Mori Ogai's statue at his birthhouse in Tsuwano-cho

Mori Ōgai (森 鷗外 / 森 鴎外, Mori Ōgai ^?); (17 February 1862–8 July 1922) was a Japanese physician, translator, novelist and poet. Gan (1911–13, The Wild Geese) is considered as his major work. Ōgai is correctly written 鷗外 but many computers cannot properly display this kanji and so 鴎外 is often used in its place. A statue of Mori Ogai in the garden of his birthhouse in Tsuwano-cho Photograph © Ian Ruxton, 11 September 2004. ... A statue of Mori Ogai in the garden of his birthhouse in Tsuwano-cho Photograph © Ian Ruxton, 11 September 2004. ... An attractive old street in Tsuwano Tsuwano (津和野町; Tsuwano-cho) is a town located in Kanoashi District, Shimane prefecture, Japan. ... February 17 is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1862 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... July 8 is the 189th day of the year (190th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 176 days remaining. ... Year 1922 (MCMXXII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar). ... The Doctor by Samuel Luke Fildes This article is about the term physician, one type of doctor; for other uses of the word doctor see Doctor. ... A novel is an extended work of written, narrative, prose fiction, usually in story form; the writer of a novel is a novelist. ... „The poor poet“ A poet is a person who writes poetry. ... Mori Ogais classical novel, The Wild Geese or The Wild Goose (1911–13, 雁 Gan) was first published in serial form in Japan, and tells the story of unfulfilled love set against a background of social change. ... Japanese writing Kanji Kana Hiragana Katakana Hentaigana Manyōgana Uses Furigana Okurigana Rōmaji Kanji (Japanese:  ) are the Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese logographic writing system along with hiragana (平仮名), katakana (片仮名), and the Arabic numerals. ...

Early life

Mori was born as Mori Rintaro in Tsuwano, Iwami province (present-day Shimane prefecture). His family were hereditary physicians to the daimyo of Tsuwano domain. As the eldest son, it was assumed that he would carry on the family tradition; therefore he was sent to attend classes in the Confucian classics at the domain academy, and took private lesions in rangaku, and in the Dutch language. An attractive old street in Tsuwano Tsuwano (津和野町; Tsuwano-cho) is a town located in Kanoashi District, Shimane prefecture, Japan. ... The article incorporates text from OpenHistory. ... Shimane Prefecture ) is located in the Chugoku region on Honshu island, Japan. ... Daimyo Matsudaira Katamori visits the residence of a retainer. ... Confucian temple in Jiading district, Shanghai. ... Rangaku (蘭学) or Dutch Learning was the method by which Japan kept abreast of Western technology and medicine in the period when the country was closed to foreigners, 1641-1853, because of the Tokugawa shogunates policy of national isolation (sakoku). ... Dutch ( ) is a West Germanic language spoken by around 22 million people, mainly in the Netherlands and Belgium. ...

In 1872, after the abolition of the domains, the Mori family relocated to Tokyo. Mori stayed at the residence of Nishi Amane, in order to receive tutoring in the German language, which was the primarily language for medical education at the time. In 1874, he was admitted to the government medical school (the predecessor for Tokyo Imperial University's Medical School), and graduated in 1881 at the age of 19, the youngest person ever to be awarded with a medical license in Japan. It was also during this time that he developed an interest in literature, reading extensively from the late-Edo period popular novels, and taking lesions in Chinese poetry and literature. Occurring in 1871, the abolition of the han system and establishment of the prefecture system (廃藩置県, haihan-chiken; hai abolish + han + chi set down + ken prefecture) was an act to replace the traditional han system and introduce new local government. ... Tokyo , literally Eastern capital)   is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, the home of the Japanese Imperial Family, and the de facto[1] capital of Japan. ... Nishi Amane Nishi Amane (西周, March 7, 1829 – January 30, 1897) was a Japanese philosopher who helped bring Western philosophy to Japan. ... German (called Deutsch in German; in German the term germanisch is equivalent to English Germanic), is a member of the western group of Germanic languages and is one of the worlds major languages. ... The Yasuda Auditorium on the University of Tokyos Hongo Campus. ... Quatrain on Heavenly Mountain by Emperor Gaozong Hand-painted Chinese New Years poetry pasted on the sides of doors leading to peoples homes, Old Town, Lijiang, Yunnan, China. ...

Early career

After graduation, Mori enlisted in the Imperial Japanese Army, as a medical officer and hoped to specialize in military medicine and hygiene. The Imperial Japanese Army (: 大日本帝國陸軍 Shinjitai: 大日本帝国陸軍 Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun) was the official ground based armed force of Japan from 1867 to 1945 when it was Imperial Japan. ... Hygiene is commonly understood as preventing infection through cleanliness. ...

Mori Ogai in uniform

Mori was sent by the Army to study in Germany (Leipzig, Dresden, Munich, and Berlin) from 1884–1888. During this time, he also developed an interest in European literature. As a matter of trivia, Mori Ogai is the first Japanese known to have ridden on the Orient Express. Image File history File linksMetadata Ogai_Mori. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Ogai_Mori. ... [] (Sorbian/Lusatian: Lipsk) is the largest city in the Federal State (Bundesland) of Saxony in Germany. ... For other uses, see Dresden (disambiguation). ... Munich: Frauenkirche and Town Hall steeple Munich: St. ... Berlin is the capital city and one of the sixteen states of the Federal Republic of Germany. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Poster advertising the Orient Express Orient Express is the name of a long-distance passenger train originally operated by the Compagnie Internationale des Wagons-Lits. ...

Upon his return to Japan, he assumed a high rank as a medical doctor in the Japanese army, and pushed for a more scientific approach to medical research. He even published a medical journal out of his own funds. A medical journal is a scientific journal devoted to the field of medicine. ...

In the meantime, he also attempted to revitalize modern Japanese literature, and published his own literary journal (Shigarami Sohi, 1889–1894) and his own book of poetry (Omokage, 1889). In his writings, he was an “anti-realist”, asserting that literature should reflect the emotional and spiritual domain. Maihime (舞姫, The Dancing Girl, 1890), describing an affair between a Japanese man and a German woman. Japanese literature spans a period of almost two millennia. ... A literary magazine is a periodical devoted to literature in a broad sense — including the short story, poetry and essay — and also literary criticism, book reviews, biographical profiles of authors, interviews, letters and gossip. ... The Dancing Girl (舞姫 Maihime) was the first major novel by the Japanese novelist Mori Ogai. ...

In 1899, he married Akamatsu Toshiko, daughter of Admiral Akamatsu Noriyoshi, a close friend of Nishi Amane. He divorced her the following year under acrimonious circumstances which irreparably ended his friendship with Nishi Amane. Nishi Amane Nishi Amane (西周, March 7, 1829 – January 30, 1897) was a Japanese philosopher who helped bring Western philosophy to Japan. ...

Later career

At the start of the First Sino-Japanese War of 1894–1895, Mori was sent to Manchuria, and the following year to Taiwan. In 1899, he was appointed head of the Army Medical Corps, and was based in Kokura, Kyushu. In 1902, he was reassigned to Tokyo. Combatants Qing Empire (China) Empire of Japan Commanders Li Hongzhang Yamagata Aritomo Strength 630,000 men Beiyang Army, Beiyang Fleet 240,000 men Imperial Japanese Army, Imperial Japanese Navy Casualties 35,000 dead or wounded 13,823 dead, 3,973 wounded The First Sino–Japanese War (Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: ; Japanese... Manchuria (Manchu: Manju; Traditional Chinese: 滿洲; Simplified Chinese: 满洲; pinyin: MÇŽnzhōu, Russian: ) is a vast territorial region in northeast Asia. ... Kokura (小倉) is an ancient castle town and the center of KitakyÅ«shÅ«, Japan, guarding, via its suburb Moji, the Straits of Shimonoseki between HonshÅ« and KyÅ«shÅ«. Kokura is also the name of the penultimate station on the southbound Sanyo Shinkansen line, which is owned by JR KyÅ«shÅ« and... Kyushu region, Japan Kyushu (九州 kyÅ«shÅ«) is the third largest island of Japan and most southerly and westerly of the four main islands. ...

During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904–1905, he was again sent to Manchuria. He came under later criticism for his stubborn refusal to believe that beriberi was not an infectious disease, but an ailment caused by thiamine deficiency, despite evidence presented by Takaki Kanehiro of the Imperial Japanese Navy. His questionable decisions led to the death of 27,000 Japanese soldiers to beriberi, compared to 47,000 deaths from combat. Combatants Imperial Russia Empire of Japan Commanders N/A N/A Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 134,817+ KIA/POW, 170,000 MIA etc. ... Beriberi is a nervous system ailment caused by niacin (vitamin B1) deficiency; its symptoms include weight loss, emotional disturbances, impaired sensory perception (Wernickes encephalopathy), weakness and pain in the limbs, and periods of irregular heart rate. ... For the similarly-spelled nucleic acid, see Thymine Thiamine or thiamin, also known as vitamin B1, is a colorless compound with chemical formula C12H17N5O4S. It is soluble in water and insoluble in alcohol. ... Takaki Kanehiro ); (30 October 1849–13 April 1920) was a Japanese naval physician. ... The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) (: 大日本帝國海軍 Shinjitai: 大日本帝国海軍   or 日本海軍 Nippon Kaigun), officially Navy of Empire of Greater Japan, also known as the Japanese Navy or Combined Fleet was the Navy of Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japans constitutional renunciation of the use of force...

In 1907, Mori was promoted to Army Surgeon-General, the highest post within the Japanese medical corps. On his retirement in 1916 he was appointed director of the Imperial Museum.

Literary career

Although Mori did little writing from 1892–1902, he continued to edit a literary journal (Mezamashi gusa, 1892–1909). He also produced translations of the works of Goethe, Schiller, Ibsen, Hans Christian Andersen, and Hauptmann. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (pronounced [gø tə]) (August 28, 1749–March 22, 1832) was a German writer, politician, humanist, scientist, and philosopher. ... Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller (November 10, 1759 - May 9, 1805), usually known as Friedrich Schiller, was a German poet, philosopher, historian, and dramatist. ... Henrik Johan Ibsen (March 20, 1828–May 23, 1906) was an extremely influential Norwegian playwright who was largely responsible for the rise of the modern realistic drama. ... Søren and David has GIANT P-nizzes ;) ( length: 20 cm, Diameter 6 cm ) FUCK YEAH :D This does not cite its references or sources. ... Hauptmann (German: ) is a German word usually translated as captain when it is used as an officers rank in the German Army. ...

During the Russo-Japanese War (1904–5) that Mori started keeping a poetic diary. After the war, he began holding tanka writing parties that included several noted poets such as Yosano Akiko. Combatants Imperial Russia Empire of Japan Commanders N/A N/A Strength 500,000 Soldiers 400,000 Soldiers Casualties 134,817+ KIA/POW, 170,000 MIA etc. ... See Waka (disambiguation) for other usages. ... Yosano Akiko (与謝野 晶子 Yosano Akiko, December 7, 1878 - May 29, 1942) was a Japanese author and poet. ...

His later works can be divided into three separate periods. From 1909–1912, he mostly wrote fiction based on his own experiences. This period includes Vita Sexualis, and his most popular novel, Gan (1911–13; The Wild Geese), which is set in 1881 Tokyo and was filmed by Shiro Toyoda in 1953 as The Mistress. Mori Ogais classical novel, The Wild Geese or The Wild Goose (1911–13, 雁 Gan) was first published in serial form in Japan, and tells the story of unfulfilled love set against a background of social change. ... The Mistress was a British sitcom starring Felicity Kendal that aired for two series from 1985 to 1987. ...

From 1912–1916, he wrote mostly historical stories. Deeply affected by the seppuku of General Nogi Maresuke in 1912, he explored the impulses of self-destruction, self–sacrifice and patriotic sentiment. This period includes Sanshō Dayū (山椒大夫), and Takasebune (高瀬舟). Seppuku with ritual attire and second (staged) General Akashi Gidayu preparing to commit Seppuku after losing a battle for his master in 1582. ... General Maresuke Nogi (乃木希典 Nogi Maresuke, December 25, 1849 - September 13, 1912) was a Japanese army general, and a prominent figure in the Russo-Japanese War. ...

From 1916, he turned his attention to biographies of late Edo period doctors. The following text needs to be harmonized with text in the article History of Japan#Edo Period. ...

Legacy

As an author, Mori is considered one of the leading writers of the Meiji period. In his literary journals, he instituted modern literary criticism in Japan, based on the aesthetic theories of Karl von Hartmann. The Meiji period ) denotes the 45-year reign of Emperor Meiji, running from 8 September 1868 (in the Gregorian calendar, 23 October 1868) to 30 July 1912. ... Literary criticism is the study, discussion, evaluation, and interpretation of literature. ... Karl Robert Eduard von Hartmann (February 23, 1842 – June 5, 1906), was a German philosopher. ...

Mori Ogai's statue at his house in Kokura Kita ward, Kitakyushu

A house which Mori lived in is preserved in Kokura Kita ward in Kitakyushu, not far from Kokura station. Here he wrote Kokura Nikki (Kokura diary). His birthhouse is also preserved in Tsuwano. The two one-story houses are remarkably similar in size and in their traditional Japanese style. Mori Ogais statue at his house preserved in Kokura Kita ward, Kitakyushu Photograph © Ian Ruxton, 3 April 2004. ... Mori Ogais statue at his house preserved in Kokura Kita ward, Kitakyushu Photograph © Ian Ruxton, 3 April 2004. ... Riverwalk Kitakyushu and Kokura castle moat in Kokura Kita-ku In Japan, Kokura Kita ward is the north part of what used to be Kokura City before the merger of five cities to create Kitakyushu city in 1963. ... Kitakyushu , literally North KyÅ«shÅ«) is a city located in Fukuoka prefecture, KyÅ«shÅ«, Japan. ... Riverwalk Kitakyushu and Kokura castle moat in Kokura Kita-ku In Japan, Kokura Kita ward is the north part of what used to be Kokura City before the merger of five cities to create Kitakyushu city in 1963. ... Kitakyushu , literally North KyÅ«shÅ«) is a city located in Fukuoka prefecture, KyÅ«shÅ«, Japan. ... Kokura Station with monorail tracks Kokura Station (小倉駅; -eki) in Kokura Kita ward is the main railway station in Kitakyushu, Japan. ... Kokura (小倉) is an ancient castle town and the center of KitakyÅ«shÅ«, Japan, guarding, via its suburb Moji, the Straits of Shimonoseki between HonshÅ« and KyÅ«shÅ«. Kokura is also the name of the penultimate station on the southbound Sanyo Shinkansen line, which is owned by JR KyÅ«shÅ« and... An attractive old street in Tsuwano Tsuwano (津和野町; Tsuwano-cho) is a town located in Kanoashi District, Shimane prefecture, Japan. ...

One of Mori's daughters, Mori Mari, influenced the Yaoi movement in contemporary Japanese literature. Mori Mari (1903-1987) was a Japanese author who, in 1962 with The Lovers Forest, began a movement of women writing about gay male passion. ... Cover of Fake by Sanami Matoh as published by TokyoPop. ...

Selected works

• Maihime (1890, 舞姫 The Dancing Girl)
• Utakata no ki (1890, Foam on the Waves)
• Fumizukai (1891, The Courier)
• Wita sekusuarisu (1909, ヰタ・セクスアリス Vita Sexualis)
• Seinen (1910)
• Gan (1911–13, 雁 The Wild Geese)
• Okitsu Yagoemon no isho (1912, The Last Testament of Okitsu Yagoemon)
• Sanshō Dayū (1915, 山椒大夫 Sanshō the Steward)
• Shibue Chūsai (1916)
• Takasebune (1916, 高瀬舟 The Boat on the Takase River)

The Dancing Girl (舞姫 Maihime) was the first major novel by the Japanese novelist Mori Ogai. ... Mori Ogais classical novel, The Wild Geese or The Wild Goose (1911–13, 雁 Gan) was first published in serial form in Japan, and tells the story of unfulfilled love set against a background of social change. ...

Translations

• The Historical Fiction of Mori Ôgai, ed. David A. Dilworth and J. Thomas Rimer. 1977. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1991. A one-volume paperback edition of an earlier two-volume collection of stories.
• Modern Japanese Stories: An Anthology, ed. Ivan Morris. 1961. Rutland, Vt.: Charles E. Tuttle, 1966. Contains "Under Reconstruction."
• Sansho-Dayu and Other Short Stories, trans. Tsutomu Fukuda. Tokyo: Hokuseido Press, 1970.
• Vita Sexualis, trans. Kazuji Ninomiya and Sanford Goldstein. 1972. Boston: Tuttle Publishing, 200.
• The Wild Geese, trans. Ochiai Kingo and Sanford Goldstein. Boston: Tuttle Publishing, 1959.
• The Wild Goose, trans. Burton Watson. 1995. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Center for Japanese Studies, 1998.
• Youth and Other Stories (collection of stories), ed. J. Thomas Rimer. 1994. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press, 1995

Source

• Japanese Literature Home Page biography

See also

• Kokura

Kokura (小倉) is an ancient castle town and the center of Kitakyūshū, Japan, guarding, via its suburb Moji, the Straits of Shimonoseki between Honshū and Kyūshū. Kokura is also the name of the penultimate station on the southbound Sanyo Shinkansen line, which is owned by JR Kyūshū and...

External links

• e-texts of Mori Ōgai 's works at Aozora bunko