Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
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| Original Title | おじいさんのランプ |
|---|---|
| Author | 新美 南吉 |
| Genre | Children's Literature |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a secluded Japanese village still shrouded in darkness, an orphaned boy named Minosuke yearns for purpose beyond his meager existence. His world is forever altered during a trip to a vibrant town, where he witnesses the mesmerizing glow of glass lamps, igniting a powerful ambition: to bring this "Civilization and Enlightenment" back to his home. Against formidable odds, Minosuke painstakingly builds a life, transforming into a respected lamp seller who illuminates not just houses, but lives. Yet, as his success shines brightest, a new, formidable light dawns—electricity. This revolutionary innovation threatens to extinguish everything Minosuke has built, forcing him to confront the relentless march of progress and a heartbreaking choice. Can one man preserve his life's passion against the inevitable tide of change, or will he be forced to sacrifice his past for an uncertain future? |
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