Pathway to Japanese Literature

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

ToothacheAuthor: Tokuda Shūsei

Original Title	歯痛
Author	徳田秋声
Genre	Modern Short Fiction
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	Amidst the sweltering summer heat, Yuu and his companion Aiko embark on a restless journey through mountain resorts, seeking respite from Tokyo’s oppressive grind. Haunted by memories of his deceased daughter and burdened by familial obligations, Yuu is drawn to A Hot Springs—a place tinged with bittersweet nostalgia. Their travels unfold against a backdrop of stifling discomfort: cramped trains, impersonal inns, and encounters with acquaintances that highlight Yuu’s growing alienation from his artistic peers. Aiko’s youthful exuberance contrasts sharply with Yuu’s brooding introspection, their dynamic strained by unspoken tensions. As they navigate resorts steeped in bourgeois pretension and colonial unease, Yuu’s worsening toothache mirrors his inner decay—a metaphor for unresolved grief and existential weariness. Vivid scenes of steaming baths, fragmented conversations, and fleeting connections paint a portrait of two souls adrift, chasing solace in transient landscapes while grappling with the ghosts of their pasts. The story simmers with quiet despair and the fragile hope of redemption, leaving readers to wonder if healing lies ahead or if the journey itself is the wound.