Diary of a Mad Old Man

“Old age is a shipwreck.”

Diary of a Mad Old Man follows the aging protagonist Tokusuke Utsugi, a wealthy retired businessman who keeps a diary detailing his physical decline, erotic obsessions, and complex relationships with his family. The novel unfolds through his fragmented, often darkly humorous entries.

Early Entries: Physical Decline and Obsession

Tokusuke, in his late seventies, suffers from various ailments, including gout and heart problems. Despite his frailty, he remains fixated on his daughter-in-law Satsuko, whose beauty and cruelty fascinate him. He indulges in fantasies about her while acknowledging his own impotence and mortality.

Manipulation and Power Struggles

Tokusuke’s infatuation leads him to financially support Satsuko, who exploits his weakness for her own gain. His son Jokichi is aware of the dynamic but remains passive. The old man’s diary entries reveal his self-awareness of being manipulated, yet he willingly plays along, finding pleasure in his own humiliation.

Health Deterioration and Reflection

As his health worsens, Tokusuke becomes increasingly preoccupied with his impending death. He reflects on his past, his failed marriage, and his strained relationship with his son. His entries grow more introspective, blending regret, dark humor, and a resigned acceptance of his fate.

The Final Descent

In the closing sections, Tokusuke’s physical and mental state deteriorates further. His obsession with Satsuko persists, but he recognizes the futility of his desires. The diary ends abruptly, leaving his ultimate fate ambiguous but underscoring the inevitability of decay and death.

Key Ideas

• The fragility of aging and the body’s betrayal
• Erotic obsession as a means of defying mortality
• Power dynamics in familial relationships
• Self-deception and the allure of humiliation
• The intersection of desire and decay