Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
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| Original Title | 世界覗眼鏡 |
|---|---|
| Author | 岸田 国士 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | A mysterious pair of peeping glasses lies forgotten, their purpose unclear but their potential lingering like dust in the air. In Paris, aging actress Cécile Sorel’s vanity ignites chaos when a caricature exposes her insecurities, sparking a sensational lawsuit and a public spectacle that spirals into shattered glass and lost diamonds. Meanwhile, a Japanese wanderer navigates a labyrinth of cultural collisions—misidentified as Chinese by a persistent Polish student, drawn into absurd debates about judo with boastful officers, and navigating fragile alliances aboard a ship teeming with global tensions. From European salons buzzing with political intrigue to sun-scorched African ports where racial dynamics simmer, each encounter blurs lines between pride and prejudice, connection and alienation. As fragmented stories of identity, ambition, and misunderstanding intertwine across continents, the wanderer’s journey culminates in an unexpected homecoming—a quiet reunion overshadowed by years of displacement and the unspoken weight of belonging. |
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