Pathway to Japanese Literature

Time: From early summer to late autumn of Showa 14 (1939)

Place: A small town in the Kantō region

Shiki Koichi — 25

Fuku — 20 — Koichi's younger sister

Kinu — 45 — Koichi's mother

Otsubo Sanji — 24

Daigo — 60 — Sanji's father

Iida Toramatsu — 42 — Acting town mayor

Kakuzaki Kuzo — 38 — Reservist Association branch chairman

Kitano Morio — 45 — National School principal

Kamishima Tōru — 25 — Agricultural Experiment Station Technician

Yuki Masatoshi — 42 — Reserve Army Major

Kosuge Saburo — 25 — Postal Worker

Kashiwabara Shigeru — 29 — Youth School Teacher

Mikumo Nichiryo — 28 — Buddhist Monk

Kawazoe Motoi — 30 — Pharmacy and Sundries Merchant

Yabe Shinzuke — 26 — Transportation Worker

Tatsumi Hiraku — 24 — Koi Breeding

Takagi Chiyo — 20 — Female Factory Worker

Inaba Akiko — 23 — Ryokan Daughter

Other Young Men and Women

Act 1

Shrine precincts.
The hall of worship wasn't visible but likely stood on higher ground beyond the cedar grove to the right, with a leveled plaza one step below serving as the stage.
The distant view looked out over a vast plain that ended at a series of gentle mountain ranges.

Early summer dawn.
A hazy light enveloped greens of varying shades, quivering with dew.

With the distant sound of a steam whistle and freight train, the curtain rose.

Kosuge Saburo appeared from the right wearing a white shirt and wrapped gaiters while reading something resembling a poetry book.
He sat down with his back against a tree root.

Yabe Shinzuke emerged from the left clad in a youth group uniform with an apron, carrying wooden stakes and a bundle of straw rope.

"What? No one's here yet?" said Yabe.

Kosuge turned toward him. "I'm here."

Yabe: (as if noticing for the first time) “You don’t count.”
Kosuge: “Hah. So it’s the transport workers’ heyday now?”
“By the way—did you know a red draft notice came for Shiki?”

Yabe: “Really?”
“When?”

Kosuge: “Last night.”
“I thought yours came together with mine.”

Tatsumi Hiraku, wearing corduroy trousers and a knit shirt, appeared from the right leading two youths of seventeen or eighteen.

The youths each held wooden stakes and straw rope.

Yabe: “Hey, hey—Private First Class Shiki’s been mobilized, I hear. He probably will not come today.”

Tatsumi: “Ah, so that’s why.”
“He was bowing his head reverently in front of the Hall of Worship just now.”
“Since he wasn’t moving at all for so long, I thought I’d call out to him… The guy must be worried about what comes next.”

“What the hell are we even here for?”
“Don’t talk nonsense.”
“So, who else is there?”

“San-chan, Mr. Kashiwabara, the monk from Renge Temple, and Miss Aki from Taimeikan.”

Yabe: “Miss Aki from Taimeikan, huh?”
“The world’s changed…”
(Looking at his watch) “Well, there’s only three minutes left.”
“Who’s going to pay the fine?”

Mikumo Nichiryo appeared from the right while wiping sweat.

"The clock at Nichiryo Temple really isn't acting up properly," he said.
"It probably isn't time yet."

"That was close, Monk!" Tatsumi exclaimed.

Mikumo tightened something once, then again.
"We'll collect the fines strictly," Yabe declared.

"I agree," Kosuge responded.

Yabe: “Do you know about Mr. Shiki’s mobilization?”

Mikumo: “I don’t know.”
Mikumo: “Now that you mention it… how will that household manage with just two women left?”
Mikumo: “Miss Fuku will probably go work at a factory… huh?”

“Fuku’ll do whatever it takes.”

Kashiwabara Shigeru and Inaba Akiko also appeared from the left while wiping sweat.
Kashiwabara wore a national uniform; Akiko was dressed in a rather showy meisen silk outfit with monpe work pants.

"I ended up meeting Ms. Inaba along the way," Kashiwabara said, "so my timing got all messed up."

Akiko: "Well..."
"I wonder if it's my fault."

Kashiwabara: "No, no—that's not true."

Yabe: "Well then, pay the fine."
"Will you be covering two shares, Mr. Kashiwabara?"

Kashiwabara: (Calmly) "I'll pay my own share."

“That’s right,” Akiko said. “I’ll pay it all next time.”

Yabe snorted. “Typical.”

“Aside from Private First Class Shiki,” Tatsumi cut in, scanning the group, “only Sanji’s missing.” He turned to the teacher with a curt nod. “Let’s begin, Mr. Kashiwabara.”

Kashiwabara: “Very well.”
He pulled out a blueprint. “Today we’ll finalize the route and set up signposts, string ropes for spectator seating, and assign seats at the ceremony grounds—that’s all.”

Tatsumi: “What about leveling the sumo ring?”

Kashiwabara: “Let’s do it early in the morning on the day. If it rains, it would be a waste. Rather than that, if there’s time to spare, we need to think a bit more about where to set up the playhouse.”

Yabe: “This seems to be the most popular one. Miss Aki has already completely memorized her lines, I hear. No matter who you rope in, they say you’ve got to go with the play’s energy.”

Akiko: “Don’t say such unflattering things.”

Yabe: “Kashiwabara—quiet for a moment.”
“Who was supposed to bring the signboards and nails?”

Kosuge: “San-chan is supposed to bring them.”

Nichiryo: “What am I supposed to do?”

Kashiwabara: “Now then, what was it we were going to have you do again?”
“Ah, right.”
“Consult with the priest here and plan the first victory commemoration ceremony to be as solemn as possible yet not tedious.”
“We’ll limit the number of official participants and separate them from the general public.”
“First, please inspect the site and devise a plan.”
“Show that plan to Mr. Mayor and have him carry it out accordingly.”
“School staff and students will, of course, attend as a group.”

“I’m not good with the shrine priest, you know.”

Kashiwabara: “Please don’t say such things and just do it. I’ll come along later too. I’m asking this in the name of the Sōnen-dan.”

Shiki Koichi appeared from the right in his Private First Class military uniform. Everyone gathered around him. Voices rang out: “It’s really happening now,” “Congratulations,” “You probably couldn’t sleep last night,” “Thank you for your efforts,” and so on.

“I’m sorry I’m late.”
“I’ll leave the rest to you all.”
“Since I’m free all day today, I’ll go help with the festival.”

“No—you must have various matters to attend to, so you’re excused.”
“When exactly is your enlistment?”

“I plan to depart on tomorrow’s 11 o’clock up train…”
“It’s set for the 20th at 8 a.m., so….”

Yabe: “The day after tomorrow.”
“What a waste.”
“If they’d just delayed it two days… you could’ve stayed for the festival…”

“This year’s festival is quite special, after all.”

Kashiwabara: "Yet for that very reason, the town's spirit in seeing Mr. Shiki off feels different."

Shiki: "Oh Monk—I meant to come hear your talk tonight..."

Nichiryo (with startled expression): "Hmm. Do come by."
"Though I can't promise what sort of talk it'll be..."

Shiki (shrugging off his uniform jacket): "Right then—what's my job here, Sensei?"

Kashiwabara: "Ah yes. Thank you."
"Yabe, Tatsumi—and you lads over there—get the sumo stands built."
"Sort out where to put the entry and exit points."
(Hand to forehead) Damn—forgot the chalk.

Kosuge: “Do you need chalk?”
“I’ll make a quick trip by bicycle and come right back.”
(Dashes off.)

Kashiwabara: “I’m counting on you.”
“Oh, Ms. Akiko – would you go with the monk to the shrine office and ask whether they can let us use one of their rooms for the first-aid station?”

Yabe, Tatsumi, and two young men exited.

Shiki: As for me, Sensei?

Kashiwabara: Oh, it’s you.
“Well then, until San-chan arrives, look over this blueprint and check whether the roads follow the layout as drawn.”
“There seem to be places where landslides have been left as they are…”

Nichiryo (beginning to walk): “No matter how I consider it, I’m just no good with priests.”
Akiko followed after him and left.

Shiki, examining the blueprint, exited to the left.

Kashiwabara remained alone and pondered for a while.
He wandered aimlessly around the area.
He looked at his watch.

Otsubo Sanji appeared from the right.
The impairment of his right eye was immediately apparent.
A navy shirt and matching shorts.
He wore a headband tied at the back with a hand towel.
He had bundled several planks with rope and slung them over his shoulder.

Kashiwabara: "Hey, what's wrong? Sanji, you're late."

Otsubo: "For someone doin' night work, this time's tough."

Kashiwabara: "I hadn't noticed that."
"But is there still work that requires night shifts?"

“Work ain’t in short supply.”
“It’s just that there’s no fuel.”
“We’ve decided we’ll switch trades eventually, so we’re plannin’ to fire up some decent pieces while we still can….”

Kashiwabara: “Your family’s pottery is a local specialty. I can’t imagine you’d actually switch trades.”
“It’ll die out.”

Otsubo: “The old man’s still clingin’ on a bit, I reckon—but humans? Fickle as hell.”
“If I were to say I’m goin’ off to war or somethin’, the old man’d probably give up clean—makes me downright sick just thinkin’ about it.”

Kashiwabara: “I see. That makes sense.”

Otsubo: “Ain’t there no work where Otsubo can go all out—risk his life?”

Kashiwabara: “You’ve got a good physique—what a waste.”
“Didn’t you say you went to argue your case at the town office?”
“Heard you even submitted a blood-written petition?”

Otsubo: “That’s a lie.”

Kashiwabara: “You made those markers for me?”
“Right—I’ll have you drive ’em in.”
“Shiki-kun’s got the blueprint… (shouting) Hey! Shiki-kun!…”
(Pause) He should be back soon enough.”
“Just handle it proper-like.”
“We stop sharp at seven.”
“Whatever’s left over—youth group’ll take care of…”
“I’m headin’ to the shrine office.”

Kashiwabara exited to the right.

Otsubo lies down, using a tree root on the slope as a pillow.

Yabe and Tatsumi appeared, passing each other.
They did not notice Otsubo’s presence.

Yabe: Rope and such—you ain’t gonna get by with just preparin’ a little bit.
“Kashiwabara-sensei has no idea what today’s straw ropes are really like.”

“He’s real dedicated, ain’t he? The other day he came to my place insistin’ on tellin’ me all ’bout carp farmin’. Made me listen to ’im ramble near two hours. Reckon he’s plannin’ to have the students do it at school. Even someone like Sanji oughta take after Sensei a bit. Ah, if you keep fussin’ over that eye o’ yours, you’ll never get through the days.”

“That’s just his nature…” Yabe said. “By the way, our comrades’ve been hauled off in droves lately. As for proper humans—ain’t you and I about the only ones left?”

“Now that you mention it,” Tatsumi replied, “you and I are about the only ones who haven’t changed a bit…. The rest of ’em have changed so much you’d hardly recognize ’em. Can’t even let slip a careless word these days.”

Yabe nodded. “The real things and the fakes have become clearly distinguished. We’re still the real deal, y’know.”

“Smooth talker, ain’t ya? Just when I thought I’d forgotten somethin’… throat’s gone bone-dry. I’ll go get myself a glass of water.”

Yabe: “I was made to drink some damn salty miso soup this morning.”

Both men exit.

Kosuga appeared, holding a box of chalk and reciting a poem.

Otsubo: Shut up already.
“Take that somewhere else, will ya?”

Kosuga: What? San-chan, you were here?
“It’s a fine. (Pause) Where’s Kashiwabara-sensei?”

“Don’t know.”
“Go check the shrine office.”

Kosuga exits.

Two youths appear, arguing about something.

“If you hate the work, then get out!”

Youth B: “Who said I didn’t like it?”
“You think I’m gonna listen to every damn order of yours?”

Youth A: “What did you say?”
“You’re always like this.”
(lunges at Youth B)

As the two youths’ fierce grappling continued, Otsubo sat up and watched intently.

Otsubo: “Go at ’em! Go at ’em! I’ll back the loser up!”

Youth B was pinned down and lost his fighting spirit.
Youth A continued to punch.

Otsubo stood up and shoved Youth A away.

Otsubo: “The match is over.”
(With a serious stance) “This time, I’ll be your opponent.”
(Not sounding like a joke) “Come on, bring it.”
“If you’re still itching to throw punches, come at me.”
(Youth A and B glared in their direction while fidgeting nervously.)

Shiki Koichi suddenly appeared there.
His sister Fuku, clad in monpe work clothes, followed from behind.

“What’re you doin’? Practicing sumo?”
“Well… something like that.”

The two youths left.

Shiki received the bento from his sister’s hand.

Otsubo: “Breakfast?”

Shiki: “’Cause this one overslept.”

Fuku: “That’s a lie, Brother.
“Brother, you weren’t even home at four-thirty.”

Shiki: “Just leave it there.
“What should I do about the sky?”

“I’ll come back later to get it.”
(Putting the bottle down) “If you want tea too, San-chan…”

“I’m finally heading out.”
“Right here before you, but I aim to work enough for two.”

(He sat down.)

Otsubo wanted to make that request—but this was one thing he just couldn’t bring himself to…
“Just do your part—go and make something of yourself out there.”
“You’re steady—enemy bullets aren’t likely to hit you.”

Fuku: “Brother’s been saying since last night—he’ll keep San-chan’s photo in his pocket through the war.”
“Since it’s awkward for me to mention… you should go ask for your photo.”

“Shiki, you idiot—you didn’t have to say that now.”

Otsubo (with a lonely smile): “Don’t take it so hard.”

“You’ve never said a word about that since it happened.”
“But I haven’t forgotten a single day of it.”
“To say meetin’ you was just painful’d be a lie—somehow it filled me with dread.”
(Pause) “You must still remember that time well.”
“Makin’ bows from bamboo was all the rage back then—second year at grade school...”
“I made the biggest bow—was right proud of it... Then just loosed an arrow into that thicket by the pond—no aim at all—and damn me if you weren’t hidin’ right there.”
“When you came rushin’ out yellin’, I thought you were foolin’ around.”
“But then—what d’you know? Your face went bright red... Ah hell—no good at all... I wanted to dive straight into that pond then and there...”

Otsubo: “Stop it… Even if you say that now, it won’t do any good.”

Shiki: “No—today, let me say it.”
“Truth is, till now, we’d both been steerin’ clear of this.”
“Between us two, that worked well enough.”
“But I heard tell you wrote a petition in your own blood.”
“Heard you cried all day after that examination too.”
“And never breathed a word of it to me.”
“For someone like me, there ain’t nothin’ more painful than this.”

“That’s got nothin’ to do with you,” said Otsubo. “I’m just fightin’ my fate. So I ain’t resented you one bit. You know that much at least.”

Shiki gripped his bento box. “Maybe it’s wrong of me to stew over you feelin’ that way—but now they’re finally callin’ me up, I can’t shake this sense things can’t stay as they are.”

“That’s why it’s all fate,” said Otsubo. “Suppose I’d been the one who blinded your eye. I’ll do what I can do—you do what you can do. What each of us manages comes down to our own guts.”

“I’ll work hard enough for both our shares, I swear,” said Shiki. “Just keep holdin’ to that thought.” “Fuku—you go on home now.” “Tell Ma I’m gonna swing by a couple houses.” “Be back ’fore noon…”

Fuku bowed politely and departed to the right.

Otsubo (changing the subject): "Rather than that, let's just get our work done. Look at the blueprint—we just need to slap this board on."

Shiki: "That's right—it won't take much trouble at all. Mr. Kashiwabara exaggerates everything. Besides, even if someone tried to walk strictly on the road during the festival, nobody'd actually do that. They can walk anywhere anyway..."

The two left via the small path to the left.

Kashiwabara appeared, accompanied by both Kamijima and Kawazoe.

Kawazoe was a somewhat older man with a mustache.
Kamijima was wearing a youth group uniform and holding a flute under his arm.

Kashiwabara: “Here’s the brass band… Facing this way would be better.”
“You’ve already chosen the pieces to perform, right?”

Kawazoe: “That’s all well and good, but one of our drummers fell ill—left us in a bind.”

Kamijima: “It’ll work out.”
“Rather than that—I haven’t had any time to practice at all.”
“Mr. Kawazoe—I’m begging you—we need you to set aside some time for us all to practice together…”

“Now now—leave it t’me.”
“Don’t go makin’ yerself conspicuous.”
“Got nosy folk lurkin’ about.”
“‘What’s with all th’racket from dawn till dusk?’—they’ll come squawkin’, mark my words.”

“D’you reckon th’audience oughta gather ’round here?”
“‘Bout here maybe?”

Kawazoe: “It’s too close.”

Kashiwabara: “Around here?”

“Still too close.”

Kashiwabara: “But if we go that far, there’ll be nowhere left to stand.”

Kawazoe: “The listeners can be anywhere. It won’t trouble them even if part of the slope gets used.”

Kamijima: “Mr. Pharmacist here’s always so self-centered about everything, I tell ya.”

“Alright, understood. Let’s go.”
They had come after leaving half their meal uneaten.

The three departed to the right.
The sound of a flute was heard.

Kosuge staggered out from between the trees.
He was still holding the poetry book.
He sat down slightly down the slope while reciting in a low voice.
Only the tips of his shoulders were faintly visible.

From the left, Shiki appeared, followed by Otsubo.

Shiki (blocking Otsubo’s path, hands on hips, in a slightly formal tone): “So… absolutely no good?”

Otsubo (avoiding his gaze): “I appreciate the offer, but I refuse.”

Shiki (dejectedly): “If you’re gonna refuse me that flat-out, there’s nothin’ more I can say… But just to be sure—ain’t there anythin’ good about her at all? To put it bluntly—do you hate her that much?”

Even when confronted with such defiance from him, Otsubo couldn’t answer.

Shiki: “Is our social status too different?”

Otsubo: “Social status ain’t any different.”

"As for my mother, it's been arranged for her to be taken back to her family home in Utsunomiya when she's left alone. I’ve already made arrangements with my uncle beforehand."

Otsubo: "Anyway, you must be worried about what comes after too, so we'll all handle that part somehow. There’s no need to rush your sister into marriage, is there?"

Shiki: "Ain’t like I’m rushin’ her. If you’d just make a promise—any promise—then I’ll be satisfied."

“Your mother’s the one who said that, ain’t she?”

Shiki’s mother had said the same.

“If you’re gonna hand over your sister, better pick a man who ain’t gonna die in this war.”

Shiki, taken aback, stared at the other man’s face.

Otsubo (unperturbed): “Folks don’t always know what they’re thinkin’ themselves, y’know? If it were me gettin’ drafted and you handin’ over your sister—now that’d be somethin’ to thank you for. Guess that sorta human decency’s gone extinct these days.”

Shiki: “Sanji, that’s pure spite talkin’. A man might not grasp his own thoughts sometimes—depends on the matter. Take it back, will ya? We ain’t such small-minded bastards! You don’t get a lick of what’s in my heart... Hard as it is to say—Fuku here wants you. Her whole happiness hangs on this one thing. And it ain’t just her—you’d do right takin’ her as your wife, sure as... Ah, damn me for sayin’ it! Listen straight now, Sanji. Once I’m gone to the front, there’ll be nobody left to tell you this... Hearts not connectin’—that’s sorrow itself. Truth stayin’ hidden—that cuts deeper still.”

“Let alone the truth, I can’t even see half the world… That’s how it feels to me.”

Shiki (placing both hands on your shoulders): “Even after I’ve said all this… still ain’t enough?”

Otsubo (turning his face away): “Even after hearin’ all that from you…”
“Fate’s been cruel to me.”
“I gotta fight that fate till my last breath.”
“Forgive me.”
“Like I told ya before—I ain’t holdin’ no grudge ’gainst you.”
“You’re my closest friend in this whole world.”
“Then why’d you—my damn closest friend—go an’ make this broken body with your own hands?”
“Why’s gotta be you alone they’re sendin’ off to war?”
“I wanna go with ya.”
“Wanna lock arms and duck under them bullets together.”
“Sleep back-to-back in them trenches.”
“Plant two Hinomaru flags side by side and storm the enemy lines.”
“Hell—you even understand how maddenin’ this is?”

Shiki (sullenly): “I can’t think about things as deep as you do.”
“But whether it’s good to think so seriously…”
“It’s ’cause you talk like that—it just hit me. Maybe the reason you ended up unfit for the front is ’cause the gods got some job here at home that only you can do. That’s their divine plan, ain’t it?”

Otsubo (suddenly pulled back with a bitter smile): “A job only I can do?”
“Surely it’s not about making some cross-eyed kid.”

“Stop crackin’ jokes.”
(Sat down and opened his bento, beginning to eat.) “Well, sit here.”
“Want some?”

Otsubo (sitting down beside him): “Don’t need it.”

“Tea?”

Otsubo (drank tea from the bottle’s mouth)

Shiki: “Still, it’s good we’ve at least gotten to where everyone can pull together like this when somethin’ happens.”

Otsubo: “It’s all just surface.”

Shiki: “There are such aspects. We’ve gotta start by hammerin’ our own characters straight—beginning with us. To be honest, when I saw that Red Draft Notice, I was startled. Now I’m a soldier. Will I even be any use?”

Otsubo: “Shut up about things like that. They say once you see the enemy’s faces, you’ll gain courage…”

“I didn’t have your kinda guts—jumpin’ off railway bridges like you did.”
The night path through Rengeji Temple down to Shitamachi still sat uneasy in my gut.
“Damn fool!”
“Fuku-chan’s got more spine than both of us put together when it comes down to it.”

“That’s right. She went to that lecture course down that road for a whole week.”
“She came back at eleven.”
“Ran into you on the way back, didn’t she?”

Otsubo: “I was the one who got spooked.”
“Coverin’ her head with that furoshiki cloth…”
“She’s grown into a proper woman.”

Shiki (hesitating slightly): “So why ain’t you thinkin’ of takin’ that proper woman for yourself?”

Otsubo: “There’s others who’d want her.”
“I ain’t given it thought yet.”
“For now… I’ll keep my mind off it.”
“What with this—who knows what’ll become of me down the road.”
“No call for her to come traipsin’ to some wanderer’s place.”

Suddenly, Kosuge began declaiming poetry in a resounding voice.
Shiki and Otsubo jerked around in surprise.

Shiki (frowning): “He’s makin’ such a weird noise!”
“Gives me the creeps.”

Otsubo (listening intently): "But it’s not half bad."

Kosuge continues reading with growing smugness.

From both sides, Kashiwabara, Nichiryo, Yabe, Tatsumi, Akiko, and two young men appeared one after another.
Everyone stopped and listened intently to the poem.

Shiki (finishing his bento, rolling up the bamboo wrapper, and throwing it at Kosuge) “Done!”

A momentary stir.
Laughter.

Shiki (putting on an angry act): “You there eavesdropping on folks’ talk—get out here!”

Kosuge (emerging): “Wasn’t hidin’.”
“Just you lot didn’t notice me here.”

Shiki (to Kashiwabara): “You call this guy here just to make them strange noises?”

“Did you take care of what I mentioned earlier, Kosuge-kun?”

“That’s… still not done.”

Kashiwabara: “Alright—hurry up and sort out the tanzaku display area.”
“With waka and haiku combined, we’ll likely get about two hundred…”
“If the layout really won’t work, use the school classrooms.”

The main hall at Nichiryo Temple could serve too.

Kashiwabara: “Ah—about the temple—Monk, we’ll have you let us use it for the daycare.”
“The Young Women’s Association claims they’ll handle it responsibly…”

Yabe: “In that case, today’s schedule is more or less finished then.”

Kashiwabara: “Not yet—we still have the ceremony meeting next. Gather at the shrine office.”

The group exited one after another.

Shiki (calling out to Otsubo): “Hey, San-chan, got a bit more I need to talk about…”

“Let’s talk properly tonight.”

Shiki: “That’s fine too, but it’ll be late tonight.”
Otsubo: “No matter how late it gets, it’s fine.”
Shiki: “I see.”
Shiki: “Well then, let’s do that.”

As the two started to leave, Fuku appeared from the left.

Fuku (following after him): “Brother, where’s the empty bento box?”

Shiki: “The empty bottle’s over there.”

Fuku: “What about the bamboo wrapper?”

Shiki threw it over there.
(approaching Fuku as if suddenly remembering) “Hey, San-chan’s still no good.”
“Give up on him.”

Fuku turned her back on her brother with a spin of her heels.

Shiki (as he’s leaving, turning back once more toward her): “Listen, give up on him.”

Fuku gave a light nod.
Without showing any sign of being moved, she stared fixedly into the distance.

—Curtain—

Act II

Shiki Koichi's house.
A stage with the inner room, living room, and shopfront arranged side by side.
In the back right room stood a Buddhist altar.
Only a photograph of Shiki Koichi in his military uniform was displayed; his remains had yet to arrive.

In the living room sat a sunken hearth.
On the wall hung two old-fashioned hunting guns and a game bag with ostentatious prominence.
The shop lay half-cleared up, part of its wooden flooring covered by a straw mat.
On the front shelf sat cans and empty bottles in disarray alongside a single caramel poster.
The candy store gave every impression of having ceased operations.

Facing the Buddhist altar, Mikumo Nichiryo reverently burned incense.

In the tearoom were Kin (Koichi’s mother), Iida Toramatsu (Acting Mayor), Kitano Morio (Principal of the National School), and several other elderly individuals.

In the shop area, Kamijima, Kosuge, Kashiwabara, Kawazoe, Yabe, Tatsumi, and other young people were clustered.

In the midst of this, Fuku, Akiko, and Fuku’s friend Takagi Chiyo moved about offering cushions and pouring tea.

Amidst the solemn quiet, a tense air could be felt.

Kitano: “It was when he departed... that...”

Kashiwabara: “May nineteenth.”

Iida (counting on his fingers): “It’s been exactly half a year. Likely one of the very first battles. Central China, wasn’t it?”

Kin: “I don’t know the details, but after we received the notice of his death, a later letter mentioned Central China.”

Kitano: “So the one visiting today must be that battalion commander from back then.”

Iida: “Whether he was a company commander or regiment commander—I can’t say for certain—but Branch Chief Kadozaki apparently met him by chance at Sakura Sanatorium and asked him to come today. It seems Chief Kadozaki insisted it’d be wrong for him alone to hear about Shiki-kun’s final moments in battle, so he kept pleading with the battalion commander. But since the commander said he couldn’t speak publicly in his official capacity, they settled on him sharing the story privately with those closest to Shiki—and finally got his consent.”

Kitano: “That’s very gracious of him.”

Kin: “The Battalion Commander also sustained injuries…”

Iida: “That’s right. He’s recuperating in the home country.”
“However, for him to go out of his way to come all the way here is no ordinary matter.”

Kitano: “There don’t seem to be many young women here.”

Kashiwabara: “Mr. Kadozaki said we shouldn’t let too many women in.”

Iida: “Hoh, that’s quite a strict directive from Mr. Kadozaki. Akiko, is it all right for you to stay?”

Akiko: “Chiyo-chan and I received special permission.”

Iida: “On account of you being mannish enough, I suppose.”

Akiko: “No... They said we wouldn’t be counted among the women...”

Iida: “No, no—you’re too modest.... Speaking of which, what a shame Shiki-kun left no heir.”

Kitano: “Indeed. That gun-wielding rascal who used to rampage about—we could’ve used one like him now.”
(hearing the young people snickering) “Hm? What was that?”

“If it’s that sort of successor they need, then Miss Fuku here’ll do just fine—that’s what they’re saying around these parts…”

Hearing this, Fuku's eyes widened and she glared at Yabe.

“Who says that?”
“Who is it?”
(Everyone laughed.)

Kosuge: “It’s not anyone in particular.”

Iida: “No one in particular, you say?
“Indeed, she’s a steady one, Miss Fuku… Her appearance brims with charm, but…”

“Ugh, Deputy Mayor...”
“He goes around saying things like that to everyone…”

The sense of someone approaching from outside.
The group adjusted their posture.
Otsubo Sanji’s father, Daigo, quietly entered—an old man with a sparse chin beard and unconventional appearance, holding flowers in one hand.

“Is everyone already gathered here?”
Thinking there was still time, he had gone to Sasayama to receive a few white chrysanthemums.

Iida found the presence of Otsubo’s retired gentleman unusual.
He was someone who never attended public gatherings, yet...

Otsubo: “I don’t go where folks tell me to come.”
“But today—since my boy’s runnin’ late—I’m here as his stand-in.”
He entered the tearoom and gave a curt nod to all.
(Fuku took the flowers from the old man’s hand.) “Hunh. So you’re the sister.”
“Heard ’bout you plenty—first time seein’ the real article.”
(Stared down by those piercing eyes, Fuku didn’t know where to look.)

“Does she resemble Shiki-kun?”

“The older brother came around to our house now and then,” said Otsubo, “but I don’t recall much.”
“That was from when he was small.”

Kitano leaned forward. “I never taught Shiki-kun myself, but you gentlemen here would’ve been about his age. What was he good at in elementary school?”

Kamijima scratched his head. “What was it now...”
“Never much for studying, I’d say.”

Kosuge’s voice cut through the murmurs. “But he listened proper when teachers spoke.”
“Pure-hearted, he was.”
“More than any of us...”

Tatsumi: "Course you were special precocious—turned red quick as a match whenever some lady teacher called your name."
"Shiki never had none of that in him."

Kamijima: “He seems sturdy, but somehow... you might say weak-spirited.”

Tatsumi: “He was always mediating fights.”

Yabe: “Right, right. Even when upperclassmen fought each other, he’d jump in to mediate. He was different.”

Kosuge: “He’d throw pencils at utility poles, roll paper into balls in his mouth and stick them perfectly onto signboard characters, and in the end even managed to catch everything from sparrows to ducks with stones.”
“So that’s why he became a hunter.”

Kitano: “He loved peace, yet took pleasure in killing.”

Kashiwabara: “Shiki-kun’s fondness for hunting wasn’t the sort that takes pleasure in killing. It was an instinct—to love nature and engage with it. That’s how I see it.”

Iida: “Complicated stuff. Don’t get it myself. All I remember’s eating that badger meat Shiki-kun hunted down—wasn’t tasty or nothin’.”

Voices could be heard outside.

Iida: (straightening up) “Ah, looks like they’re here.”

Guided by Sumizaki Kuzo, chairman of the local veterans’ association branch clad in an Army sergeant major’s uniform, Yuki Masatoshi, wearing an officer’s cloak over a white garment, appeared before the shopfront.

Kin hurriedly rose to greet them.
Following that, Iida and Kitano also rose from their seats and greeted them.
The rest of the group adjusted their posture and bowed in silence.

Sumizaki: (proceeding further inside) “Please, this way...”

Yuki: “Pardon me.”
(Limping slightly, he took a seat in the back.)

Sumizaki: (remaining on his knees beside him) “I shall make the introductions.”
“This is Honorable Major Yuki.”
“Today, despite being in the midst of his convalescence, Honorable Major Yuki has traveled all this way specifically for Private First Class Shiki’s bereaved family and their close relatives.”
“Of course, this stems from his noble intention to personally console the heroic spirit of his former subordinate, Private First Class Shiki. However, by way of this occasion, Honorable Major Yuki has graciously resolved to recount to us all—in exacting detail, just as he witnessed it firsthand with his own eyes—the glorious final moments of Private First Class Shiki, so stirring it would move even demons and gods to tears.”
“This is truly a rare opportunity, and we, for our part, first and foremost feel the honor of our community as our own, and thus wish to express our profound gratitude to Honorable Major Yuki.”

Yuki: (After bowing to everyone, he approaches the altar and offers a moment of silent prayer.)
(After offering incense, gazing intently at the photograph, then returning to his seat and placing both hands down) "I am Major Yuki."
"To the bereaved family, I first express my heartfelt gratitude and condolences."
"As you have likely heard from Sumizaki-kun, I have come here today purely in a personal capacity."
"For thoroughness' sake, I will clarify my relationship with Shiki."
"I am not Private First Class Shiki's direct superior officer."
"In other words, I served as adjutant to the superior unit commander of Shiki's assigned regiment."
"However, during operations in that sector, I happened to be stationed on the front line—mere hundreds of meters from enemy positions—where I closely observed every movement of a certain unit advancing in dispersed formation."
"The enemy fortifications had been solidly constructed along the ridgeline of a low hill."
"Their equipment proved formidable—machine guns and mortars maintained relentless concentrated fire, making any immediate full assault impossible."
"In such situations, we would painstakingly inch forward toward strategic points—even this gradual approach presented commanders with difficult tactical decisions."
"Our headquarters staff utilized a shallow depression for cover, though shells fell incessantly nearby while machine gun rounds tore through the air like winter gales."
"Duty-bound to ensure safety, I repeatedly urged His Excellency the unit commander to lower his posture—yet he merely nodded silently behind his binoculars."
"It was an acutely perilous moment."
Then His Excellency suddenly called my name—"Look there... What's that... That's—"
"I hastily readjusted my binoculars—though in truth, it stood clearly visible to unaided eyes."
"Amidst the thick swirling dust—far ahead of our scattered formation coalescing into clusters—yes."
"Not precisely ahead but midway between enemy and friendly lines—a single soldier held aloft the Hinomaru flag as he scrambled up the slope."
"Ah—my hand instinctively clenched my sword hilt."
"The soldier pitched forward—'He's down,' I reported, turning to His Excellency—'No,' he curtly interjected—'Alive! Still alive!"
"'Shimomura Company's position, if I recall...'"

“That is correct. The soldier was still alive. We had ascertained up to the rightmost flank squad of Shimomura Company’s Western Platoon. However, His Excellency must have secretly wished to learn even that soldier’s name—‘What madness!’ ‘There he goes again, that one…’ ‘Shimomura Company has commenced their advance.’ ‘He did it, he did it… Hmm, that sort of fellow is sometimes necessary’—the words had scarcely ended when the soldier once again started running clumsily. From the enemy position, it was likely no more than a hundred meters away. He was frantically waving the flag—seeming to mock the enemy while signaling something to his allies. The footing was no doubt poor as well. The sight of him dragging each step forward lay utterly exposed to the enemy. Sure enough, on the ridgeline, enemies raising grenades appeared like shadow puppets. One, two, three, four—they somersaulted and fell one after another. That was only natural. On our side, calmly and methodically in prepared firing positions, we were firing straight into their faces. ‘Hmm, what a remarkable fellow’—His Excellency shook with delight. This interval lasted mere seconds. No sooner had the Hinomaru flag swayed even more violently from side to side than it streamed into the enemy position like a gust of wind. (After a beat) Shimomura Company brilliantly broke through an enemy position that had been expected to require twenty-four hours to capture—accomplishing it in mere hours—thereby making the entire army’s advance exceedingly straightforward.”

It was that evening.
His Excellency the Unit Commander told me he wished to meet that soldier.
I immediately rode out on horseback myself to serve as messenger.

(After a beat) Everyone, until that moment, Private First Class Shiki had been alive and well.

The stage suddenly darkens.
(Or plain curtain)

A part of the stage was illuminated by lighting.

A room in a Chinese house.

The unit commander, a certain Major General, was leaning back in a chair.
Beside him stood the adjutant, Major Yuki.

Facing this, Private First Class Shiki stood rigidly at attention in full military uniform.

Distant gunfire.
The distant howl of a dog.

Unit Commander: “Splendid work.”
“I saw exactly how you did it.”
“A splendid achievement.”
“You didn’t even get a scratch.”
“(After a beat) Hey, Private First Class Shiki—I’ve praised you like this, but now I’ll ask: how many battles does this make for you?”

Shiki: “Yes, this is my first time.”

“Scouting missions?”

“Yes, I went on scouting missions, but no enemy was sighted.”

“Are you aware that soldiers must act in accordance with their commander’s orders?”

Shiki: "Yes, I know."

Unit Commander: "How do you account for your actions today? Can you state you followed the commander's orders?"

Shiki: "..."

Unit Commander: "I cannot say that was so. Yet it proved correct. That fortune came through divine protection. Had you rushed out alone and been struck down, this would have achieved nothing. That must be the case. Did you consider such eventualities might exist?"

Shiki…

“To value your life is cowardice.”
“To waste one’s life is disloyalty.”
“Do you understand?”
“You must not fear death.”
“But… I especially tell you this—die when you must die.”
“Is that clear?”

Shiki (hangs his head).

Unit Commander: (changing his tone, slowly) "Shiki... When I look at your face like this, there's something that doesn't quite add up about you."
"Shall I be the one to say it?"
"How should I put this... Listen here—don't you think you 'want to die'?"
"Tell me the truth—just between us."

Shiki (after a long hesitation): "Someone like me... Unless I truly die... I don't believe I can serve adequately anyway."

Unit Commander: “If you don’t die”—what do you mean by that?
“Are you saying dying counts as proper honorable service to His Majesty?”

Shiki: Yes. Merely performing full-fledged service isn’t enough for someone like me.
“Returning alive is something I simply cannot do—no matter what.”

Unit Commander: “Hmm, the reason? Explain it in detail.”

“When I was a child, I accidentally hit my friend’s eye with a bow and arrow, and in the end, that man couldn’t become a soldier.”
“He forgave my mistake, but my sin won’t disappear just because he forgave me.”
“Since I’ve been allowed onto the front lines like this, when I think I must fight for my friend’s sake as well, there’s no choice left but to be struck by a bullet and die.”
“I can’t accomplish anything more splendid than that.”
(After a beat) “It’s only this single-minded resolve to fight recklessly and die that finally makes me feel I can become a soldier who meets expectations.”

Unit Commander: (quietly, with emotion) “Understood.”
“Proceed with that resolve.”
“Let me say this one last time—your resolve only becomes commendable when it’s driven by the spirit to kill as many enemies as possible.”
“It’s not just today—tomorrow, the day after, no—we soldiers have the grave duty to fight to the bitter end and win this war, however many years it may drag on.”
“You took down at least four enemies before my eyes today.”
“Tomorrow, kill five.”
“The day after tomorrow, kill six.”
“Once you’ve killed a hundred that way, I’ll meet you again.”
“Is that clear?”
“Alright, go back.”

“Yes, I will definitely kill five tomorrow.”

The lights went out, plunging the stage into darkness.

When the lights came up again, the stage remained exactly as it had been.

Those who spoke and those who listened alike wore expressions of unbearable sorrow.
There were those who wiped their tears.
The faint sobbing of women.

Yuki: (haltingly) "The following day..."
"The unit began a simultaneous assault to break through the enemy's second position."
"The enemy's defenses had grown even more formidable; we had to brace ourselves for considerable casualties."
"The headquarters was located at a vantage point where the entire battle situation could be surveyed at a glance."
"I was handling telegraph communications with the artillery position under orders when—'Hey, Yuki! That soldier's rushed out again.'"
At His Excellency the Unit Commander's voice, I involuntarily stood up.
It was a day of fierce wind.
Caught in the wind, the Hinomaru flag fluttered as though it might tear apart.
Advanced—advanced—relentlessly onward.
I held my breath and watched—a solitary black shadow pressed onward across the sun-scorched slope of red earth. He'll be killed—today he'll be killed.
His Excellency the Unit Commander muttered low, as if spitting out.
The Hinomaru flag swiftly touched the ground.
The black shadow did not move.
The Hinomaru flag swayed violently.
Twice, three times—however, it was slow and gentle.
And finally, having fallen extremely quietly to the right, it then disappeared into the sandstorm.

Amidst the women’s gradually intensifying sobs came a sudden torrential sob—it was Otsubo Sanji, who had arrived unnoticed at some point.
In a corner of the shop where young people had gathered, he sat in their shadow with his clenched fist pressed against his knee, weeping without restraint.

As His Excellency Unit Commander Yuki stated—and as I too believe—while Shiki-kun’s actions could be called brave in terms of bravery and pure in terms of purity, considered solely on those merits, they cannot be entirely free from charges of recklessness.
We cannot go so far as to proclaim them a model for the entire army.
“Having ensured your full understanding on that point, I now declare plainly to all present: not only we soldiers, but as Japanese people, I am deeply moved by Shiki-kun’s single-minded resolve.”
“The loyal valor of our soldiers is by no means uncommon.”
“The resolve to forgo survival burns fiercely in every soldier’s heart.”
“Those who achieve an honorable death and distinguish themselves through military merit are not few.”

“In Shiki-kun’s case, however, I consider everything to have been an exception in every respect.”
“The resolute, guileless spirit that condemned a personal failing as a national crime, bound friendship to duty through loyalty, and held that no service surpasses death on the battlefield—I cannot contemplate this without tears.”
“To speak of all his merits would know no end.”
“This is what it means to be Japanese.”
“This is a son of Japan.”
“I reverently pray for Shiki-kun’s peaceful repose.”
End.

A long moment.
The expressions of everyone gradually brightened.

Sumisaki: “Thank you very much.”

Iida: “No… Truly, there’s nothing more to say.”

A long moment.

Nichiryo burned incense at the Buddhist altar.
A moment of silent prayer was observed.

Fuku poured tea for Major Yuki and served it.

Yabe: "From the day he got drafted, I'd thought there was something not right about him."

Kashiwabara: "Hmm."
"Now that you mention it... It wasn't normal."

Yabe: "He was different somehow."
"Didn't you notice, San-chan?"

Otsubo fell silent.

Old Man Otsubo: (To Major Yuki) “I’ve engraved your words deep in my heart.”
“There he sits—the one with the bad eye—my son. I reckon this must’ve stirred him all the more.”
“Like as not, he’s beside himself with grief.”

Yuki: (With mild surprise) “Ah—so he was here?”

Old Man Otsubo: “Here he was… Heard every last word of your speech, I’d wager.”
“You’ve done us a kindness, letting us hear such noble things.”
“My boy’ll do something manly now—won’t let himself be outdone by Shiki-kun.”

YUKI: “That said—whether it was truly proper for me to have directly conveyed such matters to your ears—I must confess I acted rather carelessly... I deeply understand the position you both are in.”
“Though we seem to have a monk present here as well—life remains what they call impermanent and ever-changing.”

Iida (glancing at his watch): “Yet how busy things remain unchanged.”
“As acting mayor, I must now go receive someone—pardon my abruptness—but I’ll take my leave first...”
(Exit)

Yuki: “Then I’ll take my leave.”
“I’ll remain until the train’s departure time.”
“......”

Sumisaki: “Ah—allow me to guide you.”
“Though there’s truly nothing worth seeing here...”

“Please show me just the castle ruins for a moment.”
“Well then, everyone...”
“Mother... please take care of yourself.”

Major Yuki pressed his forehead to the floor before the Buddhist altar, rose quietly, and left.

Kitano: “Shall we disband as well?”

Kashiwabara: “I have Kashiwabara’s students waiting…”

Following Kitano and Kashiwabara, the group rose from their seats one after another.

“Goodbye,” came the women’s voices.
“If you need anything else, anytime,” they added, along with similar farewells.

Finally，as if by prior agreement，only Old Man Otsubo and Sanji remained．

Kin was by Old Man Otsubo’s side；Fuku was tidying up the zabuton cushions and teacups in the room．

Sanji （wearing a look of resolve）：Pa…

Old Man Otsubo （as if comprehending everything from his tone）：Mm，alright，alright．I understand．

Sanji （with slight bashfulness）：Pa…That’s not it…

Old Man Otsubo：What’s not right？
“I said I understood，didn’t I？”
“Since it’s hard for you to say，I’ll say it for you．”

Sanji (growing even more flustered): “I can’t do it now.”
Old Man Otsubo: “Whether it’s no good or not—you won’t know unless you try.”
“Well… Mother…”

Kin started and raised her face.

Old Man Otsubo: “My boy here—well, he’s a man of this sort—how ’bout you take the plunge and give us your girl as his bride?”

Fuku, hearing this, crouched in the corner of the room and suddenly hid her face in her sleeve.

Sanji (unable to bear it any longer): “Pa…”

Old Man Otsubo: “Shut up. If there’s already some other arrangement, that’d be different, but…”

Kin (keeping an eye on Fuku): “Oh no, there’s no such settled arrangement…”

Old Man Otsubo: “Well then, if Fuku-chan agrees, you’ve got no objections, right?”

Fuku (flustered, turning sharply toward her mother): “Mother, wait…”

Old Man Otsubo (amusedly): “Hmm, shall I hear your opinion first?”

Fuku (standing up as she speaks): “I—I don’t know what Sanji-san thinks about this, so I…” (She said this rapidly, then clattered off toward the kitchen.)

Kin (taken aback): “This... this…”

Old Man Otsubo (in increasingly good spirits): “She’s a spirited girl, isn’t she?”

Kin: “As you can see, she’s just like that, truly…”

Old Man Otsubo: “Hey, Sanji—you should ask Mother properly too.”

Sanji (fidgeting nervously)

“Well, this’ll do for now.”
“Let’s get going for now.”
“We’ve got the general plan sorted out.”
“Let’s have a proper go-between in due course and settle everything.”

Old Man Otsubo sat formally before the Buddhist altar and prayed with hands pressed together for a moment.
He burned incense, nodded to Kin gestured for Sanji to follow and headed out to the front.

Kin (accompanying them to the entrance): “I don’t know what’s come over me today—I’m so scatterbrained, I couldn’t even say what needed saying.”
“Truly, I couldn’t even attend to you properly...”

Sanji also finally stood up.
Fuku cracked open the kitchen’s sliding door a sliver and started to peek her face out.
She met eyes with Sanji.
Fuku tried to pull her face back, but she was too late.
They exchanged bashful smiles.
Sanji left just like that.
Fuku watched him leave with a beautiful gaze.

――Curtain――

Author’s Note.
This work was written for the Shochiku National Mobile Theatre Troupe—one of the participating troupes—taking into account various logistical requirements for the Japan Mobile Theatre Federation’s inaugural Tokyo performance.