Higuchi Ichiyo

NOTES ON HIGUCHI ICHIYO

Higuchi Ichiyo. "Separate Ways" (Norton Vol. E, 907-13).

There really isn't any doubt about the decision that Okyo has made -- her friend's complaint is sincere, but also impractical.  One thing the very poor can't afford is this kind of sentiment about life. 

Kichizo is a lonely orphan.  He has no idea where he's from, and his integrity comes from the fine job he does working with umbrellas in the shop where he also resides as an employee.  Aside, that is, from his intimate connection with Okyo, whose affection for him is evidently quite sincere.  Just about everybody else calls him "dwarf" and taunts him for his short stature.

Kichizo has a strong sense that his fate will never bring him any opportunities up and out -- we can see that in the story's first couple of pages from his dialogue with Okyo.  But as for her, he insists, there is a way out of the impoverished environment in which she lives: she is pretty and stands a good chance of becoming some wealthy patron's mistress.  That would certainly take her beyond her present orbit.

Okyo ends up surprising Kichizo with just such a decision.  She tries to break it to him gently, though she tells the truth when pressed for it.  And that truth is another harsh blow to Kichizo: his beautiful friend will not be able to commune with him anymore, won't be making him a kimono like she promised.  I think she has been slow to recognize that brute fact of the change she is about to accept.  But there's really not much of a choice here: she needs to accept the good fortune that has come her way, and she can't afford to be overly sentimental about it.  Necessity rules in such cases, and Okyo is not a fool.

The story's effect comes from its poignant dialogue and character creation.