The first one is "No Longer Human" (Ningen Shikkaku) by Osamu Dazai. It tells the sad story of a lost and alienated high school student, who eventually embarks on a trip entailing self abuse, drugs, adultery, instigated by his inability to understand those around him. The title is semi-autobiographical as were most of the works of the Japanese master.
The second one is "In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom" (Sakura no Mori no Mankai no Shita) by Sakaguchi Ango. It is a perverted love story, taking place in the 12th century, between a mountain bandit and a woman he kidnaps. The woman manages to seduce the bandit to the point that murders the rest of his wives to leave with her in the city, where his unsophisticated ways make him an outcast. Murder though seems to have become a part of his life, in this very violent title. …show more content…
Eventually, he invites his childhood friend K, who is now a monk, to live with them, an act that eventually leads to onerous love triangle. This story is told by two points of view, the man's and K's.
The fourth one is "Run, Melos! (Hashire, Melos!), again by Dazai, which is based on the ancient Greek myth of Damon and Fidias. This time, a playwright writes a play based on the classic story about unwavering friendship as he is tortured by guilt resulting from his betrayal of a