Pathway to Japanese Literature
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Listening to the RainAuthor: Oda Sakunosuke
| Original Title | 聴雨 |
|---|---|
| Author | 織田 作之助 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In the winter of 1937, the shogi world buzzes with anticipation as Sankichi Sakata, a reclusive and self-proclaimed master, emerges from sixteen years of silence to challenge two reigning champions. Known for his defiant, unorthodox style—dubbed “Sakata Shogi”—the aging player’s return sparks controversy. Once a peasant boy who sacrificed everything for the game, Sakata’s life has been marked by poverty, familial strife, and a reputation for moves so audacious they left opponents stunned. Now, at sixty-eight, he faces Kimura and Hanada, titans of modern shogi, in matches framed as a clash between tradition and innovation. \nThe narrative lingers on Sakata’s fragility: his daughter Tamae tending to him in Kyoto’s bitter cold, his whispered regrets over a wife who died resenting his obsession. Yet his first move—a baffling pawn push defying all convention—reignites whispers of his genius. Is this the resurgence of a legend or the last gasp of a stubborn man? Through rain-soaked temples and whispered strategies, the story weaves tension between Sakata’s crumbling body and unyielding spirit, inviting readers into a world where every move carries the weight of a lifetime’s sacrifices—and where legacy hangs by a thread. |
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