Soseki and Hojoki (Kamono Chomei)

Abstract

Soseki, a pessimist sympathized with the author of Hojoki. He quoted the book in his letter to Shiki dated August 9, 1890 as being similar to his philosophy on life. He was obviously interested in Hojoki at this time, and the fact was to be corroborated when he translated the work into English in 1891. When he was sent to England to study ten years later he considered his life of agony and anxiety in relation to Hojoki. He deeply sympathized with it because he was always possessed with the thoughts on "existence".