⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒ Amazing book following the life of a teacher. I love male characters who I'd probably hate if I knew them in real life. This book was published in 1906 and presents a different Japan than the Japan we know today which I really liked! From their sandals to the way the school's classroom was set up, it was all described so very well and made you feel like you lived in that world. It was super interesting to read, and though lots of people say the protagonist isn’t likable which makes the book unbearable, I don’t think that’s a good reason to not like the book. A main character's personality doesn't dictate how good a book is. Anyways, it’s a very slice-of-life type of book. When reading this book, you have to be willing to indulge in the life of a random previously rich teacher. For me, it was super interesting, given the era it took place in. I really enjoyed this. If you like books set in older times and reading about the descriptive daily life of an era you don’t live in, then this book will hit the spot.