A Womanizer Monk

Pioneer of Modern Japanese Literature: Koda Rohan's Masterpiece Collection "Tales of Master Craftsmen"

Includes "The Elegant Buddha," "The Pagoda," and "The Single Sword," three masterpieces embodying the Japanese artisan spirit.

Influencing the literary world for over a century, on par with Ozaki Koyo, Tsubouchi Shoyo, and Mori Ogai.

Let the world mock my foolishness and slowness, let them ridicule my stubborn obsession.

Even if I die, there is nothing dirty within this flesh; only pure, passionate blood spills forth!

A Buddhist sculptor obsessed with love, channeling the anguish and regret of his deep affections into the blade of his chisel;

A simple-minded carpenter enduring humiliation, insults, and physical pain, solely to achieve artistic perfection;

A swordsmith driven to a dead end, forced to choose between death and forging a legendary sword;

—All the torment, obsession, and despair, only to achieve the ultimate beauty that will endure for generations!

Koda Rohan's representative masterpieces, "The Elegant Buddha," "The Pagoda," and "The Single Sword," depict craftsmen who defy worldly views and overcome difficulties. Upon their publication, these three novels resonated with the literary world and the general public, earning them the moniker "Tales of Master Craftsmen" and solidifying Rohan's status in the literary scene.

No matter their circumstances, the craftsmen in Rohan's stories consistently devote themselves wholeheartedly to honing their skills, perpetually striving for the ultimate ideal. They imbue objects with their souls, manifesting their lifelong dedication in a statue, a tile, a sword hilt. This endless pursuit of aesthetics is akin to Rohan himself, who maintained an enduring passion for Japanese tradition and classical beauty throughout his life. These stories are also like the most sincere hymns, dedicated to all creators who sacrifice themselves for art.