Background
Zenzō Kasai was born in what is now part of Hirosaki, Aomori, as the eldest son of a rice merchant.
葛西 善蔵
Zenzō Kasai was born in what is now part of Hirosaki, Aomori, as the eldest son of a rice merchant.
Waseda University.
He was only able to receive a primary school education. After working as an employee of a railroad, and as a forester, he saved up enough money to take classes at Toyo University and Waseda University, he met aspiring author Kazuo Hirotsu, and ended up as a disciple of author Tokuda Shusei. He studied philosophy, literature and English literature, but dropped out of school when he felt that he had learned enough (and when his money ran out).
In 1912, Kasai joined Shigeo Funaki and Kazuo Hirotsu in founding a new literary magazine, Kiseki ("Miracle"), and contributed various works to lieutenant
Kasai wrote novels in an autobiographical naturalist style, which was a forerunner of the "I novel". In 1918, he published Ko o tsuretete ("With Children in Tow") in the Waseda Bungaku magazine.
In his subsequent stories and novels, struggles against poverty, illness, alcoholism, and loneliness are constant themes. His major works include Kanashiki chichi ("Mourning Father", 1912), Akuma ("Devil", 1912), and Kohan Nikki ("Lakeside Diary", 1924).
Kasai lived in Kamakura, Kanagawa for many years, due to the presence of many fellow writers, and because the sea air was considered healthier for his weak lungs.
His grave is at the temple of Kencho-ji in Kamakura.