWZGD7S0JZQJ on 2002-01-23
  The most immediate conclusion from reading "Kokoro" is simply that we are all alone and better get around to realizing that fact. The book's argument towards this conclusion is conclusion is nothing short of beautiful.

  However implicit in that conclusion are a number of questions that the book also deals with, though it does so indirectly.

  The Most Important Question is "Why are we alone?" While it is my desire to answer this question in this space provided I fear that such an endeavor would be a disservice.

  In truth, the answer to the question "Why are we alone" as posed by Soseki has so many answers and those answers spawn new questions that one can ponder this book for eternity.
  
  

• An excellent read
  By A1O0GZ5CLYJRXI on 2003-03-10
  "Kokoro" is an excellent read: the writing style is poetic, yet simple, and the characters have great depth. The narrator meets a man he calls "Sensei" at a beach and they form a bond that one might call a friendship. Yet no matter how hard the narrator tries to understand the mysterious man, Sensei refuses to let the boy break down his defenses. Then the narrator leaves Tokyo to visit his ill father and receives a letter from Sensei that describes his life and reason for his despondent nature.

  While the story ends tragically, it seems like the only ending possible that releases the agony of the characters. Sensei may appear to be an insensitive, heartless man in the beginning yet his testament shows much he cares. It shows how a man can have so much passion for life, for loved ones, yet at the same time can be conflicted with guilt, distrust, and despair.
  
  

• poetic and inspiring
  By A3FH7D1168OH76 on 2004-12-15
  Despite the sad overtones of the book, I enjoyed this interesting narrative regarding life, death, and love. It took me a mere two days to read, yet it was still worth every second.
  
  I am now off to explore more works by Natsume Soseki.
  
  
• in need of another negative review
  By AR5KYR47DPQB4 on 2005-11-22
  the first half of the book is hype about what will happen in the second half. something along the lines of: "i dont know why sensei acted why he did, something bad mustve happened in his life, he was an annoying jerk, so i hope something really bad happened to him that can justify his being such a jerk who is annoying." does the second half justify the first? hardly. sensei remains a jerk, and even goes beyond that by refusing to change, and even beyond that by transforming his pupil into a jerk. what a bunch of jerks. about the only person who is not a jerk in the book is the wife, who both the narrator and sensei view as just a stupid woman, you know, those types of humans who dont know how to think or really serve any purpose except to worship sensei. man that guy is irritating! and the narrator too!
  
  
  
  spoiler
  
  
  the stupid kid leaves his dying dad so he can see the dead sensei! what a jerk! his dad is so much nicer to him! the stupid sensei treats his wife like crap and never tells her why! then he kills himself so she can be depressed, without telling her why! what a jerk! and he tells the kid but not her! and he forbids the kid to tell her! what a jerk!
  
  
• From the Heart of a Lonely Man
  By A1O4YEOT0X7PIQ on 2006-10-30
  This is a must read book. Not just once, but many times. Each time you read it you understand and see a different view of the book. One needs to read this book from the Heart as the meaning of Kokoro means from the Heart. The story of a married man, yet lonely. Why he feels guilty about the death of his best friend. A scholar with no ambition, rich enough to enjoy a few simple things in life. How he talks about the ending of his own life. He is sure his wife will be taken care of after his death. The student is confused. I am confused. Read the book more than once. Each time you read, put yourself in each characters "shoe". Written with passion, Kokoro, from the Heart. Is this book fiction or non-fiction, you decide.
  
  
• The definitve novel of 20th century Japan.
  By on 1999-02-04
  Natsume poignantly portrays the lonliness of the modern Japanese individual, trapped between the lures of Western freedom and traditional values in this beautifully crafted novel. If you want to understand the alienation of Haruki's characters, this is where is all begins.
  
  
• Goodbye my Friend
  By A2CRIEA7FXEFST on 2003-06-13
  This book ha sto be on of the saddest pieces of literature that I have ever read. It begins with a young student going to a beach with a friend of his, but the friend has to leave suddenly because of a problem withing the family. the student stays, however, and notices an older man conversing with a foreigner. If it had not been for the foreigner the student would have never noticed the man, but because he did he soon becomes infatuated with the man and goes to the same swimming spot hoping to run into the man again and again, and he does. the man who the student calls sensei, and the student strike up a friendship although it seems really one sided. The student adores the older man, but sensei is very guarded and he hides a dark past. Later the student has to return to the country because his father is dying. It is then that sensei sends a letter describing his past. this is a quite moving book that shows the limits of frienship and what passion wil make a person do. Natsume is an extraordinary writer and the translation is very well done.
  
  
• wooooow gay
  By on 2004-03-31
  i had to read this book for a world civilizations class. this book is a pathetic attempt and should not be used for any class. the first half shouldn't have been written and the second been cut down dramatically. foreshadowing is fine and all, but half a book of it is just pointless. the character "K" also has a few problems himself. why would any man go to the same swimming spot as another, and try to see him again and again. this is just obsurd and the rest of it is aswell. no man would ever kill himself so his friend would not feel guilty being with a girl that they both liked. i know this was not present day or anything, but one would get her and the other would find their own woman. i dont' really know why i'm writting this, i guess just because i'm pissed i had to read this boring book. i'm sorry for anyone else that is in the same situation as me. this book and its themes should have been in a essay or a short story. nothing would have been lost and everyones time would not have been lost either. blah blah blah hope this helps everyone decide to not buy this book and to stare at a wall instead. that definitely would be a better time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  
  
• Terrific Introduction to Japanese Literature
  By A24D5VWW9J7F3W on 2006-04-14
  Kokoro by Natsume Soseki spans the vast Pacific Ocean and serves as a priceless gateway to Japanese literature and culture. Centered around the universal theme of loneliness in the modern world, this masterpiece belongs in all libraries.
  
  This quiet, psychological novel with sparse dialogue portrays Sensei, a reserved, intellectual, and introspective mentor. While sometimes criticized for distant characters, Edwin McClellan perfectly translated the subtle Japanese writing style that aimed for the ethereal.
  
  Divided into three sections, Kokoro greatly differs from Western classics in style. The structure seamlessly blends self-contained notions presented in a blocky style, creating a rich harmony unlike anything found in Western literature. An exceptionally quotable book, every page contained multiple, profound statements about all aspects of life. Written in the early 20th century, this timeless work exudes an almost prophetic feel and is perhaps even more applicable today than in 1914. Sensei stated, "I believe that words uttered in passion contain a greater living truth than do those words which express thoughts rationally conceived," and every word in Kokoro is uttered with the utmost passion.
  
  
  
• An Excellent Japanese Classic.
  By AZLAP0BM0WNLN on 2006-08-08
  'Kokoro' has a timeless quality about it, and people, from many generations from now, will still adore the book. It is a cerebral, philosophical, and melancholy book. One quote from the book sums up what I think the author meant to convey overall, and that quote is 'who are we to judge the needs of another man's heart?'
  
  

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