Kyusaku Yumeno。1889-1936。Novelist, soldier, Zen monk
Dogra Magra is a novel considered to be one of Kyusaku Yumeno's masterpieces. Along with Mushitaro Oguri's "The Black Death Mansion Murders" and Hideo Nakai's "A Sacrifice to Nothingness," it is counted among the three greatest bizarre Japanese detective novels. I didn't know it was one of the three greatest bizarre novels, but I picked it up because of the impact of the cover. It's a work that makes you understand why there are as many interpretations as there are readers. It's said that reading it can cause mental instability, so I read it only when I had time and was mentally prepared.
The story begins with a patient in a mental hospital. As you read on, you'll discover that the Nine Stages of Decomposition are a key element. The Nine Stages of Decomposition are a traditional motif and concept in Japanese painting. They are Buddhist paintings depicting the nine stages of decay of a corpse left outdoors. The transformation of the corpse is depicted in nine scenes, starting with the immediate post-death state, gradually decomposing into blood and flesh, being devoured by animals and birds, and often ending with the ninth scene showing scattered bones or the burial. In modern times, this concept has been used in the works of painter Fuyuko Matsui and photographer Manabu Miyazaki.
Also, it seems that Dogra Magra has been made into a film by director Toshio Matsumoto, and it has received good reviews. I will be launching a film review account in August, where I will be introducing fashion-related films on YouTube. This is a film I would like to watch before then. It's fun to go from the original book to the film, and vice versa, as it deepens your understanding.
First reading completed on 2018/01/13
Thank you for reading. Goodbye for now. Take care :)
Author: Kyusaku Yumeno Publisher: Kadokawa Shoten (#) Paperback: 324 pages (Volume 1), 382 pages (Volume 2)
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