This is the second volume of Annotated Japanese Literary Gems, which makes available representative examples of Japanese short stories and novellas from Meiji to the present. This multi-volume set of books—six volumes are planned—provides rubi for nearly all kanji at first use. Each story is also included in a plain-text version. Along with the extensive annotations provided, the collection serves as a resource for students of modern Japanese literature and can also be used as an intermediate to advanced language text. The volume is printed Japanese-style, with pages ordered from right to left. The present volume introduces stories by three distinguished authors. Natsume Soseki, considered the greatest Meiji author along with Mori Ogai, is well known for his Botchan and I Am a Cat. Tomioka Taeko, an Osaka-born contemporary author, favors writing about nameless or marginal, yet unusual, individuals with their distinctive fears and desires. Inoue Yasushi is acclaimed for historical narrative and autobiographical fiction.
