Pathway to Japanese Literature
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Hina DollsAuthor: Akutagawa Ryūnosuke
| Original Title | 雛 |
|---|---|
| Author | 芥川 竜之介 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In Meiji-era Japan, a once-prosperous family grapples with fading fortunes, forced to part with their cherished heirloom Hina dolls—exquisite symbols of tradition crafted with coral and silk. The teenage narrator’s stern father reluctantly agrees to sell them to an American collector, pressured by her modern-minded brother who scorns “obsolete” customs. Amidst financial ruin and her mother’s worsening illness, the girl’s longing to glimpse the dolls one last time clashes with her father’s rigid principles. Tensions simmer: a weeping mother stitches in lamplight, a brother’s harsh pragmatism masks guilt, and whispered arguments echo through their fire-scarred home. On the eve of the sale, a clandestine midnight scene reveals hidden tenderness, blurring lines between duty and devotion. This poignant tale weaves familial strife with the quiet erosion of heritage, asking what endures when treasured objects—and the memories they hold—are swept into an uncaring new world. |
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