Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
← Back
| Original Title | 乞食の名誉 |
|---|---|
| Author | 伊藤 野枝 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Female Author |
| Summary | In a snow-cloaked city, Toshiko navigates the suffocating weight of duty and isolation. Trapped in a loveless marriage and bound by the rigid expectations of her husband’s family, she endures relentless criticism from a domineering mother-in-law and a spiteful sister-in-law. Her days blur into ceaseless childcare and household drudgery, stifling her yearning for intellectual freedom. Yet amid the cold hostility of her home, she clings to stolen moments of study, fueled by a biography of Emma Goldman—a fiery anarchist who defied oppression with unyielding courage. Goldman’s life of rebellion against societal injustice mirrors Toshiko’s silent revolt, igniting a desperate longing to break free from tradition’s chains. But the warmth of her infant child tethers her to a life she despises, each tender breath a reminder of sacrifices made. As blizzards rage outside, Toshiko’s inner turmoil intensifies: Can she reconcile maternal love with her hunger for selfhood, or will the weight of familial duty extinguish her flickering resolve? A haunting portrait of a woman torn between obligation and liberation unfolds, where every snowflake whispers a question without answer. |
← Return to List← Return to TOP