Natsume Sōseki had a huge impact on modern Japanese literature. Let's break down some of the ways he influenced writers today.

1. Understanding Feelings:

   • Sōseki was one of the first to really explore how people think and feel in his stories. This opened the door for other writers to do the same. His famous books, like "Kusamakura" (1906) and "Kokoro" (1914), showed deep emotions and struggles inside characters. This style inspired writers like Yukio Mishima and Kobo Abe.

2. Writing Style:

   • He mixed Western writing techniques into his own style, especially the "stream of consciousness," where thoughts flow like a river. You can see this in the works of writers such as Yasunari Kawabata and Jun’ichirō Tanizaki. Sōseki's writing is smooth and natural, with more than half of his stories blending different writing styles together.

3. Cultural Themes:

   • A lot of Sōseki's stories talk about the clash between old traditions and new modern ideas. This theme is still very important today, as over 70% of new novels deal with similar ideas. His work continues to be relevant to modern authors.

In short, Sōseki's focus on understanding emotions, his unique writing style, and his exploration of culture have built a strong foundation for modern Japanese literature.