Abstract

“Human beings are not equal. You may say that’s wrong, the world shouldn’t be like that – but it’s the truth. Regardless of the nature of reality, you are born into this world, and so you have the responsibility to be happy.”
Tsuneari Fukuda was a scholar of English literature best known for translating Shakespeare’s works into Japanese. Originally written for an audience of young people, My Theory of Happiness outlines his personal philosophy of life. He discusses looks, education, sex, romantic love, marriage and other perennial human concerns, addressing how we should live our lives and the true nature of happiness. Instead of pushing unattainable ideals, he guides us towards ways of thinking that allow us to take a level-headed look at reality – and within that reality find happiness for ourselves. His book contains clear, simple advice that still has relevance today, delivered with an honesty as refreshing and provocative as when it was written seventy years ago.

Author’s Information

(1912-1994) was born in Tokyo. After gaining a degree in English literature from Tokyo University, he worked as a middle school teacher, magazine editor and university lecturer before embarking on a literary career. He won the Yomiuri Prize for Literature on three occasions: for his play The Man Who Stroked the Dragon (1953), his critique of Japanese script reform My Japanese Language Classroom (1961) and his translation of the Complete Works of Shakespeare (1967). In addition, he received numerous awards – including the Kishida Theatre Prize, the Minister of Education Prize for Fine Arts and the Japan Translation Culture Prize – for his achievements in translating the works of Shakespeare, theatre direction and literature.