Soseki’s novels “Rondon-to” and “Karairu-hakubutsukan” for which he used materials taken from his experiences in Europe, have already been analysed in some detail by scholars. Also, the definite influence of European paintings has been pointed out, especially in “Kairoko”.
In addition, investigations of facts, such as research on his old lodgings, have accumulated in recent years. Thus, theories of his works are mere theories of the texts, and their relationship to painting and biographical facts are raised independently. Therefore, these studies tend to be left separate from each other. Surely there is a way of looking at them which would unite the separate factors. Here I have searched for the inner workings of the relationship between his European experiences and his activities as a writer, by establishing his self-expression from a universal viewpoint, while concentrating on “Eijitsushohin”， which until now has not attracted very much attention from scholars.
Whatever aspects one considers ——such as the criticism of civilization which forms the heart of his subject material; the themes; the dialectic thoughts based on contradictory elements; the choice of the genres, or the layering of keywords like “cloud” and “mist”—— if Soseki had not had his experience in Europe, his birth as a writer would not have taken place. Moreover, concerning the start of his writing and its development, I have confirmed the link between his European experience and his later activities as a writer.
