Pathway to Japanese Literature

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A Man Who Leaves His Fortune to PrincipleAuthor: Kishida Kunio

See Author Details Here：Wiki (Kishida Kunio)

Original Title	運を主義にまかす男
Author	岸田国士
Genre	Modern Short Fiction
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	In a dilapidated suburban house, two unemployed friends embody clashing philosophies. Sokono, a lethargic college dropout, clings to his mantra of waiting for fortune while idling on tatami floors. His roommate Tobita, a restless hustler, scours Tokyo daily for opportunities, convinced success favors the proactive. Their stagnant existence is punctuated by eccentric visitors—a desperate peddler hawking dubious remedies, a debt-collecting girl from their past, and a one-armed veteran peddling wartime nostalgia—all met with equal apathy. \nA twist arrives when a prized songbird worth 300 yen crashes into their apathetic world. Tobita’s accidental capture of the escaped bird leads to an unexpected windfall: a grateful owner rewards them with 50 yen. The incident sparks a heated rivalry—did Tobita’s relentless searching or Sokono’s passive waiting secure the prize? Their banter crackles with humor and thinly veiled desperation as they dissect luck’s fickle nature, each claiming victory. \nAmidst winter’s bleakness and unpaid bills, this odd duo navigates poverty with wit and stubborn pride. The story teases whether their clash of principles will lead to redemption or deeper folly, leaving readers curious to see which philosophy—if either—can sustain them in a world indifferent to both hustlers and dreamers.