Pathway to Japanese Literature
Discover Japan's stories—across time, across language.
← Back
Whimsical Haunted MansionAuthor: Yamamoto Shūgorō
| Original Title | 風流化物屋敷 |
|---|---|
| Author | 山本 周五郎 |
| Genre | Modern Short Fiction |
| Author Type | Male Author |
| Summary | In a bygone era of Edo-period Japan, an enigmatic young samurai named Goza Heinosuke defies convention by moving into the infamous Pomegranate Mansion—a decaying estate long abandoned due to its spectral reputation. Neighboring the mansion lives Tomi Miura, a sharp-witted girl whose obsession with documenting paranormal phenomena rivals scholarly treatises. As Heinosuke nonchalantly dismisses eerie occurrences—rolling ceiling stones, phantom wails, and a tea-bearing one-eyed imp—Tomi’s fascination shifts from ghostly theatrics to the samurai’s baffling composure. Unbeknownst to both, the mansion’s “monsters” are gamblers exploiting its haunted guise, their ruse unraveling through Heinosuke’s indifference and Tomi’s relentless curiosity. Amidst overgrown gardens and whispered negotiations, an unexpected bond forms between the eccentric nobleman and the spirited observer, blending dry humor with subtle tension. As daylight reveals pragmatic schemes behind supernatural illusions, Tomi’s meticulous records begin charting not just ghostly encounters, but a sly dance of wits and burgeoning affection—all while shadows cling to vermilion pomegranate blooms, guarding secrets yet untold. |
← Return to List← Return to TOP