Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
← Back
One-Tsubo HallAuthor: Unno Juza
| Original Title | 一坪館 |
|---|---|
| Author | 海野 十三 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | Amidst the smoldering ruins of post-war Ginza, a determined teenager named Gen’ichi clings to a sliver of hope: a single *tsubo* of scorched earth gifted by an elderly woman whose life he saved. With Tokyo reduced to ash and survival a daily struggle, Gen’ichi defies despair by transforming his tiny plot into a flower stall, selling vibrant Chinese milk vetch plucked from distant fields. Mocked for peddling beauty in a wasteland, he persists, aided by an eccentric painter and unexpected allies. As fragile blossoms take root among the debris, Gen’ichi’s resilience sparks curiosity—and controversy—in a society grappling with loss. When a fateful encounter with a familiar American officer offers an improbable opportunity, his humble stall evolves into something extraordinary: a soaring symbol of rebirth rising defiantly from the ashes. This tale weaves quiet courage with postwar grit, where a boy’s unwavering vision illuminates the fragile path from ruin to renewal. |
← Return to List← Return to TOP