The Setting Sun

The Setting Sun (1947), by Japanese author Osamu Dazai, tells the story of a declining aristocratic family in post-World War II Japan. The narrative is presented from the perspective of Kazuko, a young woman from a once-prosperous family, and chronicles her experiences as her family falls into ruin. The novel explores themes involving The Decline of the Old Order in Japanese society, The Lingering Effects of Trauma, and The Persistence of Optimism. 

This guide uses the New Directions edition, translated from Japanese to English by Donald Keene.

Content Warning: The source text contains references to mental health conditions, suicide, substance misuse disorder, and infant death.

Plot Summary

The novel opens with Kazuko, the narrator, reflecting on her life and her family’s fall from grace. Once a member of the Japanese aristocracy, Kazuko now lives with her widowed mother in a modest house in the countryside. Her brother, Naoji, has been absent for years, and his whereabouts have been unknown since he went missing during a military campaign. The family’s financial difficulties are apparent. Kazuko and her mother live a quiet, subdued life, reminiscing about the past while adapting to their new circumstances.