[Large Print Book] Osamu Dazai's "New Interpretation of Stories from Various Provinces" (Kyorinsha's Large Print Book Series)

[From Wikipedia] "Shinshaku Shokoku Banashi" (New Interpretation of Tales from Various Provinces) is a collection of Dazai Osamu's works. It consists of 12 short stories. It was published by Seikatsusha on January 27, 1945 (Showa 20). The retail price was 2 yen 60 sen. The book is based on the works of Ihara Saikaku and is infused with Dazai's unique style. In the "Preface" at the beginning, Dazai states the following:

"I titled it Shinshaku Shokokubanashi (New Interpretation of Stories from Various Provinces) because I wanted to add furigana to it, which would make it seem like this is my best work, but this is by no means a modern translation of Saikaku. (Omitted) Saikaku is the greatest writer in the world. Not even the brilliant minds of Merimee and Maupassant can come close to him. If my work like this helps people to trust Saikaku's greatness even more deeply, then my humble work will not seem meaningless.