“Danchotei Nichijo” is a diary by Kafu Nagai. From September 16, 1917 (Taisho 6) to April 29, 1959 (Showa 34), the day before his death, it chronicles the turbulent times and criticisms thereof, along with the poet's sense of the seasons. Some consider it Kafu's greatest masterpiece, both as a literary work and as a historical document of modern history (a diary of the war's defeat). In 1917, at the age of 37, Kafu was already an established up-and-coming writer. He had resigned as a professor at Keio University the previous year and returned to Okubo Yochomachi, Ushigome Ward, Tokyo, where he had once lived with his parents and siblings. He named a corner of his residence "Danchotei" (due to his chronic intestinal illness). He planted begonias in the garden (also known as "Danchoka," or "broken-hearted flower"). "Nichijo" is another name for a diary. Before the war, he feared the authorities' censorship and did not show it to his acquaintances. Even to the bookbinder, he kept it secret. When rumors spread that Kafu was keeping a diary, he erased dangerous descriptions and hid it in his shoe locker before going out, but eventually, he was ashamed of his cowardice and abandoned it. It is written in a classical Chinese style, praised for its excellent prose. It records the day's weather, household chores, visitors, publishing negotiations, outings, meals, friendships, the state of his walks, the scenery of the town, customs, social conditions, rumors, prices, criticism of the government, reading, and impressions after reading, sometimes adding hand-written sketches and maps. His acquaintances included women, and his destinations included pleasure quarters and red-light districts, even listing the names of familiar women. Also, because he was very opinionated, he wrote scathing words about writers he disliked, such as Kan Kikuchi, whom he considered an enemy. He never neglected reading until his later years, and there are many descriptions of reading Edo period books and literary works in French. Many argue that "the pinnacle of Danchotei Nichijo is the description of the burning down of his home, Henkikan, on March 9, 1945." Even during his escape from the air raid on Tokyo, he continued to write, carrying the diary manuscript with him. From Wikipedia. ※ I believe this is a masterpiece of diary literature, including Kafu's artistic views (Kafu's Edo period interests are remarkable), his views on people (he harshly criticizes Kan Kikuchi of Bungei Shunju, etc.), and his satirical stance on social conditions (he expresses his anger at the verdict of the Great Treason Incident of the Meiji era and the corruption of political parties and the radical ideas of the military before and during the war). This is a 7-volume set of Kafu Nagai's "Danchotei Nichijo," first published by Iwanami Shoten in September 1980 (to March 1981), with obi (volume 1 is repaired, volume 3 is missing the obi). There is little aging discoloration, and there are no stains, writing, or library stamps. Please consider purchasing, understanding that it is a 44-year-old used book.