Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
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SoushiAuthor: Okamoto Kanoko
| Original Title | 荘子 |
|---|---|
| Author | 岡本 かの子 |
| Genre | Fantasy & Sci-Fi |
| Author Type | Female Author |
| Summary | In the turbulent era of China’s Warring States Period, Zhuangzi—a disillusioned scholar-philosopher—abandons the clamor of political intrigue and intellectual rivalry to seek solace in nature’s quiet wisdom. Resting beneath an ancient oak tree deemed useless by society, he contemplates the Taoist ideal of embracing one’s innate nature, free from human artifice. His patron, the merchant Shiri Son, disrupts his seclusion with tales of shifting alliances and the enigmatic courtesan Li Ji, whose audacious spirit captivates Zhuangzi’s curiosity. Encouraged by his devoted wife, he journeys to Luoyang, where Li Ji’s unrestrained vitality challenges his philosophical musings. Yet their encounter sparks unexpected transformations: Li Ji’s fiery independence wanes into self-doubt, while Zhuangzi finds clarity not in books but in the rhythmic labor of chopping wood. As autumn’s chill deepens, both grapple with the paradox of existence—where the pursuit of meaning collides with the simplicity of being. Amidst decaying empires and fleeting beauty, Zhuangzi’s path unfolds as a meditation on surrender, desire, and the elusive harmony between humanity and the natural world. |
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