Three perfectly balanced stories from one of Japan's greatest authorsA master forger lives in obscurity and disappointment, oppressed by the shadow of the artist whose work he copies.Unglamorous, unadorned lives such as this form the focus of Yasushi Inoue's tenderly observed, elegantly distilled short stories - two of which are appearing in English for the first time. With a haunting emotional intensity, they offer glimpses of love lost and lives wasted.These three luminous, compassionate tales showcase the mastery and exquisite talent of one of Japan's most beloved writers.Yasushi Inoue (1907-91) worked as a journalist and literary editor for many years, only beginning his prolific career as an author in 1949 with Bullfight. He went on to publish 50 novels and 150 short stories, both historical and contemporary, his work making him one of Japan's major literary figures. In 1976 Inoue was presented with the Order of Culture, the highest honour granted for artistic merit in Japan.