Vita Sexualis

1909 novel by Mori Ōgai

Vita Sexualis (ヰタ・セクスアリス, Wita Sekusuarisu) is an erotic novel published in 1909 by Mori Ōgai in the 7th issue of the literary journal Subaru.[1][2] The protagonist of the novel, Shizuka Kanei, is understood to be a semi-fictionalized autobiographical representation of Mori Ōgai.[3]

Censorship

Three weeks after its publication, Vita Sexualis was promptly banned from circulation by the Japanese Government due to its content. The story was deemed to be "dangerous to public morals", making the issue of Subaru where it appeared completely out of print.[4]

References

  1. ^ Nakai, Yoshiyuki (1980). "Literary Techniques and Themes in Vita Sexualis". Monumenta Nipponica. 35 (2): 223–239. doi:10.2307/2384339. JSTOR 2384339.
  2. ^ "Parody and Pathology in Mori Ogai's 'Vita Sexualis'". Berkeley: University of California Press. Archived from the original on June 9, 2007. Retrieved March 7, 2010.
  3. ^ McLelland, Mark. "Bishōnen". Japanese Media and Popular Culture: An Open-Access Digital Initiative of the University of Tokyo. Retrieved 2020-06-07.
  4. ^ Keene, Donald (1999). Dawn to the West: A History of Japanese Literature. Columbia University Press. ISBN 9780231114356.

External links

  • Complete Japanese text on aozora.gr.jp
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