Hikarigoke

A medium-length novel by Takeda Taijun (the latter half is a two-act play). It was first published in Shincho in March 1954 (Showa 29). It was included in Bibo no Shinto (Beautiful Beloved), published by Shinchosha in July of the same year. One winter during World War II, an army transport ship is wrecked off the coast of Rausu on the Shiretoko Peninsula. The captain and several crew members survive and take refuge in a cave, but transportation is cut off and there is no food. In the end, only the captain survives, eating the flesh of his dead comrades. His cannibalism is discovered and he is put on trial. When questioned by the judge, the captain simply replies, "I am holding back." At the end of the play, a halo of light, which is said to be evidence of cannibalism, spreads over the judge, the lawyers, and the men and women in the audience. This is a masterpiece of thought that delves deeply into the issues of survival in extreme situations and awareness of guilt.

[Tokuyoshi Sukekawa]

"Hikarigoke: The Smell of Sea Skin" (Shincho Bunko) ▽ "A Study of Takeda Taijun by Matsubara Shinichi" (1970, Shinbisha)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

武田泰淳(たいじゅん)の中編小説（後半は戯曲二幕）。1954年（昭和29）3月『新潮』に発表。同年7月新潮社刊の『美貌(びぼう)の信徒』に収録。第二次世界大戦中のある冬、知床(しれとこ)半島の羅臼(らうす)沖で陸軍の輸送船が難破する。船長と数名の船員が助かって洞窟(どうくつ)にこもるが、交通が途絶し食糧がない。死んだ仲間の人肉を食って、結局船長だけが生き残る。人肉食いが発覚して裁判に付せられる。裁判長の訊問(じんもん)に船長はただ「私は我慢しています」と答える。幕切れでは、裁判長、弁護士、傍聴の男女の上に、人肉食いの証拠とされる光の輪が広がる。極限状況のなかにおける生存と、罪の自覚の問題を深くえぐった思想的な名作である。

［助川徳是］

『『ひかりごけ・海肌の匂い』（新潮文庫）』▽『松原新一著『武田泰淳論』（1970・審美社）』

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例