Pathway to Japanese Literature
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| Original Title | 可児君の面会日 |
|---|---|
| Author | 岸田 国士 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | On a chilly January afternoon, writer Kani braces for his monthly "visiting day"—a strictly regimented hour when acquaintances may call. His pragmatic wife insists minimal preparation is needed, but Kani frets over appearances and social expectations. What unfolds is a whirlwind of visitors: a sly playwright, starstruck students, a land agent angling for publicity, and a guilt-ridden old friend dredging up past betrayals. As guests collide in the cramped study—jostling for attention, pitching absurd requests, and airing thinly veiled agendas—Kani oscillates between performative hospitality and thinly veiled exasperation. His wife navigates the chaos with dry wit, unimpressed by the parade of egos. Beneath the farcical clashes of vanity and ambition linger hints of unresolved histories and quiet loneliness. By day’s end, Kani’s meticulously controlled system unravels into delightful absurdity, leaving readers to wonder: Is this curated social ritual a shield against intimacy or a mirror reflecting life’s messy contradictions? |
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