Life of an Amorous Man

Ihara Saikaku is one of Japan's most important early writers. He created the genre known as Ukiyo-zoshi, a written companion to the famous Japanese Ukiyo-e prints, showcasing the "floating world" and decadent lifestyles of the Japanese pleasure quarters of the 16th century. As a book, "The Life of an Amorous Man" is the story of Yonosuke ("man of the world"), an alternately wealthy and poor dilettante, who seeks the pleasures of woman and wine, living wholly for sensuality. His story is told in a sequence of short stories, with each segment being some new romantic adventure. Yonosuke journeys throughout Japan, experiencing the delights of the pleasure quarters of the far away places of Edo, Kyoto, Osaka and many, many small towns and islands in between. The book offers an incredible insight into this particular vanished Japanese culture, displaying the social rules and attitudes prevalent at the time. Ihara is a writer noted for his realism, and you can be sure that this is a true portrait of the times. Those expecting anything "naughty" will be disappointed, as the intimacies are more implied than anything else. All the prostitutes and pleasure seekers are treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their station in life. It is interesting to note that the translator chose the term "Gay Quarters" for the pleasure quarters of Japan. This does not mean homosexuality, which is translated using different terms. However, at the time in Japan sex between men was not frowned upon, and there is some in here as well. "The Life of an Amorous Man" is an enjoyable read, with good characters and great insights into an interesting period of Japan and Japanese culture. One can still see the reflection of these pleasure districts in Japan today, with their social rules and delights.