Abstract: Natsume Soseki is an intellectual who has profound influence on Japan in modern times. He is not only a writer but also a thinker. Civilization criticism is one of the themes of his literature and thought. Under the background of rapid development of the Japanese civilization, he made a reflection and critique of modernization. Natsume thought that modernization includes the inherent contradiction, it’s “unnatural”, while “natural” modernization should be “innermade”; modernization is accompanied by the abuse of human understanding and alienation, only the mind conversion of “anatman” can treat this disease; Seeking fame and gain is closely related to excessive intellectual ingenuity, it is the departure from the nature. These thoughts are consistent with Taoist philosophy such as respecting for nature, criticism of cleverness, advocate no himself, beyond fame and full of fidelity. The fundamental features of Taoism philosophy of civilization criticism make it become an important resource for Natsume Soseki’s reflection and criticism of modern civilization.

Key words: Natsume Soseki, civilization criticism, Laozi and Zhuangzi, Taoism