Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
← Back
BachelorAuthor: Mori Ōgai
| Original Title | 独身 |
|---|---|
| Author | 森 鴎外 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In the quiet winters of Kokura, where snow dusts the streets and messengers’ bells echo through hushed evenings, a reclusive bachelor named Ōno hosts two guests in his modest home. Their lively debate over marriage—a recurring topic—unfolds amid steaming udon and sake, punctuated by anecdotes of bachelors ensnared by societal expectations. A monk arrives unexpectedly, weaving tales of rare Buddhist texts, while Ōno’s companions jest about his solitary life, hinting at scandalous rumors and the perils of unattached existence. Yet Ōno remains enigmatic, his sly smile masking private reflections on fleeting desires and a grandmother’s persistent letters urging him to wed a mysterious Tokyo beauty. As the night deepens and guests depart, Ōno retreats to solitude, pondering his detachment from romance amid memories of transient allure and the weight of tradition. The snow melts, but questions linger: Can a man truly evade the pull of intimacy in a world where even solitude whispers of connection? |
← Return to List← Return to TOP