Pathway to Japanese Literature

Mrs. Hashimoto

Noboru Atsumi

Mr. Shizuma

Yumiko Shizuma

Maid

Tokyo’s outskirts — early winter — around 2 PM.

The inner parlor of the Hashimoto household.

Surrounding the rosewood desk were four floor cushions.

The maid replenished charcoal in the brazier.

Mrs. Hashimoto appeared.

Mrs. Hashimoto: “That charcoal pops—do be careful.”

Maid: “Yes.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “And Kii-chan muddied up the entrance again.”

Maid: “Yes.”

Mrs. Hashimoto (sitting sequentially on each floor cushion): “This seat for Mr. Noboru... this for Mr. Shizuma... and here for the young lady...”
(peering into the brazier) “Enough dallying—hurry now before they arrive.”

Maid: "Yes."
(She left with the fire shovel.)

Mrs. Hashimoto quickly adjusted the flower arrangement in the alcove.

Maid (reappearing): "They have arrived."

Mrs. Hashimoto: “Who?”
“Who exactly…?”

Maid (understanding but hesitating to voice it): “Um…”
Mrs. Hashimoto: “He’s such an unpleasant person.”
(With these words, she hurriedly heads toward the entrance.)

(Mrs. Hashimoto’s voice) “Now, please…”
“We’ve been expecting you.”
“No, not yet…”
“Oh, you really should stop saying such things…”
(Following Mrs. Hashimoto, Noboru Atsumi appears.)

Noboru Atsumi (glancing around) "Hmm…"

“What exactly do you find so enlightening?”
“No, that’s not it.”
“You, over here…” (points to the seat on the right)

Noboru Atsumi: (sitting down) “Are they truly in agreement?”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “What do you mean?”

Noboru Atsumi: “What do I mean? Various matters... After all, the age difference is simply too great.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “It’s rather late to raise that now. It won’t disadvantage your side.”

“You say it won’t be a loss... That’s strange,” Atsumi remarked.

Mrs. Hashimoto responded with measured formality: “You can’t persist in voicing such concerns indefinitely. Since the other party has consented, shouldn’t that suffice? Young women nowadays consider these matters thoroughly.” Her tone grew instructive: “Men properly understand that one cannot be deemed a full-fledged adult unless past thirty.”

Atsumi’s retort carried dry irony: “How remarkably enlightened they are.” Leaning forward, he challenged: “Do women truly grasp such wisdom upon turning twenty-one?” His voice dropped confessional: “I find myself... disinclined to proceed this time.” Fingers tracing the cushion’s edge, he added: “It’s not merely about age.” Finally gesturing toward an unseen photograph: “She’s undeniably lovely in that portrait—yet I can’t shake the sense that’s all there is to her.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “In photographs, that’s all you need to grasp.”
“The rest will become clear in time.”
“So by all means, meet her and see for yourself.”

Noboru Atsumi: “But once I meet her, I can’t very well refuse.”
“That may be a logical excuse, but human feelings won’t allow it.”

Mrs. Hashimoto declared she would keep custody of those human feelings for now.
“Of course, I’m not telling you to decide based on today alone.”
“There’s no such foolish rule.”

“When I said I’d leave it to you, Mrs. Hashimoto—what I meant was… well, thinking I’d have someone like you look after things… that’s why I said it.”
“Someone like me—an old woman?”
“Someone like you—well, how should I put it—a wife who’s every bit the proper wife.”
“Anyone who becomes a wife becomes a proper wife. The more a young lady embodies what a proper young lady should be, the more she becomes a proper wife, you know.”

“That whole ‘proper young lady’ act just doesn’t suit my taste—that’s why I’m stuck here.” Noboru leaned forward, his thumb worrying the edge of a floor cushion. “Is there really no such thing as a young lady who’s a proper wife right from the start?”

“Is there really such a thing?”
“Then I don’t need it to be the young lady.”

“Don’t be absurd.”

“Why?”
“That way at least...”

“We’ve had quite enough of this discussion...”
“Today requires proper decorum.”
“We’ll attend to casual matters later.”

“May I stay until afterward?”

“Wouldn’t it be preferable for you to depart earlier today... out of consideration for the other party’s sentiments...”

“Either suits me perfectly...”
“But what conversation could I possibly hold, in principle...”
“I can hardly expound on theories of romance now, can I?”

“What about discussing electricity?”
“If I’m truly desperate, I’ll do that.” (Pause) “Hey, Mrs. Hashimoto—next time someone a bit older would be better.”
“Next time... Yes yes understood.”

Atsumi: Twenty-six or twenty-seven... up to twenty-eight or twenty-nine would be fine.

Mrs. Hashimoto: Why must you keep saying such things today?
"I simply can’t bear this…"
"Even though you had properly agreed before…."

Atsumi: “I’ve been thinking since then. When I saw you today, Mrs. Hashimoto, it struck me deeply—women don’t begin to shine until they become wives like you. Those seven or eight years before then? They’re just… empty time. Like persimmons still bitter and unripe, lacking any sweetness.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “That time has its own merits.”
(Muttering to herself) “Is this how men talk when they reach your age—comparing women to produce?”
“There’s an era of flowers—an era of blossoms….”

“I understand that,” Noboru said.
“I do understand.”
“But flowers shouldn’t be plucked recklessly.”
“That’s what I think.”
“Listen—the thing about women is…”

(The maid entered with tea.)

“We’ll return to that discussion another time,” Mrs. Hashimoto interjected.
“But regardless—even during this ‘era of flowers,’ one might plant them in one’s own garden from the start.”

Noboru leaned forward.
“And when the fruit finally ripens? I’ll be too old to climb trees by then.
Some snot-nosed brat will have already snatched it clean off.”

“You’re being rather spineless.”

(Pointing to the opposite side of the desk) “Who’s going to sit here?”

“Well now, hush and watch what I do.”

“Do I have to sit properly?”
“Well… you might consider handling such matters yourself…”
“Your husband…?”

Mr. Hashimoto had excused himself from the residence and gone to his office.

Noboru Atsumi: “Oh… This feels rather lonely.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “You would do well to remember your years…”

“My years?”
“I’m thirty-six.”
“What of it?”
“This is my first time dealing with such matters since birth, you know.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “That will suffice.”

Atsumi (counting the floor cushions): “Then who’s the other person?”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “Your rival…”

Noboru Atsumi: “So someone’s coming along from their side then.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “It would have been splendid if you too had someone accompany you.”

Noboru Atsumi: “This is awfully stifling.”

(The maid appeared.)

Mrs. Hashimoto: “The entrance is properly prepared, isn’t it.”

Maid: “Yes, right away…”
“Um…”
“The guests have arrived at the gate.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “What do you mean by that…?”

Maid: “The young lady absolutely refuses to enter. For some time now, Mr. Shizuma has been pacing back and forth between the entrance hall and the front gate.”

“Well…”

(Smiled at Atsumi)

Atsumi (smirking and stroking his chin)

Mrs. Hashimoto (muttering to herself): What should I do?

(At this moment, a voice called “Excuse me” at the entrance.)
(The maid hurriedly exited.)

Atsumi: “Am I allowed to stay here?”

Mrs. Hashimoto (standing up，flustered): “If you aren’t here，who else would there be?”
“You must steel yourself.”
“Excuse me briefly…” (exits)

(Eventually, Mr. Shizuma led the way, followed by Mrs. Hashimoto slightly behind, and Yumiko, each making their appearance.)

Mrs. Hashimoto: "This is Mr. Noboru Atsumi."
"Mr. Shizuma..."
"This is the young lady, Miss Yumiko."

Mr. Shizuma: "Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Atsumi: "Likewise..."

Mrs. Hashimoto: "Well now, please, everyone, do take your seats..."
"Miss, this seat should be suitable for you." (Seating Yumiko across from Noboru) "The roads must have been quite difficult."

Mr. Shizuma: "When I last visited, it wasn't like this."
Mrs. Hashimoto: "The roads have frozen completely with this morning's frost..."
Mr. Shizuma: "Ah, I suppose so."
"Mr. Atsumi, you reside in this neighborhood?"
Noboru Atsumi: "Yes, though 'nearby' means about two train stops..."
"But considering your home's location... it's nothing."
Mrs. Hashimoto: "How fares the Omori area?"
"Would you say they're building this many houses there too?"

Mr. Shizuma: “Our area has already reached its limit, I suppose. There’s simply no land left—though I hear construction still thrives around Ikegami.” He hesitated before adding, “If I may ask… this residence…”

Mrs. Hashimoto demurred, “Well… we built it two years ago, but the workmanship leaves much to be desired…”

“Not at all!” Mr. Shizuma protested before shifting focus. “Mr. Atsumi—do you find Omori disagreeable?”

“It’s not that I dislike it,” Noboru replied carefully, “but the other side does feel more… expansive somehow.” His gaze drifted as he added, “I haven’t visited Hakkeien Garden in ages.”

“Hakkeien Garden… Well, it’s not what it once was now, but I’ve heard there’s also this Inokashira Park around here… though I still haven’t… well…” (turning to his daughter) “You came here on your girls’ school excursion, didn’t you?”

(Yumiko nodded)

“Do you like school excursions?”

Yumiko bent her body and looked at her father’s face.

Mrs. Hashimoto interjected with a conciliatory look: “There’s no such thing.”
“School excursions come in all varieties, you know.”

Atsumi murmured, “School excursions...” then gazed up at the ceiling as if weighing some profound thought.

A long silence.

Mr. Shizuma: “This summer, since I had company along, I climbed Mount Asama. With no one else there to see, I can’t say for certain whether we reached the actual summit.”

Yumiko (glaring in mock disapproval): “How dreadful!”

“Huh, Mount Asama—”
“That’s quite something.”
“As for me, mountain climbing’s the one thing I just can’t handle.”

“Oh, are you really that weak?”

Atsumi: “Whether I’m weak or strong, I can’t help feeling that’s precisely what makes it a wasted effort…”

Mr. Shizuma: “Quite so.
“After all, you’d just have to come back down anyway.”

“Oh, how awful!”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “You’re being lazy, aren’t you.”

Mr. Shizuma: “If that’s the case, don’t you engage in exercise?”

Atsumi: “Well, during my school days, I did at least hold a racket or two… Do you do anything besides mountain climbing?”

Yumiko (said something inaudible).

Atsumi: “Huh?”

Yumiko (spoke again, but her words didn’t reach Noboru’s ears).

Mr. Shizuma: (Taking over) “At school, she apparently taught judo.”

Atsumi: Judo…
(miming a shoulder throw) “This one?”

(Yumiko laughs.)

Mrs. Hashimoto: “That’s an unusual school, is it not? But it must be quite practical, mustn’t it?”

Atsumi (looked up at the ceiling again) “Judo, huh….”

A long silence.

Mr. Shizuma: “Mr. Atsumi, ever since graduating from school, you’ve been at your current company…”

“Hah.”

A long silence.

Mr.Shizuma: “I may not understand technical matters well but everything has become an electric world now.”

Mrs.Hashimoto: “That’s quite true isn't it?”
“At our household as well we've been receiving advice from Mr.Atsumi about electrifying the kitchen but…”
“Well… It’s still… rather unsettling I must say.”

Mr.Shizuma: “Precisely because it’s an invisible monster I feel one can't afford to let their guard down even a little.”

Atsumi: Is that so?

A long silence.

Mrs. Hashimoto: “Miss [Yumiko], do you play the koto?”

Yumiko (bashfully): “Yes.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “Are you engaged in any other studies?”

Yumiko: “Well... French embroidery, and then some painting...”

Atsumi: “Western painting?”

Yumiko: “No.”

Mr. Shizuma: “You see, there happens to be a Japanese painting instructor nearby.”
“Though I suppose this too is simply fashionable these days.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “As for myself—with so many sisters growing up—I never properly learned a single accomplishment. It’s truly regrettable.”

Mr. Shizuma: “However, Mrs. Hashimoto, regarding academic matters…”

Atsumi: “No—absolutely.”
“Someone like me can’t even begin to compete.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “There’s no need to bare your fangs on my account.”
“Why don’t you try this instead—though it’s rather an unusual sweet…”
“And you, Miss…?”
“Let us refresh the tea.”

(Refreshing the tea)

Mr. Shizuma: (miming holding a cup to his lips) "How about this?"

Atsumi: (looking toward Mrs. Hashimoto) “Well… what should I say?”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “You should speak truthfully.”
“You can manage just a little.”
“It’s not an excessive amount.”
“How much?”
“One measure… two measures…”

Atsumi: (laughs)

Mr. Shizuma: “Hah! So you’re quite resilient then.”

“But you never actually become intoxicated at all, do you?”

Atsumi: I wouldn’t say I never get drunk.

Mrs. Hashimoto: However, to speak of losing one’s composure like that...

Atsumi: It does happen occasionally.

Mrs. Hashimoto: You claim it’s a rare occurrence.
But I haven’t heard any such rumors at all.

Mr. Shizuma: Well, since you yourself admit to it so readily, it can’t be anything serious.
How about it?
Perhaps I could challenge you to a game soon?

“Oh dear, this has turned into quite the unexpected situation, hasn’t it?”
“If you dislike exercise, then for entertainment—perhaps something like ball games or Go…”

“I don’t play Go, but I do hit balls a bit.”

“What about shogi?”

“I’m a novice.”

“I’m a novice too,” said Mr. Shizuma, looking around and spotting the shogi board on the alcove shelf. “But there’s one here. Shall we begin?”

“Ah, no…”

“My, how about we enjoy a bit more conversation first?” interjected Mrs. Hashimoto.

“Oh, we can converse while playing,” Mr. Shizuma deflected, his fingers already reaching toward the shogi pieces. “Shall we commence?” He turned with performative courtesy toward their hostess, adding “(To Mrs. Hashimoto) Might I trouble you for its use?”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “Oh, but…”

Yumiko: “Father, you’re being awful.”

Mr. Shizuma: “Now, you go talk with Mrs. Hashimoto.” (Stood up and brought over the shogi board) “You must be quite strong.” “How shall we arrange this match?”

Atsumi: “You flatter me.” “On the contrary, I must ask you to let me counter that.”

(They begin arranging the pieces.)

Mr.Shizuma: “Well then, let us begin by assessing your skills.”

Noboru: “You overestimate me – I’ve barely memorized how to position these pieces...”

Mr.Shizuma: “Nevertheless...” (advances a pawn)

Noboru: “That won’t do.”
(Withdraws his opponent’s piece and counters with his bishop)

Mrs.Hashimoto: (turning to Yumiko) “Shall we occupy ourselves with cards while they play?”
“Ah – better yet!” (rises purposefully) “Let me share something special.”

Mr. Shizuma: “Oh, this won’t do.”
(Pause) “I see... So that’s how it is...”
“No—no, there’s a move like this.”

Atsumi: “That doesn’t scare me.”

Mrs. Hashimoto (carrying a photo album): “There’s an amusing photograph here.”
“Let’s skip this section.”
“Do you recognize who this is?”

Yumiko: “I do.”
“But she’s changed so much, hasn’t she?”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “She would have changed.”
“This is Sister.”

Yumiko: “My, she’s identical…”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “These are all younger sisters, yes—and this one here is the current older sister…”

“Ah, ah, ah… Wai-wai-wait a moment…”

Yumiko: (Turning toward him and laughing) “He’s completely engrossed…”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “This is my uncle.”
“He was childhood friends with Mr. Atsumi’s father, you see…”
“So, because of that connection…”

Mr. Shizuma: “One move too late, huh?”
So this is checkmate, then.

Yumiko: “Auntie, um... do you happen to know Yoshizumi-sensei from my school?”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “Yoshizumi... Yoshizumi, you say?”

Yumiko: “Yoshizumi Aiko...”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “Ms. Yoshizumi Aiko…”

Yumiko: “Ms. Yoshizumi Aiko did graduate from a women’s college, but...”

“I don’t know her.”
“Might her surname have changed?”

“Oh, that might be the case,” Yumiko said. “But I don’t believe she has a husband… though…”

“Even so, this ‘Aiko’... I wonder what became of that person.”
“No, but you see... That person bears such a striking resemblance to you, Auntie. I thought perhaps she might be your relative or something...”
“Well now, there exists such a person? I should like to meet her once.”
“What’s this about some person...?”

Yumiko (flustered): “Um... do you mean Yoshizumi-sensei?”

Atsumi: “Oh, if it’s that person, I know them.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “That must be a lie.”
(to Yumiko) “It’s a lie.”

Atsumi: “If it’s someone who resembles you, Mrs. Hashimoto, I know them all.”

Mr. Shizuma: “Is that the spot?”
“So that’s acceptable, then?”

“In return, if we proceed this way…”

Mr. Shizuma: This time, the situation seems favorable.

Atsumi: If it’s people who resemble you, Mrs. Hashimoto, I know them all…

Mrs. Hashimoto: She must be an interesting person.

Atsumi: Checkmate.

Mr. Shizuma: "Well now, that was an unusual move."
"That simply can't be possible."

Atsumi: "Then shall we try again...?"

Mrs. Hashimoto: "Ah—this shows [that person]'s—(glancing toward Atsumi)—school days..."

Yumiko (gazing intently with interest)

Mrs. Hashimoto: "She must have been quite the scholar, wouldn’t you say?"

“Ahem.”

“My, you’re listening.”

Yumiko: (Laughs)

Mrs. Hashimoto: “This is my dearest friend… We’ve been together since girls’ school. Now she’s a mother of three.” (Pause) “I do hope to receive a photograph of you like this soon.”

Yumiko: “Oh…” (covers her face with her hands)

Mrs. Hashimoto: “Even if you say such things, it won’t be long now.”

Mr. Shizuma: “Oh, so that move was sharp?”

Atsumi: “Checkmate.”

Mr. Shizuma: “I’ll go this way.”

Atsumi: “Checkmate.”
Mr. Shizuma: “It can’t be helped.”

Atsumi: Another checkmate.

Mr. Shizuma: “And so, your move...”
(Pause) All is lost, I suppose.
“The position seems rather unstable.”

Atsumi: “A fortunate accident.”

Mr. Shizuma: “You’re remarkably steady-handed.”
“This must indeed reflect a disparity in rank.”

“No, truly, today I’m just not myself.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “Have you already finished?”
“Let us prepare tea.”
“Toki.”

(The maid enters.)

Mrs. Hashimoto: “A cup of tea…”
“Oh, right—(in a low voice)—black tea.”
“Don’t make it too strong…”
“And then, the mille-feuille as well…”

Maid: “Yes.”
(Exits.)

“Please, there’s truly no need to trouble yourself…”

“Well then, I’ll take my leave now. I have another matter to attend to…”

“Well, isn’t that perfectly acceptable?”

Noboru: “But…”

Mr. Shizuma: “If anyone should depart first, it ought to be myself. Now then—regarding that photograph—you must show it to me properly another time.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: “But I’m having tea prepared at this very moment—”

Mr. Shizuma: “No no, truly—that’s quite unnecessary… Well, perhaps on another occasion… Do pay us a visit sometime—my wife remains hopelessly timid and never ventures out at all…”

Noboru: “I’ll accompany you that far as well…”

Mr. Shizuma: “Well now, you must please take your time… Since it’s quite nearby…” (Turning to Mrs. Hashimoto) “Well then, I must take my leave now. Thank you for everything.” (To Atsumi) “Well then, I would like to meet you again soon—(with emphasis)—indeed.”

Atsumi: “Ah, by all means…” (to Yumiko) “Oh, excuse me.”

(Mr. Shizuma and Yumiko exit, followed by Mrs. Hashimoto.)

Atsumi stood alone in the center of the room, seemingly half-listening to the voices at the entrance.

A long time passed.

Atsumi (soon left hurriedly toward the entrance).

An empty silence lingers.

Atsumi and Mrs. Hashimoto entered one after the other.

Atsumi: "Was it really all right that I didn't leave earlier?"

“You should have left together with them…”
“Is that really how it’s done?”
“I can’t say whether it’s proper protocol, but that would have been more tactful.”
“Well, it can’t be helped now.”

“Are you deliberately trying to sabotage this matter?”
“Why would I?”
“Even earlier, you kept saying such unnecessary things.”
“Are you talking about the alcohol?”
“Rather than that, things like whether someone resembles me or this or that—those are not matters to be spoken of in front of a young lady.”

Atsumi: “But I wanted to say it—there’s nothing to be done about it.”
“Mrs. Hashimoto—please spare me from having that young lady forced on me.”
Mrs. Hashimoto: “‘Force you,’ you say…”
Atsumi: “Then recommending her is…”

“So after all, she doesn’t meet your approval?”
“Whether I accept her or not isn’t the issue at all. What would I do with a young lady like that? There’s nowhere to keep her! That’s right—even someone like her takes up space.”
“Are you truly saying such things seriously?”
“I am being serious. Mrs. Hashimoto—please try to understand my feelings.”

Mrs. Hashimoto: In that case, there’s nothing to be done.

Atsumi: Mrs. Hashimoto, please let me say one last thing.—I cannot think of any woman other than you—as a woman.

A long silence.

Mrs. Hashimoto (sternly): “Mr. Noboru—what do you take this place for? You think Hashimoto is an old man and look down on him, don’t you? Do you mistakenly believe that I am dissatisfied with Hashimoto? That is not the case. How could there be such a thing?”

Atsumi: “Then that’s fine.”
I was mistaken.
“If you being here like this brings you happiness, I won’t speak of disturbing that happiness.”
“However, there’s no reason you must bind my body to keep that happiness undisturbed.”

A long silence.

Did I go a bit too far?
I might not have needed to say such things.
But shouldn’t I at least say what needs to be said?

“Starting today, I will vanish from your sight.”

“Please do so.”
“That being settled, I must ask why—harboring such sentiments—you deliberately came to this place today.”
“You couldn’t possibly have meant to trifle with a pure maiden’s mind.”
“If that were true, how could I ever face that person?”
“For mercy’s sake—tell me it isn’t so.”

“Let that be as you see fit… I merely tried to obey your orders as much as I could. But now, something stronger than your commands has risen within my heart. Before I do something foolish, let us take our leave promptly. Then, farewell. I would never think badly of you. You are forever—strange as it sounds—my idol.” I may have been a bit too stiff. Isn’t it utterly absurd that we must seriously use such theatrical phrases with each other?

(He rose.)
After a moment’s hesitation, he began to walk quietly.
His figure disappeared.

Mrs. Hashimoto started to rise from her seat afterward but reconsidered, rested one elbow on the desk, and allowed a lonely yet somewhat wry smile to escape.

―― CURTAIN ――