Pathway to Japanese Literature
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Grasped HandAuthor: Sakaguchi Ango
| Original Title | 握った手 |
|---|---|
| Author | 坂口 安吾 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | Matsuo, a timid university student, becomes consumed by obsessive thoughts about his relationship with Ayako, a woman he met in a movie theater during a moment of impulsive vulnerability. Their connection began when he grasped her hand during a film’s love scene—an act he views as embarrassingly unromantic—and her reciprocation fuels both his affection and spiraling doubts. Tormented by fears that Ayako’s response was routine rather than genuine, he fixates on her hand, questioning whether she might react similarly to any man. Desperate for clarity, he impulsively tests his theory on Mizuki Yuko, an aloof psychology student, by seizing her hand in a garden. Her violent rejection shatters his fragile confidence, leaving him paralyzed by self-loathing and convinced of his own “beastly” nature. As Matsuo’s insecurities poison his bond with Ayako, a fleeting encounter with Mizuki reveals unsettling truths about desire and regret, trapping him in a cycle of longing and shame where every choice seems to deepen his isolation. |
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