A novel that provokes the mind[2] and examines the relationship between life events, it is considered one of Kawabata's best works, though it has on occasion been criticised for its depictions of female homosexuality.

[3] Opening on the train to Kyoto, the narrative, in characteristic Kawabata fashion, subtly brings up issues of tradition and modernity as it explores writer Oki Toshio's reunion with a young lover from his past, Otoko Ueno, who is now a famous artist and recluse.

Yasunari Kawabata's literature often revolved around mysticism, sensualism, and tragedy; All factors present in Beauty and Sadness.

Despite the presence of his family, the novelist's loneliness was thought to have compelled him to visit his ex-lover and affair partner, Otoko Ueno.

[2] Although her relationship with Keiko was revealed to be that of lovers, readers have noticed that there were never any explicit description of intimate moments between the two women outside of the indication that they share a bed together.

She is known in the plot to be extremely attached to her lover,[2] whom she refers to as sensē (teacher),[3] to the extent of wanting to take revenge on behalf of her.

[7] The matter was made controversial by some critics when taken into account that Keiko had never explicitly defined her sexuality, with the only indication of her being lesbian was her hate for men.

One instance that was particularly pulled apart was when he did not object when Keiko confirmed their plans of marriage to his mother, allowing her to manipulate his life.

[5] Beauty and Sadness was first serialised between January 1961 and October 1963 in Fujin Kōron and published in book form in 1965 by Chūō Kōronsha.