Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
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| Original Title | 百姓の足、坊さんの足 |
|---|---|
| Author | 新美 南吉 |
| Genre | Children's Literature |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a village steeped in tradition, Kikuji-san, a hardworking but impoverished farmer, leads a life defined by toil. One night, while accompanying the respected Monk of Unkaku-ji to collect rice offerings, a moment of drunken abandon leads both men to carelessly trample a humble offering. Soon after, Kikuji's leg is suddenly seized by a debilitating pain – a clear sign, he believes, of divine retribution. Yet, the Monk, equally culpable, remains vibrant and untouched, his pious sermons now ringing with an ironic hollowness. Consumed by bitter resentment, Kikuji struggles with heaven's apparent injustice. Why does one suffer while the other prospers for the same sin? As his body weakens and his spirit falters, what profound mystery about worth, faith, and the true nature of blessedness must he confront? |
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