Quotations from literary masters: messages from authors who weave captivating works.
The literary masters who have created countless works that captivate readers’ hearts.
Adept at wielding words, they left behind many memorable sayings beyond their writings.
In this article, we introduce famous quotes spoken by these literary giants.
We’ve selected words from a variety of authors—those whose works have had a profound impact on people, those whose writings appear in school textbooks, and even those depicted as characters in manga.
Please enjoy this world of words spun by great writers—a realm distinct from their works themselves.
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Quotes from literary masters. Messages from authors who weave captivating works (1–10)
In every corner of life, and even in circumstances that seem dull, there is still hope.Kikuchi Kan
Kikuchi Kan, who was active as a novelist, playwright, and journalist, is known not only for founding the publishing house Bungeishunjū but also for his involvement in establishing literary awards such as the Akutagawa and Naoki Prizes.
The following words, from a figure who left a profound mark on the literary world, express a way of thinking about life’s opportunities.
Even when your surroundings or circumstances may seem insignificant to others, there is still a path to seize opportunities, and discerning that path leads to results.
Rather than despairing over your situation and coming to a halt, his message inspires us to consider what we can do within the circumstances we have.
Life is like a box of matches. It’s absurd to treat it too seriously, yet dangerous not to treat it seriously.Ryūnosuke Akutagawa
Ryunosuke Akutagawa, who sharply depicted the essence of society and the human psyche, is a figure remembered in Japanese literature for short stories such as Rashomon.
While teaching that in life there is no need to overthink or overinterpret, he also conveys the importance of approaching things with caution at times.
Many of his works portray how small events in life can have profound consequences, and his insights offer readers a perspective for reexamining their own actions and choices.
Even today, his lessons remain an enduring message that resonates with people’s hearts.
Creation is the ability to invent a new future while using the past and present as its materials.Akiko Yosano
A pioneer among women in Japanese literature who gained popularity with Tangled Hair, Akiko Yosano championed the importance of freedom and creativity through her poetry and criticism.
These words signify the value of creative power that forges a new future while grounded in the knowledge and experiences of the past and present.
They convey an attitude of breaking through traditional frameworks and pursuing passionate, unrestrained expression.
The message tells us that creativity is not about comparing ourselves to others, but about expanding our own possibilities.
Even today, it offers timeless insights that can be applied to study, work, and ways of thinking.
Quotes from literary masters. Messages from authors who weave captivating works (11–20)
There isn’t a single thing in this world that does not pass away. At the very least, I want to leave sincerity behind among them.Tōson Shimazaki
Tōson Shimazaki was a literary giant active from the Meiji to the Shōwa era, known for representative works such as The Collection of Young Herbs and Spring.
These are words left by Shimazaki, a poet and novelist, that seem to depict the changing world and an ideal way of living within it.
He says that life is something that passes in an instant as the present accumulates, and that he wants to follow the path he believes in amid the flow of time.
It’s a message that prompts us to ask whether we are truly living fully in the present and whether we might be able to push ourselves a little further—words that could serve as a catalyst for thinking about the future.
It’s a mistake to think that the same time is flowing for everyone.Yasunari Kawabata
Yasunari Kawabata, the first Japanese recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, was a writer who depicted traditional Japanese beauty and the movements of emotion.
His words suggest the importance of understanding that time and perception differ from person to person and of respecting others.
In his works, he delicately portrays characters experiencing different values and senses of time.
His message teaches us that accepting differences with others can provide opportunities to gain new perspectives.
These words will resonate with people today as a hint for understanding diversity and deepening empathy.
Life is something you create. There is no such thing as an inevitable form.Ango Sakaguchi
Ango Sakaguchi, known for his essays and novels such as “On Decadence” and “In the Forest, Under Cherries in Full Bloom,” made his mark on modern Japanese literature in the postwar period, releasing many works with a keen critical spirit and a free-thinking mind.
These words convey the power of will to shape one’s life with one’s own hands rather than living passively.
They reflect his authorship, which repeatedly portrays the theme that breaking through tradition and fixed ideas—and making free choices—forms the essence of being human.
It is a memorable saying that emphasizes the importance of valuing one’s own convictions without being bound by established ways.
Because there is darkness, there is light. And those who have emerged from the darkness are the ones who truly understand the value of light the most.Takiji Kobayashi
Here is a famous quote by Takiji Kobayashi, best known for his masterpiece Crab-Canning Ship (Kanikōsen).
His words continue along the lines of: “Because there is darkness, there is light.
And those who have come out of the darkness understand the true value of light the most.” Even if things are hard now, perhaps it’s precisely because we know this that we can feel a brighter future.
Some readers may find his novels tough, but the author, Takiji Kobayashi, is known for being a very cheerful person.
If the words resonate with you, take an interest in the author as well, and by all means, read his novels.
