Pathway to Japanese Literature

When G found himself somewhat distanced from Iko, speaking with him about her—never sparing in shared sympathies—became both a comfort and salvation. He was none other than the young Takemura whom G loved most. He was sincere and blessed with artistic talent, yet often found himself struggling even to afford coffee or train fares. This was because he had not lost his artistic pride and proletarian spirit.

Even then, after their impassioned discussion in praise of Iko had subsided, Takemura abruptly raised his eyebrows and, with uncharacteristic humility, began speaking of his own recent approach to a certain woman.

“So she’s not a café girl, then?” “I think it’s permissible to confide in even you, Sensei, but please keep this secret from Ms. Iko.” “You don’t need to worry. Is it Sumiko?” “Oh, that’s right.”

Sumiko was the lover of a certain young Western-style painter and was herself a violinist, though she would occasionally come to assist Iko with her errands. Still dependent on his parents while maintaining such a lover, this situation only hardened his wealthy father’s resolve, rendering the life shared by this Western-style painter and musician as lovers far from happy. Thus it fell to Iko to provide material support for Sumiko.

G came to know Sumiko around last summer, shortly after Iko had entered his household. Iko had known Sumiko since her previous married life. And upon learning that Iko had come into G’s household, Sumiko once again drew near. G came to know that Western-style painter K—with whom she would later become romantically involved—around the end of last year, when Iko had established a separate household right near G’s home. Since Iko had two children to care for, she thought it would be mutually beneficial to have Sumiko come to her house.

“I find it troublesome when the violin gets screeched away like that, but wouldn’t it be better if you practiced as much as possible when I’m out?”

However, as her lover K had just begun cohabiting with Sumiko, K—led by Sumiko—visited Iko to explain their living circumstances.

“He’s quite a young man of noble stature.” “That person will become a fine artist someday.” “He might be more than Ms. Sumiko can handle.” Iko had been praising his pure-heartedness, but as he descended the staircase upon leaving, G—still standing—exchanged bows with him. After that came several opportunities to discuss art with him. Therefore, when G now heard from Takemura that the new partner in his romantic entanglement (though he hadn’t stated it explicitly as such) was Sumiko, he found himself somewhat taken aback.

“For quite some time now?” “No, just recently.” “Since when?” “Please don’t ask about such things. Well, it’s nothing more than friendship, you see.” “Have you been to that woman’s house?” “Yes, two or three times. Once when Mr. K came over—it was rather awkward—Ms. Sumiko seemed displeased at being perceived as Mr. K’s lover. She insists they aren’t lovers.” “She does say that sort of thing rather often. Moreover, she hasn’t secured any guarantee of livelihood. After great difficulty arranging for an atelier to be built beside his family home in Chiba—construction is progressing now—but with his father being obstinate and numerous sisters-in-law about, it’s hardly an environment for musical study. That woman isn’t the homemaker type either.”

“She smokes and drinks, you know.” “So it seems.” “She drinks quite heavily, you know.” “She’s so young, yet understands us so thoroughly.” “Sometimes she encourages us, other times she weeps for us.” “I heard she has astigmatism, but there’s something quite compelling about those eyes.” “Well, she is rather beautiful.” “Was it just a kiss?” “Well…” Takemura neither affirmed nor denied it, but “Still, when she first came to my lodgings and confessed, I was rather startled.” “But please keep this secret from Ms. Iko.”

“It would be better not to say such things. Until Sumiko says something to Iko.” “But more than that, I was spotted by Mr. S at Shinbashi Station and it was troublesome. Didn’t Mr. S say anything?” S—— was a young reporter for a certain literary magazine.

“No, nothing at all.” “Since both of us were nearly penniless and couldn’t even afford to enter a café, we went in there and sat on a bench.” “It’s nothing, really.” “Her livelihood seems quite difficult.” “It seems she hasn’t received any guarantee from Mr. K.” “I could try to do a little something about it myself, but...”

Takemura added that he had introduced her—who was seeking a better life—to some young people in a theater troupe. "I did feel sorry for Mr. K, but…" "She wants to take the stage?" "Well, she's young after all." "What sort of troupe?"

“No, it’s still just an experimental attempt at this point though. I helped her look for another job.”

The conversation ended there.

Since he knew K—— as well, G—— could neither affirm nor deny it. Nor was there any need to do so. Yet if at all possible, he did not want K—— to be plunged into unhappiness through these new developments. But everything had ultimately been Sumiko’s free will.

On one occasion, though Iko had an errand she wanted handled, Sumiko—who was supposed to come—hadn’t shown her face for two or three days, so she was growing somewhat irritated.

Iko was at the inn at that time. G—— also spent much time there. When the two of them took Sumiko out with them, things often worked out conveniently.

In the cold night breezes, it was the season when even Iko began recalling her white fox-fur collars. She wanted fresh under-kimonos and even a half-coat. All those things, Iko decided to leave at Sumiko’s house in the suburbs for the time being. “What do you suppose happened?” “I’m at my wit’s end with Ms. Sumiko too.” Iko muttered.

“She’ll likely come around today.” “Though I do think she’ll probably come.”

The two of them had only just returned two or three days prior from a brief three- or four-day trip.

G recalled the story he had heard from Takemura before the trip and felt an awkward sensation. And forgetting the promise he had made to Takemura, he ended up briefly discussing Sumiko’s recent circumstances. Given their longstanding connection and the fact that Iko had been looking after her, he considered it rather appropriate to inform her.

“Ms. Sumiko and Mr. Takemura seem a bit suspicious, don’t you think?” “Yes. Did Mr. Takemura say something?”

“I don’t ask for details, but it seems they’ve been meeting each other. There was even an instance when they met at my place—Sumiko gave him a signal as she was leaving, so Takemura immediately went out after her. He apparently said he’d been waiting at a café around there. You didn’t notice.” “I had my suspicions, you know. But I’m not the sort of woman to voice such things.” “Yes. Under what circumstances?” “I don’t remember clearly though.”

“According to Takemura, it seems Sumiko was the one who initiated things first.” “Then, since she said she wanted to take the stage, he mentioned having introduced her to a troupe or so he said.”

“What kind of troupe?” “Well, who knows what kind of troupe it is.” “Ms. Sumiko is so reckless, you know. If she wanted to take the stage, she should have just told us, shouldn’t she?” “She probably isn’t that serious about it.”

“Then that makes it even worse.” “To be fair, Mr. K wasn’t supporting her livelihood at all, and she absolutely detested the idea of being made to move to Chiba.” “And we’re always praising Mr. Takemura, aren’t we?” “Ms. Sumiko is an artist too, you know.” “But what does she mean to accomplish by going to Mr. Takemura?” “Isn’t it perfectly clear he can no more guarantee Sumiko’s livelihood than Mr. K could?” “But don’t mention this to Sumiko.” “It would reflect poorly if it seemed I’d been indiscreet.” “Not until Sumiko herself brings it up.”

G noticed that the medicine had been a bit too effective, but he didn’t pursue it further. “Oh, I won’t say a word, of course.” “But I end up troubled by Ms. Sumiko too, you know.” “If she keeps doing such things, she’ll end up being written about, you know.” “Whether in a good sense or a bad sense, that person even wrote about me, you know.” “If Ms. Sumiko had no connection to us, that would be fine—but given how closely she’s involved, her getting entangled with Mr. Takemura is problematic.” “I wonder if I should just cut ties with Ms. Sumiko.” Iko was agitated.

“That would also be troublesome.” “Isn’t that fine?” “Sumiko understands us too—even if she’s written about, it shouldn’t pose much difficulty.” G placated her. “Even so, those who write about it remain terrifying.” “What placed me in the most awkward position was being written about by you yourself.” “But poor Ms. Sumiko—just the other day when I went to Asagaya, there wasn’t even rice to cook for dinner.” “Though I did bring some myself.” “When it comes to daily life, Ms. Sumiko is even more careless than I am—but then again, that’s unavoidable for an artist—with torn shoji screens and dim lamps, I marvel she sleeps alone in that lonely house.” “What would she do if some petty thief broke in?” “Building an atelier may be important, but leaving a woman alone there for days isn’t commendable.” “His very innocence makes him oblivious to such matters—it’s exasperating.” “If even I stopped helping her, how would she manage food and clothing?” “No wonder Ms. Sumiko thrashes about in distress.” “Yet that woman has her charms.” “She feels awkward even accepting money from me.” “When shopping, she accounts for every sen meticulously.” “So I understand her inclination toward Mr. Takemura...” “...If she wishes to go, let her go.”

“But it’s troublesome for her to be wandering around all over the place like this. That woman has this way of being helplessly dragged along, you know.”

"But Takemura hasn't declared it to be a romantic relationship either." "I don't believe it's reached that stage yet either." "That he's progressed so far as an artist commands respect, but seeing Ms. Sumiko endure such poverty still moves me to pity."

The sliding door at the entrance of the room adjoining the corridor slid open smoothly 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 apparently went to pick up Iko’s sewing work.

G, with a daughterly intuition, sensed that Iko had spoken to Sumiko about Takemura and given her a stern admonishment. Of course, two nights prior, when G and Iko were walking through Ginza with Sumiko, they encountered magazine reporter S and his friend—who mentioned having seen Takemura with Sumiko at Shinbashi Station—and ended up going to a fruit parlor together. It was during this encounter that Mr. S also let it slip about the matter. Mr. S, having just learned that the woman from that occasion was a friend of Iko’s, wore a bewildered look.

After Sumiko went out, G

“You talked to Ms. Sumiko, didn’t you?”

“Well no, just a little—but from Ms. Sumiko’s perspective, there seems to be some discrepancy in the facts.” “She may have done what she initially did, but apparently there were times when Ms. Sumiko faced considerable hardships too.” “After all, he’s a single young man himself.” “That much is only natural.” “It seems he’s been visiting Sumiko’s house many times.” “Apparently he even stayed over.” “But I’m certain there’s no such relationship.” “For a woman with some self-awareness, such things aren’t so easily done.” “It would be cruel not to trust her on that point.” “As for the theater troupe, she doesn’t seem interested in actually standing on stage either.” “She only mentioned it because Mr. Takemura said ‘Why don’t you try?’” “What’s truly pitiable is Mr. K being so absorbed in his atelier that he hardly comes around properly.” “While Mr. K may be overjoyed about completing his atelier, from Ms. Sumiko’s view—even if the studio gets built—she couldn’t bear living among his stubborn parents and brothers.” “After all, he maintains his status by owning a car and driving about constantly, while his brothers work as clerks in their father’s business—each drawing salaries and living comfortably—yet until recently they practically ignored Mr. K for pursuing painting instead of helping the family trade.” “Now that he’s been admitted to Nikakai this time, they’ve finally allotted him land and built an atelier—but he complains the materials deteriorate whenever he’s not supervising.” “Since his brothers married for love, they apparently want Mr. K to take a bride from a proper household—so however deep his affection runs, there’s no hope for peaceful relations.” “You can’t understand unless you’ve faced such circumstances yourself.” “To endure scorn from numerous sisters-in-law and brothers’ wives—the wretchedness of having no娘家 backing—if you lack both pride and individuality you might remain oblivious, but for someone trying to live through art, it becomes unbearable.” “Ms. Sumiko too seems tormented.” “Regarding her profession—it appears she wants independence.”

Iko pleaded on Sumiko's behalf. "Ms. Sumiko's family used to be respectable, you know." "Her father even served in the Diet." "That aunt of hers in Tokyo keeps begging her to come stay, but she still refuses." "And she insists she won't leave Mr. K either."

“She’s been wavering a bit lately, hasn’t she?” “As a musician, she seems to have started doubting her own talent.” "I did think her behavior seemed off, but there’s also her anxiety about whether she can sustain herself through music." "If she can’t rely on Mr. K for her livelihood, then she’ll have to consider other options." “But still, Mr. K says he himself likes her too.” Both G—who had been boisterous during dinner—and Iko—who had scolded him—agreed to pour beer for Sumiko’s sake. Sumiko sat at a corner of the dining table, quietly smoking a cigarette while occasionally taking hold of her cup.

“Why don’t you try going to the atelier? It might actually feel surprisingly good. Even if it’s painful, you have to compromise a little.” G said with a laugh. “After all, it’s a ten-year plan. That endurance must be tough.” Sumiko smiled, her cheeks appearing haggard. A faint flush from the alcohol appeared on her eyelids.

“So you too, Ms. Sumiko, should become a full-fledged musician quickly.” “Yes. “That’s what makes it so tough, you know.”

“No, the more accomplished one becomes, the less one gets along with family.”

“But if I love Mr. K…” “I simply can’t comprehend.”

“What about Mr. Takemura?” “There’s no such thing.” Sumiko blew smoke from pursed lips, smiling vacantly through the haze. “Then who do you like?” “Well... I like Professor Y——.”

“Professor Y——?” “Oh!” “He’s a master, isn’t he?” “I’m not particularly impressed with his paintings, though.” G—— stared at her.

“Yes. That master?” “But he has so many children.” “What about his livelihood?” “He’s poor.” “Oh! Is there romance involved? Then I’ll support him myself!” “No, no. It’s just too overwhelming for me. I’m merely tracing faint fantasies.” Sumiko panicked and denied it repeatedly.

One evening at G’s study, where Iko was also present, Takemura and his two friends came to visit.

G—explaining that though Sumiko had business she needed to attend to at that time, she had broken her promise due to a relative’s sudden emergency and said she would go take care of it now, then come straight over upon returning—turned them away. “That girl’s such a problem.” Iko muttered. Then, when Takemura arrived, G asked him: “Haven’t you seen Sumiko lately?”

Then Takemura,

“Just now there, all of us went into an oden shop, ate and drank, and had only just parted ways.” “Right!”

Iko said exasperatedly.

Takemura's demeanor that night was slightly agitated. G—— had sensed this stemmed from his own leaking of Takemura's story to Iko. G—— had been considering it an inexcusable act. Yet Takemura—who had even written about Iko—would naturally have included Sumiko in his works. "So it really is like that, then. That girl's hopeless."

Takemura crossed his arms and leaned forward slightly, "What's wrong with that?" "That's all there is to it."

“No…” Iko arched her back slightly as she spoke. “That’s a separate matter, but I’ve been meaning to tell you this once, Mr. Takemura.” “I’m truly grateful you portrayed me so favorably in your writing.” “As a work itself, I do think it’s quite excellent.” “But even that caused me considerable trouble.” “While that ending becomes truly compelling precisely because it’s written that way—one can’t help but admire your skill—depicting those theater actors as though I personally know them might easily lead to misunderstandings among certain people.” “To put it plainly, a woman’s position remains vulnerable in any circumstance—so even casually written details can become quite troublesome when someone gets turned into a model.” “I’m not complaining, mind you.” “Art is art, after all.” “And regarding Ms. Sumiko’s situation—this isn’t a criticism of you, Mr. Takemura.” “Ms. Sumiko likely engages in such things because she’s struggling, but as for that woman—I provide her some support, and in return have her handle various tasks for me.” “I can’t do much, but when it comes to kimonos barely worn two or three times—since Mr. K does nothing for her—I take pity and dress her in them. When it becomes the season for people walking outside to wear shawls like these days, I wonder if she still has last year’s.” “If not, I’ll have to buy her one—I was just fretting over that when I saw the shop window earlier.” “If she wishes to take the stage, then should she consult us, we could serve as her advisors.” “If she truly intends to commit seriously, I wouldn’t oppose her doing it at all.” “But if it’s merely a passing whim, that won’t do.”

Then one of the accompanying youths accepted it straightforwardly. He had come along with Takemura two or three times before. "That was something we started," he said. "Since we've only just begun and are still quite weak, given such circumstances, we absolutely cannot recommend it. We could also stop it altogether." "No, there's no need for that," Iko replied. "Since you've gone to the trouble of starting, wouldn't it be better to continue? Even if Ms. Sumiko were to leave, it's not as though there's no replacement actress available."

“It’s not as serious as all that.” “Have you already begun rehearsals?” “Oh, we’ve been holding them. But we’ll stop now.” “Ms. Sumiko also attended rehearsals.” “Uh, two or three times.” G interjected. “So how does Sumiko fare as an actress…?” “Well truthfully speaking, I have misgivings about that woman’s suitability for the stage. Her line delivery too seems somehow…” “The violin remains her better path, I should think.” G nodded in agreement.

Iko went on,

“If she were to do it, she could receive compensation, you know.” “No, that simply won’t do.” In the course of their conversation, it became clear that Sumiko had been mingling with those people—staying up late and drinking—but ultimately, based on Iko’s wishes, the youth promised Iko to make her completely distance herself from such a lifestyle and withdrew. The tall, pale-complexioned youth—the other one—remained pensively silent from arrival until departure.

One evening—

When G was at Iko’s boarding house—she had temporarily moved out—the Western-style painter K came to visit. His expression was unsettled. “What have you done? I heard she came late the other night, but I was at Sensei’s place that evening.” K spoke with a heavy tone, his manner naive. “I thought Sumiko might come by.” “So you haven’t met her at all since then?” “I haven’t met her.” “It’s my fault.” “I’ve been occupied with the atelier and haven’t had any chance to come out.” “I do think of coming even at night, but as things stand now—with no proper entrance—once they close the gate early, there’s simply no way for me to get out.”

“Don’t you come out at all?”

"I went to see her a week ago." "She was there at the time." "I heard you met Mr. Takemura." "Oh, I did meet that person before then, but when I went a week ago, there was someone from Waseda—a person who’s apparently in Ushigome or something—who had come." "Haha, what kind of person?" "A tall, slender..."

“Not that person with the not-particularly-large face, parted hair, and pale complexion?” “Yes.” “Hah.” “That’s him.” “The three of us came together the other day.” “So it seems.” “I thought it strange how he stayed silent the whole time...” “And what was he like?” “Even when I entered, he didn’t offer a greeting—just sat there cross-legged—so I took care to avoid him.” “Sumiko keeps insisting I shouldn’t act like her lover in front of anyone.”

“That’s strange, isn’t it?”

G gave a wry smile but felt a surge of impatience. "Was it like that even then?"

“Yes.”

“And how does Ms. Sumiko behave toward that man?” “She was speaking to him in a familiar manner.” “That’s odd.”

According to K——'s account, a discussion of separation had recently arisen between them. They had parted ways after a quarrel. K—— had returned straight to Chiba like that, but upon later reflection realized they still loved each other. When he went to see her the next day, she wasn't there—so he left a letter and departed. Yet considering another man might come, he grew uneasy about having left that letter and resolved this time to retract it. Then both yesterday and the day before yesterday he couldn't meet her. And in the end today came this letter from her.

“Let me see!” Iko took it and read it silently. When she finished reading, “This won’t do. Isn’t she making it perfectly clear?”

G also took it and read. He was struck by how Sumiko could write such text, but the characters themselves were grief-stricken and despairing.

“This is no good at all. It’s pointless for you to agonize over a woman like this.”

“It’s all my fault. For that woman’s sake, I think I’ll abandon the atelier again for now. Under the promise that he’d leave things as they were, I discussed that matter with my father too.” “But isn’t art more important? For the time being, set aside matters concerning Ms. Sumiko and shut yourself away in your atelier. If your works gain more recognition in the world, Sumiko will surely come back.” G advised. “That’s true. Would that be better?” K did not resist.

The three of them went out. And they entered a coffee shop on the street.

G found K’s pure-heartedness rather painfully pitiful.

“That’s not how it is. “Sumiko still loves Mr. K. “That letter is merely cursing their fate—since Mr. K can’t stand up to his parents, she must have used it to threaten him. “To draw him back to her side.” After parting from K on her way home, Iko spoke to G.

“Since I couldn’t let Mr. K know that truth, I deliberately made it sound hopeless…” “Is that so? Though it remains true these past two weeks marked Sumiko’s perilous phase.” “She simply grew reckless from loneliness.” “All women do that.” “Anyone abandoned alone in such desolation—without even bread for tomorrow—would naturally collapse so.” “Her years haven’t seasoned her yet.”

Four or five days later, G received a letter from K. It was a letter of gratitude that served as a faint report on their bond—one ensuring his counsel would not go unheeded. (February 1928 [Showa 3], *Shincho*)