Nosaka Akiyuki flashed meteorically onto the literary scene in the early 1960s with devastatingly witty and poignantly moving tales of wartime adolescence. His writing initiated a new venue for fiction, which he would call "the fire-bombed ruins/black market" school of literature. But like the youth Nosaka describes for himself-- always running, always seeking some form of escape--Nosaka refused to confine his talents or energies to the literary establishment. Once he had established a reputation for himself as a credible writer he moved on to other exploits such as singing and acting, and he became as recognizable as a rebel in dark glasses as he was as a notable writer.

Nosaka Akiyuki was born on 10 October 1930 in Kamakura. His father, Sukeyuki, worked for the Tokyo government in the construction division. His mother, Nui, died three months after his birth. Unable to attend to the needs of a newborn...