Blue Literature
Aoi Bungaku
Kokoro
Natsume Souseki wrote "I Am A Cat," "Botchan," and other works
Host Sakai Masato
filled with the warmth and humor that made him famous.
Property of the Kanagawa Prefectural Museum of Modern Literature
Natsume Soseki
Actually, did you know that Souseki wrote them as light diversions?
Light diversions
When Souseki, who always worried about human relationships, was feeling spiritually cornered,
the poet Takahama Kyoshi recognized what was happening
Kyoshi Takahama
Kyoshi Memorial Museum
and recommended that Souseki take up writing as a distraction.
Souseki's first novel was "I Am A Cat."
「I am a cat」
But five years later, Souseki became seriously ill and flirted with insanity.
Because of this, he began to focus on the darkness in human hearts,
Darkness in the heart
and his style became more depressed.
Consider, as an example, this work, "Kokoro."
The masterpiece of Natsume Soseki's later years, published in 1914
Kokoro
It describes the conflict between human egoism and morality.
It is representative of Souseki's later years.
Souseki's true face may be hidden in this work.
True face
They are evergreen because they are masterpieces.
They are
evergreen
because they are
masterpieces
"Kokoro," first chapter.
Please watch.
Ojou-san...
was like a bellflower.
Kokoro
Summer
Studying?
Yes.
Am I interrupting?
No.
But don't you have to practice the koto?
I'm not getting any better.
I'll leave the barley tea here.
Thank you.
That seems like a difficult book.
I don't understand it at all.
You should study.
If you don't mind, I can teach you.
The way you talk is just like a teacher.
Tempura? That looks delicious.
There's eel too.
You like it, don't you?
Yes.
The two of them are very kind,
and they're filled with love.
I'm from the country,
so I'm grateful, from the bottom of my heart, that I can stay here.
Ojou-san, sorry for the trouble,
but can you make three rice balls later?
Even though you just ate?
They're not for me.
No, it's just...
This seems suspicious.
Right, Mother?
K.
I've been looking for you.
Yes.
Hey.
Don't need it.
Why? You're hungry, aren't you?
I am hungry, but I don't need it.
You're in training again?
You seem more like a monk than the ones around here.
I cut my ties with my old temple a long time ago.
You were the second son. Nothing could be done about it.
Are you still angry that a doctor adopted you?
I'm not angry.
In any case, I've cut my ties with that house too.
That's because you deceived your foster parents.
You pretended that you'd entered medical school,
but actually you studied religion.
You're quite daring.
I don't mind doing that much, if it's to find the path.
Then you should've remained silent until the end.
Once you cut your ties,
you couldn't keep on studying.
From now on, I won't rely on others.
I've decided.
Say, K.
Do you want to room with me?
I refuse.
Do you understand?
I'm not doing this for your sake.
I'm asking for my own sake.
What are you saying?
I was wondering if you could teach me this path you mentioned.
You?
Be close to me. Show me how you live.
Okay? Please.
Please.
Let him stay here.
Even though you've asked...
I have to refuse.
I'm the only one K can rely on.
Let him live in my rooms.
I'll pay the boarding fees for both of us.
But you know...
If you're concerned about Ojou-san, it'll be okay.
He works hard all day, perfecting his path.
He probably won't even look at Ojou-san.
It's not for my sake, but yours.
I...
My parents are dead, and my relatives betrayed me.
I'm lonely.
Ma'am, you and Ojou-san are the people
who have reminded me about human warmth.
Yes.
I want K to share your kindness too.
I want to save him from the cold, watery depths.
If you're going that far...
Thank you.
I won't be responsible.
You'll have to do your best.
I'm home.
This is K, the guy I talked about recently.
Nice to meet you.
Please take care of him.
Same for us.
Hey.
Can't you be more friendly?
Why?
We're going to be living together from now on.
It's more fun if we get along.
I don't intend to have fun.
This is my room.
There's a small connecting room here.
You can stay in my room, or...
This room is fine.
It's small.
It doesn't matter.
All right.
Excuse me.
Yes.
Um, I brought you this.
Thank you.
Studying already?
That room is small,
but it connects to the middle garden.
Right, Sensei?
Sensei, she says.
Ojou-san calls me that in order to make fun of me.
I'm not making fun of you.
You're always reading books, just like a teacher.
I'm sorry.
Let's have dinner soon.
Yes.
I'm working hard tonight.
Look forward to it.
Do you always talk to those women?
Yes. The two of them are good people.
What's so funny?
It's a waste of time.
Women don't seem interested in learning.
That's because men and women study different things.
It's the same.
Those who do not want to advance spiritually are fools.
As usual.
At that moment,
for some reason, my heart was restless.
I'm home.
Ma'am?
You're not home?
What happened?
Nothing.
I doubted my own eyes.
Was it possible that K and Ojou-san...
But I was ashamed of myself right away.
There was no way K would do something like that.
Is that right?
Yes.
It really was a lot of trouble.
He hates to lose.
Quite a wonderful person.
It's not like that.
Once he says something, he won't listen.
Can you patch my hakama?
Okay.
I'm home.
Hey.
What are you doing?
I was just asking her to patch something torn.
You...
Where were you?
You left the house open until now.
I'm sorry.
My usual fish dealer didn't come.
Fish dealer?
Don't be angry.
I'm not angry.
Really?
Then everything's fine.
Anyway, please don't leave Ojou-san alone in the house.
What do you mean?
It's become dangerous around here lately.
Is that right?
Dangerous, is it?
I'll be careful.
Sorry.
No problem.
You were out quite late.
Ojou-san, earlier...
Why didn't you call out to me?
Ojou-san?
I was scared.
You've been coming home earlier.
Because the classes are boring.
You...
Are you trying to be alone with Ojou-san?
What are you saying?
No, let's have it out today.
K, lately you've been in disarray.
What happened to the training that was so important to you?
Weren't you going to correct your path?
I see.
See what?
The reason why you brought me here was Ojou-san.
What do you mean?
If a person like me is around,
you can show your generosity as a human being,
and look cool in front of girls.
No!
I did it for your sake!
For me?
You're a man who has everything.
You're saying you extended your hand to me out of kindness?
You thought that Ojou-san wouldn't talk to a man like me?
Ojou-san has nothing to do with this!
No matter where you go, your pride is your precious possession.
You poor guy.
Sorry, but I don't want to be part of a rich man's game of charity.
What did you say?
I love Ojou-san.
Here's your lunch.
Thank you.
See you later.
Ma'am, did he say something?
What?
Did something happen?
No.
Can we talk for a bit?
I'm studying.
Please.
Just come.
It's about yesterday.
Yeah.
Are you serious?
I'm always serious.
K, I won't be able to apologize for this.
If I'd thought this could happen, I wouldn't have brought you here.
I'm sorry about that.
But love is independent of favors.
Her mother will definitely oppose your relationship.
She'll never allow it.
I'll do whatever it takes, even elope.
What about Ojou-san's feelings?
She feels the same, of course.
This is all screwed up.
I know.
But you can't stop me.
Don't mess with me!
You're not prepared!
Prepared?
You should know best.
I don't have much.
The only thing I have is preparedness.
Unlike you.
What should I do?
I'm coming in.
Are you feeling sick?
This is hot porridge.
I'm sorry.
Hey, what's happening?
This morning, K-san told me that he wanted my daughter.
Give me a break.
If my daughter made a mistake and took off with someone like that,
what would you do?
I'm sorry.
You need to get a hold of yourself.
You like my daughter, don't you?
I can tell, just by looking.
I'm sorry.
You don't have to apologize.
I'd gladly give my daughter to you.
Ma'am.
Please give me your daughter.
Give her to me now.
Very well.
I give her to you.
But please don't tell K yet.
Why?
I'll tell him myself, at any cost.
At any cost.
But you know...
I'm going to school.
Don't you have to sleep a bit more?
Weren't you sick?
Yeah.
Why don't you go see a doctor?
You have the money.
I'm fine.
Say.
Isn't this flower just like Ojou-san?
I don't think so.
Let's spread these seeds next year.
Summer is almost over.
Yeah.
You're unable to sleep?
Yes.
Me either.
How about a drink?
With me?
That's right.
Today is worth celebrating.
I want you to celebrate with me.
It's all thanks to you.
What do you mean?
Actually, I've finally settled my daughter's marriage.
You know, the people involved have wanted this for a long time,
but because they're both really shy,
they couldn't admit it easily.
Since you came to this house,
matters have somehow gone better.
Now.
Cheers.
Summer this year was beautiful
I lost to K.
Even at my happiest moment, when I married Ojou-san...
my body smelled of blood.
K would hold me captive for my entire life.
bokutachi wa nanika wo sagashite mitsukedasu tame ni
In order to find something,
osoku okita asa demo
we open our eyes every day,
mainichi me wo samasu da
even if we wake up late.
it's not too late
It's not too late.
we say hello
We say hello.
chotto demo waratte
Smile, even for just a bit,
itsudatte konosekai wa anataga hitsuyou dakara
because this world will always need you.
it's not too late
It's not too late.
we say hello we say hello
We say hello. We say hello.
Next Time
Kokoro
Winter