Pathway to Japanese Literature

Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.

DepartureAuthor: Shimazaki Tōson

Original Title	出発
Author	島崎藤村
Genre	War & Social Literature
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	In a quiet Tokyo household marked by lingering grief, an aging clock ticks once more—a silent witness to loss and change. Three years after Aunt’s sudden death, Uncle navigates life with his two young sons and their devoted caretakers: sisters Ose and Oei. As Ose’s wedding approaches, the house buzzes with bittersweet preparations—kimonos unfold like memories, yellow roses adorn Aunt’s altar, and laughter mingles with the children’s clingy protests. Yet shadows linger: Uncle’s solitary sighs over untouched belongings, fleeting visions of departed loved ones, and Ose’s restless longing for a future beyond these walls. \nThe sisters balance duty and desire—Oei’s quiet resilience contrasts Ose’s feverish anticipation as she stitches bridal garments. Uncle oscillates between gruff tenderness and melancholy, haunted by time’s passage. Through sweltering days and rain-soaked afternoons, bonds strain and strengthen. When Ose departs, her absence leaves echoes in every corner—a half-finished sewing project, wilted yatsude leaves, and children who still reach for her in sleep. Yet life persists: boats glide on the Sumida River, letters bridge distant shores, and fragile hopes bloom like anemones in cracked pots. A story of thresholds—between past and future, duty and selfhood—where every farewell carries the weight of unwritten tomorrows.