Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
← Back
| Original Title | 花問答 |
|---|---|
| Author | 岸田 国士 |
| Genre | Popular Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a sunlit veranda, Tamiko finds rare solitude interrupted by Yoshikazu Higashi, a Navy Lieutenant whose casual visits mask deeper intentions. Their banter dances around unspoken tensions—her brother’s impending departure to Turkey, Yoshikazu’s veiled interest in marriage—while Tamiko’s thoughts drift to Keikichi Okumura, a reserved scientist whose quiet presence stirs her heart. Amidst ping-pong games and firelit evenings, Tamiko navigates a delicate web of familial expectations and budding desires. Yoshikazu’s confident charm contrasts with Okumura’s enigmatic restraint, leaving her torn between duty and longing. As cherry blossoms fade and farewells loom, Tamiko’s fleeting gestures—a plucked lotus, a borrowed coat—hint at unvoiced yearnings. Yet shadows gather: Okumura’s secretive work and Yoshikazu’s persistence threaten to unravel her fragile resolve. Set against a backdrop of prewar Japan’s shifting traditions, this tale weaves quiet introspection with simmering emotion, where choices ripple through silences and every glance carries the weight of unwritten futures. |
← Return to List← Return to TOP