Pathway to Japanese Literature
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| Original Title | 舞馬 |
|---|---|
| Author | 牧 逸馬 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a quiet town steeped in tradition, Minekichi—a gruff fire brigade deputy captain—navigates life with his younger wife O-Yae and their enigmatic lodger Mosuke. O-Yae, a former barmaid with a penchant for theatrics, stirs gossip when her unexpected pregnancy sparks rumors that Mosuke, not Minekichi, is the father. As Minekichi grapples with aging and insecurity, O-Yae’s flirtatious games with the naive Mosuke blur lines between pretense and peril. Tensions ignite when a mysterious fire engulfs the local bathhouse, claiming Mosuke’s life alongside Otome, a girl he admired. While the town mourns Mosuke as a fallen hero, Minekichi’s erratic grief and O-Yae’s tearful accusations hint at darker truths. Was the fire accidental arson or a desperate act of jealousy? Between whispered suspicions and unspoken guilt, fragile loyalties unravel, leaving questions smoldering beneath the ashes: Who holds power in this dance of desire—and what sacrifices will silence demand? |
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