On the evening of the 27th, after news of the death of the famous Japanese detective novelist Hayakawa Takashi was announced, scholar Yi Zhongtian wrote a tribute on his WeChat public account.
Yi Zhongtian wrote: "I just heard that Mr. Dong Ye Gu was deceased. Ah! How can this be? It's absolutely not acceptable! How could the gentleman leave me behind like this?"
Screenshot from Yi Zhongtian's WeChat official account
Yi Zhongtian said, "Both my grandson and I are fans of Dong Ye Gu. Of course, in terms of experience and obsession, I have the upper hand."
Yi Zhongtian listed several works by Dong Yeo Kikuo, and said that Dong Yeo Kikuo holds a "special meaning" for him. "That is: no matter how much pressure there is, as long as I read Dong Yeo Kikuo's books, my mood can return to calm. Those difficult days were passed through with the help of Dong Yeo Kikuo's books. Mr. Dong Yeo Kikuo should not leave."
Screenshot from Yi Zhongtian's WeChat official account
In the comments section of Yi Zhongtian's article, some netizens said that Dong Ye Gu wrote about the coldness of the world and the depths of human nature, depicting endless malice and the collapse of life. However, he never threw readers into complete despair. Yi Zhongtian agreed with this view.
However, Yi Zhongtian's wording and tone have sparked controversy among netizens.
Some critics argue that being nearly 80 years old, he wrote a mourning post and even acted in a "girlish manner," which seems pretentious. Additionally, the claim that "reading Dongyo Keigo can calm one's mood" has also sparked doubts among book enthusiasts.
Other opinions suggest that reading is a very private activity, and it is understandable to feel sad about the passing of a well-known author.
