Pathway to Japanese Literature
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PeonyAuthor: Miyamoto Yuriko
| Original Title | 牡丹 |
|---|---|
| Author | 宮本 百合子 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Female Author |
| Summary | In a quiet suburban enclave near Tokyo, Ishikawa—a weathered laborer with a turbulent past—encounters the enigmatic Iida family. Mrs. Iida, a woman of refined elegance, commissions him to build a secluded home for her and her fragile son, Yukio, seeking refuge from urban life. Their initial tranquility unravels as Yukio’s delicate mind fractures, culminating in a harrowing scene where he is forcibly hospitalized. Years later, Mrs. Iida, consumed by grief and guilt, descends into madness herself, leaving Yukio utterly alone in their meticulously tended house. Amidst overgrown gardens and haunting stillness, Yukio fixates on vibrant peonies, their fleeting beauty mirroring his fractured psyche. Ishikawa, bound by empathy, witnesses their unraveling fates—a mother’s desperate love, a son’s silent torment, and flowers that bloom with cruel transience. Lyrical and haunting, this tale weaves fragility and resilience, where human connections fray against unseen shadows, and nature’s splendor underscores life’s ephemeral grace. |
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