Sounds of the Mountains

This full-length novel by Kawabata Yasunari is one of his postwar masterpieces. It was published in various magazines such as Kaizo Bungei from 1949 to 1954 (Showa 24-29), and in 1954 was published by Chikuma Shobo. It won the Noma Literary Prize. Shingo, who has just turned 60, is overcome with fear when he hears a rumbling sound in the mountains, thinking it is a premonition of his death. Having led a boring life and feeling that death is near, Shingo sees his son Shuichi's wife Kikuko as a ray of light for him. However, when he realizes his innermost desire for Kikuko, Shingo separates her from himself and resolves to face old age and death. It is a symbolic work that depicts the dreams, sorrows, and resolve of old age against the backdrop of the changing of the seasons. It also draws on the traditions of Noh and haiku.

[Tetsuya Hatori]

"The Sound of the Mountains (Obunsha Bunko/Shincho Bunko)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

川端康成(やすなり)の長編小説で戦後の代表作。1949～54年（昭和24～29）『改造文芸』など諸誌に分載、54年筑摩(ちくま)書房より刊行。野間文芸賞受賞。還暦を過ぎた信吾(しんご)は山の鳴る音を聞き、死の予告かと恐怖に襲われた。味けない生涯を送り、死も近いと思われる信吾に、息子修一の嫁菊子(きくこ)が生の明かりと思われたりする。しかし菊子に対する自分の内奥の欲望に気づいたとき、信吾は菊子を自分から引き離し、老いと死に対することを決意する。老年の夢と悲哀と覚悟とを季節の流れを背景に描いた象徴的作品。能や俳諧(はいかい)の伝統も流れている。

［羽鳥徹哉］

『『山の音』（旺文社文庫・新潮文庫）』

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