The Distance Between Sensei and Shosei in Natsume Soseki’s “Kokoro”: A Reexamination of the “Meiji Spirit”

This paper reexamines the “Meiji spirit” in Natsume Soseki’s Kokoro. The phrase “Meiji spirit”was written by the Sensei in his suicide note. Sensei tried to give value to the suicide note by using the phrase. This phrase reveals the conflict between the nationalism and the individualism. However, the phrase did not have a significant influence on Shosei（ student）. This is because the younger generation values individualism more. Also, Sensei did not want to make the suicide note public. Sensei wanted to show the suicide note only to selected people. However, Sensei’s plan went wrong. Shosei made Sensei’s suicide note public. It revealed the generation difference between Sensei and Shosei.