Summary

Kokoro, published in 1914, is set during the Meiji era (1868-1912), a period of rapid modernization and cultural upheaval in Japan. The novel explores the psychological and moral struggles of individuals caught between traditional Japanese values and the encroaching influence of Western thought. Understanding the Meiji-era tension between old communal ethics and new individualism is essential to appreciating the emotional depth of the relationships depicted in the text.