Sakaguchi Ango's "Discourse on Decadence" (Daraku-ron) is a provocative and influential essay that challenges conventional morality and offers a radical perspective on post-war Japanese society. Written in 1946, this seminal work explores the liberating potential of "decadence" and argues for embracing human desires and imperfections as a path to authentic living. With its bold ideas and captivating prose, Ango's essay continues to intrigue readers and spark debates about individuality, social norms, and the nature of human existence in times of upheaval. Sakaguchi Ango's "Discourse on Decadence" (Daraku-ron) was published in April 1946, immediately after World War II, against the backdrop of chaos and the collapse of values in Japanese society. At this time, Japan was The breakdown of social order following defeat in the war. A significant shaking of previously held moral and ethical values. A forced, rapid shift from wartime ideologies. Faced with this turbulent era, Ango deeply contemplated the essence of human nature. He observed the dramatically changed social conditions before and after the war, exploring the concept of inherent "decadence" in human nature. The core of Ango's argument lies in the following The insight that humans inherently possess a nature of "decadence." The idea that people don't become decadent because they lost the war, but that decadence is an essential part of human nature. The recognition that humans are contradictory beings who can never fully succumb to decadence. "Discourse on Decadence" provided a new perspective for post-war Japanese people, prompting a fundamental reconsideration of conventional morals and values. Through this work, Ango encouraged readers to confront the essential nature of humanity and explore new ways of living in a new era.
Author
From Niigata, Sakaguchi (坂口安吾) was one of a group of young Japanese writers to rise to prominence in the years immediately following Japan's defeat in World War II. In 1946 he wrote his most famous essay, titled "Darakuron" ("On Decadence"), which examined the role of bushido during the war. It is widely argued that he saw postwar Japan as decadent, yet more truthful than a wartime Japan built on illusions like bushido. Ango was born in 1906, and was the 12th child of 13. He was born in the middle of a Japan perpetually at war. His father was the president of the Niigata Shinbun (Newspaper), a politician, and a poet. Ango wanted to be a writer at 16. He moved to Tokyo at 17, after hitting a teacher who caught him truanting. His father died from brain cancer the following year, leaving his family in massive debt. At 20, Ango taught for a year as a substitute teacher following secondary school. He became heavily involved in Buddhism and went to University to study Indian philosophy, graduating at the age of 25. Throughout his career as a student, Ango was very vocal in his opinions. He wrote various works of literature after graduating, receiving praise from writers such as Makino Shin’ichi. His literary career started around the same time as Japan’s expansion into Manchuria. He met his wife to be, Yada Tsuseko, at 27. His mother died when he was 37, in the middle of World War II. He struggled for recognition as a writer for years before finally finding it with “A Personal View of Japanese Culture” in 1942, and again with “On Decadence” in 1946. That same year, the Emperor formally declared himself a human being, not a god. Ango had a child at 48 with his second wife, Kaji Michio. He died from a brain aneurysm at age 48 in 1955.
