Old Saburō

Old Saburō has a story for every scar, every boast, and every disappointment. Born in a remote northeastern village where foxes were said to deceive travelers, he grows from a mischievous temple boy into a formidable carpenter and settler. His strength, blunt speech, and confidence win him a place beside Yamazawa, a former samurai who understands both his faults and his loyalty.

Their bond gives Saburō work worth doing and a pride that ordinary village opinion cannot easily shake. Yet illness, bereavement, an accusation, and increasing poverty test the life he has built. The narrator listens to his legends while tracing the affection and loneliness behind his stubborn independence.

First published in 1918, Miyamoto Yuriko’s story combines comic episodes with a moving portrait of personal devotion and rural change. This complete English translation preserves all thirteen sections, village dialogue, and the final account of Saburō’s household. Notes explain historical measures, local expressions, uncertain readings, and the distinction between reported belief and the narrator’s interpretation. AI-assisted translation.