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Paulownia Flowers

Reco Paulownia Flowers 9 15

Title

Paulownia Flowers

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on January 25

Conversation
 

Nagai Kafuu icon

Today is the day your poem anthology "Paulownia Flowers" was published, wasn't it?
This phrase at the outset of that collection caught my attention - "It's now the season for paulownia flowers and castella."
Is there really a time of year for castella? Isn't castella delicious whatever time of year you eat it?

Kitahara Hakushuu icon

The lilac color of paulownia flowers and the fresh yellow of castella is the palette of early summer, to me.
The air is dry in summer, giving the castella just a slightly powdery feel. That texture is just my taste.

Nagai Kafuu icon

The change in castella's texture, huh...... I see, it is truly an expression worthy of your poetic sensitivity.

Kitahara Hakushuu icon

Moreover, to me, castella is very familiar to me, so it was just perfect to provide a context for my compositions.
It was optimum to have "early summer's castella" as the theme for the opening verse to my poem anthology.

Nagai Kafuu icon

Starting with castella, also sometimes called the symbol of Japan's westernization movement, really does convey your modern sensibilities.

Kitahara Hakushuu icon

I am honored that you understand.
However, if I were to state my true feelings, one always gets cravings for one's favorite foods. I've suddenly begun to miss the delightful sensation of castella on my tongue......

Nagai Kafuu icon

That's totally fine. Even leaving the emotions of early summer aside and tasting castella in the winter.
I'll introduce you to a place that serves delicious castella. It also serendipitously happens to be your birthday today, so I'll treat you.

Kitahara Hakushuu icon

Oh my, you knew my birthday. I am thankful and happy.
Then I will accept your kind invitation - let us partake in winter castella today.


Hagiwara and Muroo's Encounter

Reco Hagiwara and Muroo's Encounter 3 16

Title

Hagiwara and Muroo's Encounter

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on February 14

Conversation
 

Hagiwara Sakutarou icon

Sai, I came to return the book I was borrowing.
...... Wait, were you busy writing? Sorry for butting in.

Muroo Saisei icon

Nah, I don't mind. I was just making a clean copy of a poem I wrote earlier. Hold on a sec.

Hagiwara Sakutarou icon

Eh, you're writing a poem!? Show me, show me!

Muroo Saisei icon

Wait, wait. Just a bit more.

Hagiwara Sakutarou icon

...... Fufu, it's around that time again. Before I met you in real life, Sai, I'd enjoy the poems you wrote one after another,
and I would wonder what kind of pretty boy was writing them.

Muroo Saisei icon

What's with that. So are you saying you were disappointed by how much of a country bumpkin I was when you first met me?
If you're gonna say that, then even I thought you were some disagreeable spoiled rich boy on first sight.
Look here, I finished writing.

Hagiwara Sakutarou icon

Show me.

Muroo Saisei icon

I'm so glad. Even with that, it's fine you were disappointed.
It puts some pressure on me to be presumed to be a handsome writer...... Say, maybe I should show this poem to Haku-san, too.

Hagiwara Sakutarou icon

Good idea. I think Hakushuu-sensei would definitely praise this poem.

Muroo Saisei icon

Really now? If I've got Saku's stamp of approval, then I can confidently take this up to Haku-san.
Alright, let's go!


The Musashi Plains

Reco The Musashi Plains 38 24

Title

The Musashi Plains

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on March 11

Conversation
 

Kunikida Doppo icon

Whoa. This tree ain't no oak, huh.

Futabatei Shimei icon

Futabatei Shimei icon

Is that so?

Kunikida Doppo icon

Yup. When autumn comes, they drop their leaves and acorns and such, they're deciduous trees.
Oak trees grew in abundance in the earth of "Musashino Plains".

Futabatei Shimei icon

"Musashino Plains"...... It's the place from your book, huh.
In your book, you wrote about the beauty of nature's elegance seen at the "Musashino Plains", right?

Kunikida Doppo icon

That's right. Also, did you know I could truly feel the beauty of Musashino Plains' deciduous trees only thanks to you?
When I read your translation of Turgenev's "Rendezvous", I understood the beauty of Musashino Plains' woods.

Futabatei Shimei icon

However, Turgenev wrote of Russian scenery in my translation......

Kunikida Doppo icon

Whether it's Russia or Musashino Plains, the fact that they're deciduous trees remains, yeah?
The beautiful sentences you produced in translation made me realize how lovely deciduous trees are.

Futabatei Shimei icon

Hm...... Sentences describing Russian scenery were able to make you realize the charm of an area of Japan, huh......

Kunikida Doppo icon

That's right! Hey, please tell me more about Russia.
Even if it's just quotes or meanings of poems or something. Maybe I'll discover something interesting again, right?

Futabatei Shimei icon

Well...... your curious spirit is almost dazzling......
Russia's works don't just end with Turgenev, there are so many wonderful others...... If you're okay with just what I know, then I'll talk about them.

Kunikida Doppo icon

Yeah! Thanks for the favor!


Katai Collection Vol. 1

Reco Katai Collection Vol

Title

Katai Collection Vol. 1

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on March 28

Conversation
 

Tayama Katai icon

Today is the day my crowning work "The Quilt" was published in a magazine!
Hakuchou, you wrote about my works pretty often, huh.

Masamune Hakuchou icon

...... Yup. "The Quilt" had a considerable influence on the literary world.
It would not be a stretch to say that you cemented the spirit of all future works of the Naturalist movement with that story.

Tayama Katai icon

It's like my work started a new flow in the world of literature, right!

Masamune Hakuchou icon

"The Quilt" was truly the first work of its kind.
After that, the majority of writers pretty much began to write in the style of "The Quilt".

Tayama Katai icon

That's right. I was also really impressed by the work Touson put out in the midst of that flow......

Masamune Hakuchou icon

Yes. Practically all the works that came after you were full of scandalous content.
When you established the Naturalist movement of the literary world, it was as if you called a tidal wave of kiss-and-tell novels upon the Naturalists..

Tayama Katai icon

Alright, fine! Even I struggled to depict things just as they were after that, you know......
You sure don't mince your words, Hakuchou.

Masamune Hakuchou icon

I am simply expounding upon my impressions of the literary world and its works as the truth...... It is simply one opinion of a reader of your works.

Tayama Katai icon

That's right. You say all kinds of things, I guess you do read my books thoroughly.

Masamune Hakuchou icon

...... Yeah, that is the truth.

Tayama Katai icon

No matter how harshly you state your opinions, it's the truth that my works exist now and that there are people that will read them.
Thanks, Hakuchou!

Masamune Hakuchou icon

...... Hmph.


Plum Blossoms by Night

Reco Plum Blossoms by Night 28 2

Title

Plum Blossoms by Night

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on April 2

Conversation
 

Ibuse Masuji icon

Dazai Osamu icon

Dazai Osamu icon

Dazai Osamu icon

Dazai Osamu icon

Ibuse Masuji icon

Dazai Osamu icon

Ibuse Masuji icon

Dazai Osamu icon

Ibuse Masuji icon

Dazai Osamu icon

Ibuse Masuji icon

Dazai Osamu icon

Ibuse Masuji icon


Parting

Reco Parting 37 35

Title

Parting

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on April 10

Conversation
 

Ishikawa Takuboku icon

Wakayama Bokusui icon

Ishikawa Takuboku icon

Wakayama Bokusui icon

Wakayama Bokusui icon

Ishikawa Takuboku icon

Wakayama Bokusui icon

Ishikawa Takuboku icon

Wakayama Bokusui icon

Ishikawa Takuboku icon

Ishikawa Takuboku icon

Ishikawa Takuboku icon

Wakayama Bokusui icon

Ishikawa Takuboku icon


Lemon

Placeholder

Title

Lemon

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on May 15

Conversation
 

Kajii Motojirou icon

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Kajii Motojirou icon

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Kajii Motojirou icon

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Kajii Motojirou icon

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Kajii Motojirou icon

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Kajii Motojirou icon

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Kajii Motojirou icon


Naoki Prize

Reco Naoki Prize 52 49

Title

Naoki Prize

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on July 17

Conversation
 

Kikuchi Kan icon

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

Kikuchi Kan icon

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

Kikuchi Kan icon

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

Kikuchi Kan icon

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

Kikuchi Kan icon


Buying Mittens

Reco Buying Mittens 56 7

Title

Buying Mittens

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on September 10

Conversation
 

Niimi Nankichi icon

Guess what! It's the day my book with "Buying Mittens" in it got its first print!

Miyazawa Kenji icon

"Buying Mittens" is about a mommy fox and a baby fox being made to go on an errand to town, right?
Nankichi, you often write stories with foxes in them, you must really love foxes.

Niimi Nankichi icon

Yup. There's also cows, doggies, snails...... I love all animals you can meet in the outdoors!
But of course I love foxes the best.

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Why are foxes your favorite?

Niimi Nankichi icon

Well, firstly Gon is a fox...... And foxes are friends.
Foxes have mysterious powers, and they can speak. That's why I can make friends with them.

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Yeah, foxes are mystical creatures after all. I also love foxes.

Niimi Nankichi icon

But everyone hates foxes since they're troublemakers......
So that's why I wanted them to see that's not all there is to them, and I wrote stories for that purpose.

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Yup, that's what it was. The foxes in your stories have both gentle and adorable sides, Nankichi.
Everyone will definitely grow to love foxes after reading your stories, Nankichi.

Niimi Nankichi icon

Fufufu, I wonder. I sure hope so. I'd be so happy if everyone turned into fox-lovers......


Rough Living

Reco Rough Living 10 78

Title

Rough Living

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on September 15

Conversation
 

Shimazaki Touson icon

Today is the day Shuusei's "Rough Living" was published, huh.
It seems the rough living depicted in this novel is not Shuusei's personal preference, though.

Shimazaki Touson icon

Hey, Shuusei, what do you think constitutes "daily life"?

Tokuda Shuusei icon

It's hard to think of off the top of my head......
Well, maybe something like this. Daily life for me, is peaceful, uneventful days.

Shimazaki Touson icon

Very interesting. It sure seems like you're lacking those days, Shuusei.

Tokuda Shuusei icon

Not really.
I'm living a tranquil life...... I think.

Shimazaki Touson icon

Are you really? How was yesterday?

Tokuda Shuusei icon

Oh man, yesterday Kouyou-sensei said he wanted delicious monaka snacks, so...... I was busy doing stuff like asking about it to people who are into sweets like Natsume-san and Mori-san, going out on the town, and running around looking for some.

Shimazaki Touson icon

I see. Then how about the day before yesterday?

Tokuda Shuusei icon

The day before yesterday, I was having a chat with Odasaku, and somehow the three musketeers of Decadent School had gathered. I got sucked into their energy,
and went out drinking with them. It was fun, but we discoursed about decadence and such and it tired me out a bit.

Shimazaki Touson icon

Wow. And today?

Tokuda Shuusei icon

Today your weird idea of encouragement the "Cheer Up Boring Shuusei Party" is getting put on......

Shimazaki Touson icon

Oh, yeah.
So you're saying that yesterday, the day before yesterday, and today just happened to all be especially busy?

Tokuda Shuusei icon

Well...... Hm, that's strange. I wonder what happened to my tranquil daily life?

Shimazaki Touson icon

If I did total coverage on you, Shuusei, I bet I could tell you.

Tokuda Shuusei icon

Tokuda Shuusei icon

Give it up please, you might force me to finally admit that my daily life is not peaceful at all.


The Birth of New Sensation School

Reco The Birth of New Sensation School 49 29 14

Title

The Birth of New Sensation School

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on October 1

Conversation
 

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

Now that you mention it, today is the day "Bungei Jidai" was published for the first time. *
Literally translates to "The Era of the Arts and Literature", it's yet another literary magazine

Yokomitsu Riichi icon

That's right. With "Bungei Jidai" as a starting point, we became known as the "New Sensation School".

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

I guess it's the "birth of the New Sensation School".
I've been wondering, you're still going on about "new sensation, new sensation" even now, right?
What exactly does that phrase "new sensation" mean?

Yokomitsu Riichi icon

Hm, good question...... To us, new sensation is impact, along with deep emotion.
So, when you say the sky's the limit, taking it as fact and for granted, a new sensation would burst through that limit.

Kawabata Yasunari icon

Through realizing that broken sky was actually a roof, you then begin to question whether what unfolds above that roof is really the sky or another roof......
Strong impact breaking through common tradition, just as a huge wave breaks upon previous ideologies and paints them anew......

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

What a complicated expression......
So for example, what kind of things do you call new sensations?

Yokomitsu Riichi icon

Well to take one example, the shaved ice you ate in the summer was. The crushed ice, a beautiful piece of art,
if gobbled up in a rush will cause cicadas to wail in your head - should you decide to watch it, you may admire the ephemerality of how delicately it melts...... All of it moves one's heart in hitherto unknown ways. *
He means a brain freeze by the cicadas screaming part.

Kawabata Yasunari icon

Yes, almost like...... a multistoried building of an instant, filled with so many surprises......

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

Didn't realize you guys liked it so much...... the shaved ice......

Kawabata Yasunari icon

Also when I found a good urn...... the traditional pattern with modern sensibilities took my breath away......
It's the impact of seeing something I should have seen a million times before and been completely used to as if it had been born again, the meaning changed completely.

Yokomitsu Riichi icon

Yes, that's right...... Things that already exist aren't necessarily excluded from being able to give new sensations.
There are times when antiques with hidden charms will suddenly break their silence and begin to speak forth.

Kawabata Yasunari icon

Yes...... Yes, that is exactly it......

Naoki Sanjuugo icon

Hold on, it does no good for me if you two understand each other!
I don't get it at all!


The Beginning of Ozaki Clan

Reco The Beginning of Ozaki Clan 20 5

Title

The Beginning of Ozaki Clan

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on October 19

Conversation
 

Ozaki Kouyou icon

Oh, Kyouka. Still not finished?

Izumi Kyouka icon

Izumi Kyouka icon

My apologies! Thank you for waiting, Kouyou-sensei.

Ozaki Kouyou icon

No need to apologize. Still, you are usually here ahead of time whenever it's time to head out.
What is it today?

Izumi Kyouka icon

Actually, I was looking at the calendar.
Today is the first day I was invited to Kouyou-sensei's house, so I was taken by nostalgia...

Ozaki Kouyou icon

Huh, so it is today. Now that I think about it, when you first came to me asking to be a disciple, I assigned you to watch the house.
You thought some food you have never seen before smelled weird, so you told me you thought it was rotten.

Izumi Kyouka icon

How embarrassing...I was a brat who did not know anything, and so ended up causing a lot of trouble...
I have matured like this thanks to your guidance.

Ozaki Kouyou icon

You have truly grown quite splendidly.

Izumi Kyouka icon

I am honored. I feel like the day I came knocking on your door is the day my life finally began.
I am proud to have been your disciple.

Ozaki Kouyou icon

Is that so...If it had not been for that day, we would never have this moment.
Life is such a mysterious thing. I, too, can't help but marvel about it.


Thursday Meetings

Reco Thursday Meetings 1 5

Title

Thursday Meetings

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on November 18

Conversation
 

Akutagawa Ryuunosuke icon

Sensei. May I trouble you for a visit tonight?

Akutagawa Ryuunosuke icon

...Ah, but it has to be on Thursday.

Natsume Souseki icon

I do not mind, visit at your leisure.
Still, it's rare for you to visit on such short notice. Did something happen?

Akutagawa Ryuunosuke icon

It's not anything major, but...Today was the day Kume and I came to your residence,
and had the opportunity to join the "Thursday Meetings". Once I remembered, I just got the urge to come talk to you about it.

Natsume Souseki icon

Ah, is that so. How strange, that you remember the day you first came to my house.

Akutagawa Ryuunosuke icon

I have never forgotten. The Thursdays I spent at your place were the best part of my week.

Natsume Souseki icon

I am happy to hear that.
But now we're not as busy as we were in life, so no need to be concerned about days and just visit whenever you'd like.

Akutagawa Ryuunosuke icon

Haha, thank you very much.
However, I have already equated Sensei to Thursday in my mind. Therefore, I shall still trouble you on Thursdays.

Natsume Souseki icon

Is that so. Then, I shall also look forward to these Thursdays.
That said, today is special. It is a commemoration of the day you first joined us, so don't concern yourself with days.

Akutagawa Ryuunosuke icon

Then, my apologies for the trouble. I'm bringing some youkan as a gift.

Natsume Souseki icon

You don't need to go that far...is what I'd like to say, but I would gladly take some youkan.
Then, I'll be waiting here for the tea to seep.


The Sick Rose

Reco The Sick Rose 8 26

Title

The Sick Rose

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on November 28

Conversation
 

Satou Haruo icon

Today is the day my first collection "The Sick Rose" was published.

Tanizaki Junichirou icon

Right, the work that was to be the inspiration of "Melancholy of the Country". At the time of publication, you weren't satisfied with that work, and it was finally completed later on.

Satou Haruo icon

Yeah. I had some reservations even before the revision, but for a first work it certainly encompassed my ideas.
Thank you for writing the preface to "Sick Rose", Tanizaki.

Tanizaki Junichirou icon

Oh, it was nothing!
When I heard you finally published something, I was too excited to even stand still.

Satou Haruo icon

Now that I remember, you said something to that effect back then too...

Tanizaki Junichirou icon

Did you forget, Haruo-san?
Back then, I refrained from heaping high praises from you especially since I was your close friend,
But seeing your work on the shelves, in the eye of the public, made me so happy you could not imagine it!

Satou Haruo icon

Wow, I'm humbled by your passionate praise.

Tanizaki Junichirou icon

I couldn't help it!
Your work depicted scenes that are transcendentally delicate, with abnormal beauty.
Seeing that, I was moved by the world you portrayed...

Satou Haruo icon

(Tanizaki is hardly ever this straightforward...
He usually just goes on and on about women's literature, I didn't know he was this passionate about literature...)


The Restaurant of Many Orders

Reco The Restaurant of Many Orders 7 36

Title

The Restaurant of Many Orders

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on December 1

Conversation
 

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Mitsu-san, welcome!
Come in, come in. *
Kenji calls him by his real name, Mitsutarou, which is written with same kanji as Koutarou.

Takamura Koutarou icon

My apologies for the trouble. What is today's meeting about?

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Never mind that. First, take off your jacket.

Takamura Koutarou icon

Hm? Oh, you lit a fireplace too. It's quite warm.

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Since the outside's gotten cold. I prepared a fire since I don't want anyone to get cold.
Oh, right, since you just came from outside, go wash your hands first.

Takamura Koutarou icon

True, it's important especially in this season. It's easy to get sick.
Then, I'll go wash my hands now.

Takamura Koutarou icon

*leaves*

Takamura Koutarou icon

.........

Takamura Koutarou icon

*returns*

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Now that that's done, your skin must be dried out, right?
Tanizaki-san gave me this hand cream, so you put it on.

Takamura Koutarou icon

...Thank you.
Is this apple-scented? What a nice smell.

Takamura Koutarou icon

...Now then, I should coat my body in salt, right?

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Ahahaha, I got found out. Just joking.

Takamura Koutarou icon

Hm, today is the day your "Restaurant of Many Orders" was published, wasn't it?

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Ehehe. I wanted to call everyone over today to read my book.
Nankichi is bringing some dango, so do you want to eat them together?

Takamura Koutarou icon

Of course. Let's wait for Nankichi and then read together with everyone.

Miyazawa Kenji icon

Yeah! Thanks, Mitsu-san!


Poems of the Goat

Reco Poems of the Goat 21 55 4

Title

Poems of the Goat

Trigger Condition

Visit the Main Library on December 10

Conversation
 

Sakaguchi Ango icon

Yo, Miyoshi. Come sit over here.

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Ango, have you been day-drinking?
Guess you're back at living the delinquent life again......

Sakaguchi Ango icon

Nah, it's because today is special.
I just heard earlier, apparently today is the original publication date of this guy's book.

Nakahara Chuuya icon

Yua~n... Yuyo~n......

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Is that so? If we're talking Chuuya-san's book, then it's "Poems of the Goat", right?
But the man himself is passed out from drinking here, isn't he?

Sakaguchi Ango icon

He was picking fights with Dazai at first, but as soon as that guy went back he quieted down quite a bit.
And now all he's been doing is just incoherently reciting poems.

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Incoherently reciting poems?

Sakaguchi Ango icon

Just look at him...... Oi, Chuuya. "Several ages have come, and......"?

Nakahara Chuuya icon

Mu...... brown wars have come...... several ages have come...... In winter, the strong breeze blew......

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

He's started to recite by heart the poem he composed, huh......

Sakaguchi Ango icon

Ain't it a riot? I've been playing this game with him for a bit already. Even though they are his own poems, he seriously remembers them well.

Miyoshi Tatsuji icon

Hahh, it's really something that he doesn't forget his poems even when drunk,
But you must have a lot of free time on your hands to be playing with him like this......

Sakaguchi Ango icon

Yeah, true. Time wasted is the epitome of decadence, after all.
Hey, Chuuya. "It's not resplendent or anything, but......"?

Nakahara Chuuya icon

Mmm, without letting go of this bridle...... pass by this blackened region......


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