YDS READING PASSAGES / TEST 3 40. Soru

-14. OGAI MORI (1862-1922)

One of the greatest influences on Japanese literature was a medical doctor. At the end of the 19th century, Ogai Mori helped to modernise both the Japanese medicine and Japanese literature. Ogai Mori, whose real name was Rintaro Mori, was born in Tsuwano, Japan, on February 17, 1862. He graduated from the University of Tokyo medical school, and from 1884 to 1888, studied in Germany as a military' doctor. This stay in Europe affected him profoundly, and he returned home convinced that Japan should embrace the best of European culture and medicine, but selectively, without recklessly destroying traditional Japanese ways. In 1893, he was appointed head of Japan's military academy, but his literary career had already begun. His first story The Dancing Girl, a tale based on friends he had made in Germany, was published in Japanese in 1890. This caused a sensation among Japanese writers, who had a tradition of composing less personal works, and the course of Japanese fiction was changed. Mori's most popular novel, The Wild Goose, was also based on his own experiences. After 1912, Mori concentrated on more factual, historical works, often with samurai warriors as their heroes. These books were less emotional than his earlier novels, but they had a striking, powerful style.

According to the passage, Ogai Mori believed that ------ .