Quotations from literary masters: messages from authors who weave captivating works.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.

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.

Quotes from literary masters. Messages from authors who weave captivating works (21–30)

Life has a way of opening and closing paths at unexpected times.Saneatsu Mushanokōji

Along with Naoya Shiga and others, Saneatsu Mushanokōji launched the magazine Shirakaba and wrote not only novels but also biographies and essays on art.

Leaving behind many works with the theme of love for humanity, he was a writer who continually gazed at the happiness hidden in everyday life.

These words teach us to accept that life is unpredictable and to adapt flexibly to change.

Even amid difficulties, one can find hope and sense an attitude of living everyday life positively.

The message that embracing life’s uncertainties can open the way to the future offers deep resonance and courage to contemporary readers as well.

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mutō

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As long as you are aware, any kind of life can have profound meaning.Kafu Nagai

If you feel like your days are dull and uneventful, why not read these words and try shifting your perspective? These are the words of novelist Nagai Kafū, known for works such as “American Stories” and “A Strange Tale from East of the River.” By slightly changing how you view each day and living with care, you can notice small moments of happiness and things you hadn’t seen before, giving your life more meaning and richness.

Even things that seem pointless at first might reveal some meaning if you look at them from a different angle!

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SAKI

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Quotes from literary masters: Messages from authors who weave compelling works (31–40)

Urban life is impersonal, and therefore it accords with a far more refined and noble morality.Hagiwara Sakutarō

This is a famous quote by Sakutaro Hagiwara, also known as the “father of modern Japanese poetry.” He was a mandolin player and also studied guitar.

It’s said that Hagiwara’s performances were filled with emotion.

He was also known for often telling his daughter, “In music, precise tempo and emotion are important.” I hope you can sense the depth of these words through Hagiwara’s works.

Beyond his novels, there are places in cities like Tokyo and Sapporo where you can encounter Hagiwara’s words.

If this quote intrigues you, please do explore his works.

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kepiko

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Life isn’t something that can be neatly wrapped up with clear-cut endings.Hayama Yoshiki

We tend to want to make everything black and white in modern times, but life is by no means something in which everything becomes clear.

These words were spoken by Yoshiki Hayama, considered a leading figure in proletarian literature that depicted the realities of people placed in harsh working conditions.

It is human nature to desire clear answers to what we seek.

Yet these words suggest that precisely because some things cannot be decided definitively, life and the world can be interesting.

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SAKI

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced some famous quotes from literary masters—what did you think? While these authors convey a variety of messages in their works, they also share many words of wisdom outside of them, as you can see.

If any quote caught your attention, be sure to explore that author’s works as well.