Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
← Back
North-SouthAuthor: Yokomitsu Riichi
| Original Title | 南北 |
|---|---|
| Author | 横光 利一 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a rural village steeped in generational rivalry, two men—Akizō and Kanji—clash violently during a communal banquet, their animosity rooted in a bitter family history. Once connected by kinship, their households now stand divided: Akizō’s lineage, once wealthy, has crumbled into ruin, while Kanji’s family thrives, dominating village affairs. Their feud reignites when Anji, a destitute, ailing relative, returns after years of absence. Desperate and near death, Anji becomes a pawn in their power struggle as both men scheme to offload him onto the other, exposing their pride and moral hypocrisy. Akizō manipulates Kanji into taking responsibility, while Kanji’s mother protests the burden, revealing tensions between familial duty and self-interest. The village intervenes, constructing a makeshift hut for Anji, but this act of charity fails to quell the underlying hostility. As pride collides with obligation, the men’s relentless rivalry threatens to unravel fragile alliances, leaving readers to wonder whether compassion or vengeance will ultimately prevail in this stark tale of honor and decay. |
← Return to List← Return to TOP