Paulownia: Seven Stories from Contemporary Japanese Writers


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(4.5 stars; 26 reviews)

Paulownia is a captivating collection of seven short stories by three prominent Japanese authors from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This anthology showcases the diverse literary styles and themes that emerged during a transformative period in Japan, offering listeners a glimpse into the cultural landscape of the time.

Among the featured authors, Mori Ōgai, an army surgeon with a passion for Western literature, presents his stories Takase Bune, Hanako, and The Pier. His works often explore the intersection of tradition and modernity, reflecting the complexities of Japanese society.

Nagai Kafū delves into the vibrant entertainment districts of Tokyo, capturing the lives of geisha and the intricacies of urban existence in his stories The Bill-Collecting and Ukiyo-e. Meanwhile, Shimazaki Tōson, a key figure in Japanese naturalism, offers poignant insights into everyday life through A Domestic Animal and Tsugaru Strait.

Edited and translated by Taketomo Torao, who has also contributed significantly to the introduction of Western literature in Japan, this collection not only highlights the individual voices of its authors but also serves as a bridge between Eastern and Western literary traditions.

Chapters

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Foreword and Introduction 13:23 Read by Availle
Takase bune by Mori Ōgai 26:20 Read by Availle
Hanako by Mori Ōgai 14:54 Read by Availle
The pier by Mori Ōgai 12:16 Read by Availle
The bill-collecting by Nagai Kafū 27:23 Read by Availle
Ukiyoe by Nagai Kafū 9:28 Read by Availle
A domestic animal by Shimazaki Tōson 14:18 Read by Availle
Tsugaru Strait by Shimazaki Tōson 27:51 Read by Availle

Reviews

Loved it, but be warned there is a recurrent death theme.


(5 stars)


(5 stars)

Beautiful. I enjoyed each and every story. But Yukio-e was beyond all, not just the poem, but the delicacy the narrator was capable of expressing

FINE WORKS


(5 stars)

Listening to these seemed like listening to prose poems. Simplicity, sensitivity, humanness were the adjectives I apply.

A good listen if interested in multi-generation Japanese culture


(3.5 stars)

Interesting tales, thank you for reading


(5 stars)