Pathway to Japanese Literature

In those periods when G found himself somewhat distanced from Iko, conversing with him about Iko—who never withheld his sympathy—became both a comfort and salvation. He was Takemura, the youth whom G loved most. He was sincere and blessed with artistic talent, yet often found himself short even for coffee money and train fare. That was because he had not lost his artistic pride and proletarian spirit.

Even then, after passionately concluding his paean to Iko, Takemura suddenly raised his eyebrows and began speaking with humble reserve about what was for him a rather unusual closeness to a woman. "So she's not a cafe waitress, then?" "I think it's acceptable to tell even you, Sensei, but please keep it secret from Ms. Iko." "It's all right." "Is it Sumiko?" "Oh yes, that's right." Sumiko was the lover of a certain young Western-style painter and was herself a violinist; she would occasionally come to assist Iko with her errands. Still dependent on his parents while maintaining such a relationship only served to further harden his wealthy father's resolve; thus, the life shared by this Western-style painter and musician—fellow lovers—was far from happy. Thus, it was Iko who was providing Sumiko with material support.

G came to know Sumiko around last summer, shortly after Iko had entered his household. Iko had known Sumiko since her previous married life. Thus, upon learning that Iko had entered G’s household, Sumiko began visiting again. G came to know K—the Western-style painter with whom she would later become romantically involved—around last winter, when Iko maintained a separate household in the immediate vicinity of G’s home. As Iko had two children to care for, she thought it mutually beneficial for Sumiko to come to her house.

“It’s troublesome when you screech away on the violin, but wouldn’t it be better to practice whenever possible while I’m out?” However, as the young lover had just begun cohabiting with Sumiko, K—led by Sumiko—visited Iko to plead about their living circumstances.

“He’s quite an elevated young man.” “That one will become a proper artist before long.” “Perhaps rather too elevated for Ms. Sumiko’s station.” Iko had praised this purity of his, but when he came descending the staircase on his way out, G—remaining standing—exchanged a nod with him. Afterward came two or three occasions for discussing art with him.

Therefore, when G heard from Takemura that the new object of his affections—though he hadn't stated it explicitly—was Sumiko, he was momentarily taken aback. "Has it been going on for quite some time now?" "No, it's only recently." "Since when?" "Please don’t ask about that. Well, it’s nothing more than friendship, you see." "Have you been to that woman’s house?" "Uh, two or three times. Once, when Mr. K came over, it was a bit troublesome, but Ms. Sumiko seems to dislike being regarded as his lover. She says she’s not a lover."

“You do tend to bring that up often.” “Moreover, she has no guaranteed livelihood.” “He’s finally managed to have an atelier built next to the house in Chiba this time, and construction is progressing, but with his father being stubborn and there being so many meddlesome female relatives, it’s hardly an environment for music studies—which is why Sumiko is reluctant to go.” “That woman isn’t a homemaker either, you know.” “She smokes and drinks, does she?” “That does seem to be the case.”

“She drinks an awful lot.” “She’s so young, yet understands our circumstances so well.” “She encourages us and makes us cry.” “I heard she has astigmatism or something, but there’s a certain charm in those eyes.” “Well, she’s quite a beauty.” “So it’s just kissing?” “Well...” Takemura neither affirmed nor denied it, “However, when she first came to my lodging and confessed to me, I was rather surprised.” “But please keep it secret from Ms. Iko.”

“It would be better not to say such things.” “At least until Sumiko tells Iko something herself.”

“More importantly, I was in a real bind when Mr.S spotted me at Shinbashi Station.” “Didn’t Mr.S say anything?”

S— was a young reporter for a certain literary magazine. “No, nothing at all.” “Just then, both of us were nearly penniless—to the point where we couldn’t even enter a café—so we went in there and sat on a bench.” “It’s nothing serious.” “Livelihood seems quite difficult.” “It seems she hasn’t received any guarantees from Mr.K.” “I could do a little something about it, but...” Takemura added that he had introduced her, who was seeking a more preferable livelihood, to some young people from a theater troupe.

“I did feel sorry for Mr.K, but...” “She wants to stand on stage?” “Well, she is young after all.” “What sort of troupe?” “It’s still merely an experimental attempt at this stage.” “I found other lines of work for her.”

The conversation ended there.

Since he also knew Mr.K, G could neither affirm nor deny it. Moreover, there was no need for that. But if he could have wished, he did not want to cause K misfortune through such new incidents. Yet everything had been Sumiko’s free will.

On one occasion, Iko had wanted a certain matter settled through Sumiko’s assistance, but as Sumiko—who should have come—had not shown herself for two or three days, she was growing somewhat irritable. Iko was staying at the inn at that time. G too had been spending much of his days there. When the two took Sumiko along on their walks, there somehow tended to be many opportune moments. In the chill of night winds, it had become the season when even Iko found herself recalling her white fox-fur collar. She needed fresh undergarments and even a light coat. All these things Iko had arranged to leave temporarily at Sumiko’s house in the suburbs.

“What do you suppose happened? “I’m at my wit’s end with Ms.Sumiko too, you know.” Iko grumbled. “She should come today or thereabouts.” “I suppose she’ll probably come, but...”

The two had returned just two or three days prior from a brief three- or four-day excursion. G recalled what Takemura had told him before their trip and felt an uneasy sensation. Having forgotten his promise to Takemura, he ended up briefly discussing Sumiko's recent situation. Given their old ties and Iko having watched over her all this time, he reasoned it was only proper she should be informed.

“Ms.Sumiko and Takemura are acting a bit strange, do you not think?” “That is right. Did Mr.Takemura say something?” “I have not heard the details, but it seems they have been meeting. At my place, when the two would meet and Sumiko would give a signal as she was leaving, Takemura would immediately head out—he mentioned there were times he waited at one of those cafés nearby. You do not notice.” “I had been vaguely aware of it myself. But I am not the kind of woman who voices such things.”

“Right. Under what circumstances?” “I don’t remember clearly, though.” “According to Takemura’s account, it seems that initially Sumiko was the one who made advances.” “Then, since she said she wanted to perform on stage, he mentioned something about introducing her to a theater troupe, though.”

“What kind of theater troupe?” “Well, what kind of troupe it could be.” “Ms.Sumiko can be so thoughtless.” “If she wanted to perform on stage, shouldn’t she have told us?” “She likely wasn’t serious about it anyway.” “Then it’s all the more troubling.” “Though of course Mr.K—— wasn’t looking after her livelihood and absolutely loathed withdrawing to Chiba.” “Moreover, we’re always praising Mr.Takemura.” “Sumiko is an artist too.” “But what does she mean to achieve by going to Mr.Takemura?” “Isn’t it perfectly clear he can’t support her livelihood any better than Mr.K could?”

“However, don’t tell Sumiko about this matter.” “Because it would reflect poorly on me if I seemed to have been the one who talked too much.” “Until Sumiko herself speaks of it.”

G noticed the medicine had been a bit too effective, but he no longer pursued it.

“Oh, I won’t say a word. But Ms.Sumiko does get herself into such binds too, doesn’t she? If she keeps doing such things, she’ll be written about before long. Whether in a good sense or a bad, that person even wrote about me, you know. If Ms.Sumiko had no connection to us that would be fine, but given our close ties, her getting involved with Mr.Takemura is troubling. I wonder if I should just cut ties with Ms.Sumiko.” Iko was agitated.

“That would be problematic too.” “It’s fine as it is.” “Sumiko also has understanding toward us, and even if it were written about, it wouldn’t be that problematic, would it?” G placated. “Even so, the person who writes about it remains frightening.” “The time I found myself in the most difficult position was, if I must say, when you wrote about me.” “That’s just how pitiable Ms.Sumiko is too.” “Just the other day when I went to Asagaya, there wasn’t even any rice to cook in the evening—that’s how things ended up.” “I even brought rice myself.” “When it comes to livelihood, Ms.Sumiko is even more careless than I am—though I suppose that’s unavoidable when pursuing art—but with the shoji screens torn and the light so dim, I do wonder how she manages to sleep all by herself in that lonely house.” “What would she do if some petty thief were to break in?” “While building the atelier is important, Mr.K—— leaving a woman alone there for days on end can hardly be called a good thing.” “Precisely because that person is so innocent, he remains oblivious to such matters—it’s exasperating.” “If even I hadn’t helped her, how would she manage to eat and clothe herself?” “It’s only natural that Ms.Sumiko would writhe in anguish, don’t you think?” “But that woman does have her beautiful qualities, you know.” “She even feels awkward about receiving money from me.” “Even when shopping, she calculates every item meticulously.” “So I can understand her feelings for going to Mr.Takemura’s place, but...” “……If she wants to go, then she may as well go.”

“But it’s troublesome for her to keep drifting between places like this.” “There’s something about that woman that keeps getting slyly dragged along.” “But Takemura hasn’t declared it a romantic relationship either.” “I don’t think it’s reached that point yet, though.” “That person has indeed progressed that far artistically, and while I respect him as an artist, seeing Ms.Sumiko remain in such poverty still strikes me as pitiable.”

The sliding door at the entrance to the room adjoining the corridor swished open at that moment. And there, her forlorn face appeared.

The next time G visited Iko’s lodging, Sumiko was also in the room but soon went out on an errand. She had gone to retrieve Iko’s tailoring or something of the sort. G, sensing the dynamic between the two women, intuited that Iko had spoken to Sumiko about Takemura and delivered a stern reprimand. Of course, two nights prior when G and Iko had taken Sumiko walking through Ginza, they encountered the magazine reporter Mr.S—— and his friend—who mentioned having seen Takemura with Sumiko at Shinbashi Station—and together entered the Fruit Parlor. At that moment, the matter also slipped slightly from Mr.S——’s lips. Mr.S——, upon first learning that the woman from that time was Ms.Iko’s friend, made a puzzled face.

G——, after Sumiko had gone out,

“You told Ms. Sumiko, didn’t you?” “Well, just a bit—though from Ms. Sumiko’s perspective, there’s some discrepancy in the facts. She may have done what she initially did, but there seem to have been times when she herself faced considerable difficulties too. After all, that person is a single young man himself. Such things are only natural. It appears he’s been visiting Sumiko’s house quite frequently—even staying over at times. But I’m certain there’s no improper relationship there. A woman with any self-awareness couldn’t easily permit such things, you understand? It would be cruel not to trust her on that count.” “As for the theater troupe—she doesn’t truly wish to perform on stage either. She only tried it because Mr.Takemura suggested she ‘give it a try,’ from what I gather.” “What’s truly pitiable is how Mr.K—— remains utterly absorbed in his atelier and never comes around anymore. While he may be overjoyed about completing his studio, from Ms.Sumiko’s perspective—even if the atelier stands finished at last—she could never bring herself to live under the same roof as his obstinate parents and siblings.” “Consider his circumstances: he maintains his status driving about in an automobile while his brothers work as clerks in their father’s business—each drawing salaries and living comfortably—yet Mr.K himself, who insists on painting rather than assisting with commerce, received scarcely any attention until recently.” “Now that he’s been admitted to the Nikakai exhibition this time, they’ve finally parceled out land for him and are building the atelier—but they claim the materials deteriorate unless Mr.K personally oversees everything.” “Since his brothers made love matches themselves, they apparently want Mr.K to take a bride from proper society—so however deep his affection may run, there’s no peaceful resolution in sight.” “One can’t truly understand without facing such circumstances firsthand.” “The misery of lacking family backing—despised by hordes of sisters-in-law and brothers’ wives—might mean nothing to those devoid of pride or individuality. But for someone trying to sustain themselves through art? Utterly unbearable.” “Ms.Sumiko too seems tormented by it all.”

“Regarding her occupation, she seems to want independence.” Iko spoke imploringly for Sumiko’s sake. “Ms.Sumiko’s family was once prosperous. “Her father had even served as a Diet member, you know.” “The aunt in Tokyo keeps urging her to come, yet she still refuses to go.” “She insists she won’t part from Mr.K.” “She’s grown rather unsettled lately.” “As a musician, doubts about her own talent seem to have arisen.” “I’d noticed her odd behavior—there’s this anxiety about whether she can subsist through music.” “If she cannot depend on Mr.K for her livelihood, she must reconsider.” “Yet Mr.K himself keeps professing his affection.”

At dinner, G—who had been boisterous—and Iko—who had delivered a scolding—both agreed to open beer for Sumiko’s sake. Sumiko sat at one corner of the dining table, quietly smoking a cigarette while occasionally holding a cup. “How about going to see the atelier?” “It might feel unexpectedly good.” “Even if it’s hard, you have to compromise a bit.” G said with a laugh. “After all, it’s a ten-year plan.” “Enduring that would be so trying.” Sumiko smiled with haggard-looking cheeks. A drunken flush had faintly risen to her eyelids.

“So you must strive to become a full-fledged musician soon yourself.” “Yes... “That’s what makes it so difficult, you see.” “Well, the wealthier he becomes, the less he gets along with his family.” “But if I love Mr.K…” “I don’t quite understand.”

“What about Mr.Takemura?” “That’s not the case at all, you see.” Sumiko blew smoke from her pursed lips and smiled vacantly. “Then who do you like?” “Let me see... “I like Mr.Y, you see.”

“Mr.Y——?” “Well, well!” “Isn’t he that renowned master?” “His paintings don’t particularly impress me.”

G—— stared at her. “Yes.” “Such a renowned master?” “But he has so many children.” “What about his livelihood?” “He’s poor.” “Oh! “There’s love.” “In that case, I shall provide support!” “Lies, lies. “It’s a bit too grand for me, you see.” “I’m merely sketching faint fantasies, you see.” Sumiko flusteredly denied it again and again.

One evening, when Iko had also come to G—’s study, Takemura and his two friends came to visit. G—, despite Sumiko having matters she needed to attend to at that time, broke his promise by claiming a relative’s emergency had arisen—that he would go take care of it now and come right over upon returning—and refused them.

"That girl is such a handful." Iko was muttering.

And when Takemura came, G—— inquired.

“Haven’t you been meeting Sumiko lately?”

Then Takemura—

“We all just went into an oden shop there, ate and drank, and parted ways.” “So!”

Iko said exasperatedly.

Takemura's demeanor that night carried a faint agitation. G—— had sensed this stemmed from his own disclosure of Takemura's story to Iko. G—— considered this unforgivable. Yet since Takemura had even written about Iko, there was no reason he wouldn't include Sumiko in his works.

“So it really is true after all.” “That woman is hopeless.”

Takemura crossed his arms while leaning forward slightly, “What’s wrong with that?” “That’s all there is to it.” “No—”

Iko also arched her chest slightly,

“Although that and this are separate matters, I’ve also been meaning to tell you once, Mr.Takemura.” “I’m truly grateful you portrayed me so favorably in your writing.” “I think it’s quite good as a work of art.” “But even that caused problems and was terribly inconvenient.” “That ending becomes interesting precisely because it’s written that way—one can’t help but admire your skill—but writing as though I know that theater actor could easily lead to misunderstandings.” “Putting it plainly, since a woman’s position is always vulnerable, even things written carelessly can become quite troublesome when used as models.” “I’m not complaining.” “Art is art.” “Then regarding Ms.Sumiko’s situation—this isn’t a complaint against you.” “Ms.Sumiko must resort to such measures out of hardship, but that woman receives some assistance from me in exchange for handling tasks.” “I can’t do much, but I dress her in garments she’s only worn two or three times—since Mr.K does nothing for her—and now that it’s shawl season, I worry if she still has last year’s.” “If not, I’ll have to buy her one—just now when I saw the show window, I was worrying about exactly that.” “If she’s going on stage, consulting us would make us proper advisors.” “If she truly intends to take it seriously, I wouldn’t oppose it.” “But a temporary whim won’t do.”

Then one of the accompanying young men readily accepted it. He had come along with Takemura two or three times. "That is something we ourselves started. Since it's still just barely begun—a feeble endeavor at that—given such circumstances, we absolutely cannot recommend it. We can stop too." "There's no need for that. Since you've gone to the trouble of starting, wouldn't it be better to continue? Even if Ms. Sumiko alone were to drop out, it's not as if there would be no replacement actress."

“It’s not that serious.” “Has she already started rehearsals or something?” “Oh, we have been doing it.” “But we’ll stop now.” “Ms. Sumiko also rehearsed.”

“Oh, two or three times.” G—— interjected. “So how is Sumiko as an actress…?” “Well, to be honest,” he said with a thoughtful air, “I have my doubts about that woman being on stage.” “Her delivery leaves something to be desired…” “The violin would suit her better after all.” G—— nodded in agreement. Iko pressed further, “But if she were to continue, she could receive proper compensation.” “No,” G—— cut in, “that arrangement likely wouldn’t hold.” As their discussion unfolded, it became clear Sumiko had been keeping late hours among these people—drinking and carousing—until at last, yielding to Iko’s concerns, the young man pledged to disentangle her from such company and took his leave.

The other young man—the pale-complexioned, tall one—remained silent with a thoughtful air from his arrival until departure.

One evening—

When G—— was at Iko’s boarding house (she had temporarily moved out), Western-style painter K—— came to visit. His expression was not calm. “What have you done? I heard she came in late the other night, but I was at Sensei’s place that evening.” K—— spoke in a naive manner with a heavy tone. “Because I thought Sumiko might come.”

“And you haven’t met her since then?” “I haven’t met her. It’s my fault. I’ve been occupied with the atelier and haven’t had a moment to come out. I did intend to come even just at night, but as things stand now, there’s no separate entrance—if the gate closes early, I cannot get out.” “Don’t you come out at all?” “I went to see her a week ago. At that time, she was there.”

“I hear you met Mr. Takemura.” “Oh, I met him before that too, but when I went a week ago, there was someone from Waseda—a person living in Ushigome, I believe—who had come.” “Ah, what sort of person?” “Slender build, tall…” “Not particularly large-faced? With parted hair and a pale complexion?” “That’s right.” “Ah.” “That’s the one.” “They came as three the other day.” “So it seems.” “He stayed silent the whole time—I thought it peculiar.” “And I wonder how it all looked.”

"Even when I entered, he didn't even greet me and remained sitting cross-legged, so I made a point of avoiding him." "Because Sumiko insists I shouldn't act like her lover in front of anyone." "That's strange." G—— forced a bitter smile but felt impatience creep through him. "Was it like that even then?" "Yes." "And how was Ms. Sumiko towards that man?" "She spoke to him with familiarity." "How peculiar." According to K——'s account, talk of separation had recently surfaced between them. And they parted after a quarrel. K had returned straight to Chiba in that state, yet upon later reflection realized they still loved each other. When he went back the next day, she wasn't there—so he left a note and departed. But considering another man might visit, leaving that letter felt precarious enough that he resolved to retract it. Neither the day before yesterday nor yesterday could he meet her. And now today had brought this letter from her hand.

“Let me see!” Iko took it and read silently. When she finished reading,

“This won’t do at all.” “Isn’t she clearly declaring it?” G—— also took it and read it. He was struck that Sumiko could write such prose, but the words themselves were anguished and despairing.

“This won’t do. It’s pointless for you to agonize over a woman like that.” “It’s all my fault. I intend to abandon my atelier again for her sake, at least for now. With the promise they’d leave things be, I even told my father about it.” “But isn’t art what truly matters? For the time being, put Ms. Sumiko out of your mind and seclude yourself in your atelier. If you make sure your works gain proper recognition, Sumiko will inevitably return.” G—— advised.

“That’s true. “Would that be better?” K—— did not resist.

The three of them went out. And they entered a café on the street. G—— found K——’s sincerity rather painful to witness.

“That’s not how it is. Sumiko still loves Mr.K——. That letter’s just cursing their fate—Mr.K—— must have threatened her since he can’t defy his parents after all. To draw her to his side.”

After parting with K—— on her way home, Iko spoke to G——.

“Because it wouldn’t do to tell Mr.K—— that, I deliberately made it sound despairing, but…” “Is that so? I wonder.” “But it’s true these past two weeks have been Sumiko’s critical period.”

“It was merely that she grew somewhat reckless from loneliness.” “All women are like that.” “Anyone would naturally end up that way if abandoned alone in such desolation without even tomorrow’s bread.” “She hasn’t aged much yet.”

After four or five days, G—— received a letter from K——. It was a thank-you letter that also served as a faint report regarding their continued connection—in the sense of not rendering his advice meaningless. (February 1928 (Showa 3), Shincho)