Brilliant novel, classical in style, about a friendship between a young man, struggling with emotional and moral dilemmas, and his old master called the teacher (sensei). Sensei reveals a secret from his past that suddenly paints him in a bad light. The story speaks of loneliness, rejection and a deep sense of guilt – the motifs recurring in all works of Japanese literature from the 20th century. This is one of the classical novels that evokes in readers a feeling of nostalgy for Japan that is never to return.