Pathway to Japanese Literature

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

Bai Shi’s CaneAuthor: Yoshikawa Eiji

Original Title	梅颸の杖
Author	吉川英治
Genre	Modern Short Fiction
Author Type	Male Author
Summary	In the heart of feudal Japan, a renowned scholar grapples with fame and frailty. Rai Sanyo, celebrated yet tormented, welcomes his aging mother Bai Shi to Kyoto—a visit steeped in unspoken tension. Bai Shi carries an ivory-tipped cane, a relic of her late husband and a silent rebuke to her son’s indulgences. As Sanyo navigates a whirlwind of literary acclaim and whispered scandals, his mother’s presence becomes a mirror to his restless soul, revealing cracks in his carefully curated persona. \nAmidst cherry blossom viewings and scholarly gatherings, a petty thief’s obsession with stealing the cane intertwines their fates, exposing Sanyo’s vulnerabilities. Bai Shi’s quiet strength and the cane’s symbolic weight challenge him to confront his legacy—a life torn between monumental ambitions and self-destructive habits. Through stolen moments and veiled admonitions, a poignant dance unfolds between maternal devotion and a son’s yearning for redemption. \nSet against a backdrop of tea houses, river journeys, and whispered rivalries, this tale weaves history and intimacy, inviting readers into a world where honor and imperfection collide—and where a simple cane holds the power to bridge past and purpose.