52 Quotes by Kenzaburō Ōe

In the recent years there have been criticisms levelled against Japan suggesting that she should offer more military forces to the United Nations forces and thereby play a more active role in the keeping and restoration of peace in various parts of the world.

Of course I would not presume to rank myself with the poetic genius Yeats. I am merely a humble follower living in a country far removed from his.

On the other hand, the culture of modern Japan, which implied being thoroughly open to the West or at least that impeded understanding by the West.

What was more, Japan was driven into isolation from other Asian countries, not only politically but also socially and culturally.

As I grew up, I was continually to suffer hardships in different realms of life - in my family, in my relationship to Japanese society and in my way of living at large in the latter half of the twentieth century.

During the last few years I have been engaged in writing a trilogy which I wish to be the culmination of my literary activities.

The ideal teacher student relationship exists when the student is better than the teacher.

I don't think young people need to see the face of the deceased.

To talk of prayer after admitting he professed no faith was, in my opinion, a breach of common courtesy. In this sense, he did make a social blunder, for which I think he well deserved some minor castigation.