Reporter: What do you think about Dazai? Sakaguchi: He is one of the great authors. He is an author that possesses a keen observation of humans. He will most likely remain one of the world’s top authors. I am very proud of the fact that Japan gave birth to Dazai. Even in France you would be hard pressed to find an author with his talents. This type of writing that observes humanity is not mainstream, but there are few in literary history able to write like him, coming from a sub-stream writing circle. With that in mind, the Japanese can take pride in him. It is possible that he is one of the greatest. I hold his works in high esteem, like rakugo. I think it is the greatest, rakugo, and one should not speak ill of this. Rakugo is enjoyable and amusing. If it is a piece that extends joy eternally, then that merits being called one of the greats. Dazai is one of the greatest rakugo authors, therefore he will have a place in history.
Sakaguchi Ango, “Eroticism and Literature” Interview
