Around Father’s Hundredth-Day Memorial

The hundredth-day memorial for his father is approaching, but a young man seeks refuge in the geisha establishment his father once frequented. Sake and recollections offer relief from a household burdened by debts, earthquake losses and bitter arguments over authority. His mother demands responsibility, his wife challenges his conduct, and the women around him recognize the weakness beneath his theatrical declarations.

Makino Shin’ichi moves between present quarrels and memories of a father whose convivial generosity concealed business failures. The son longs to inherit that freedom, yet finds himself repeating the selfishness he condemns in others. Even grief becomes uncertain as he imagines his own troubles as scenes in a play.

First published in 1924, this sharply observed story brings family loyalties, wounded pride and self-deception into uneasy proximity. This complete English translation preserves all six sections, the original ending and the closing date, with notes explaining theatrical references, memorial customs, source readings and historical measures. AI-assisted translation.