
A weary traveler rides the night train from the mountains toward Tokyo, haunted by flashes of feverish dreams and an ever‑present sense of his own fragility. The rhythmic clatter of wheels and the oppressive heat of the carriage amplify his dread, as memories of his late grandmother and a lingering fear of sudden death swirl through his mind. Each stop—Nagoya, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka—offers only brief reprieve, leaving him to wrestle with a restless anxiety that feels as relentless as the locomotive itself.
Upon finally reaching the bustling capital, the protagonist steps into a world of glaring sunlight and bustling streets that clash with his inner turmoil. He seeks shelter with his aunt, whose lively household provides a fleeting sense of normalcy amid the chaotic cityscape. Yet even in this temporary haven, the echo of his unsettled thoughts persists, hinting at the deeper psychological struggle that will shape his journey ahead.
Language
ja
Duration
~18 minutes (17K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Sachiko Hill and Kaoru Tanaka
Release date
2011-10-03
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1886–1965
Known for elegant, unsettling fiction, this major modern Japanese writer explored desire, obsession, and the hidden tensions inside family life. His work moves between beauty and unease, making even quiet domestic scenes feel charged.
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