On my arrival at Tokyo, I rushed into her house swinging…
““On my arrival at Tokyo, I rushed into her house swinging my valise, before going to a hotel, with "Hello, Kiyo, I'm back!" "How good of you to return so soon!" she cried and hot tears streamed down her cheeks. I was overjoyed, and declared that I would not go to the country any more but would start housekeeping with Kiyo in Tokyo. Some time afterward, some one helped me to a job as assistant engineer at the tram car office. The salary was 25 yen a month, and the house rent six. Although the house had not a magnificent front entrance, Kiyo seemed quite satisfied, but, I am sorry to say, she was a victim of pneumonia and died in February this year. On the day preceding her death, she asked me to bedside, and said, "Please, Master Darling, if Kiyo is dead, bury me in the temple yard of Master Darling. I will be glad to wait in the grave for my Master Darling." So Kiyo's grave is in the Yogen temple at Kobinata.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A young teacher returns home, forms a deep bond with a housemaid, and faces loss, highlighting fleeting happiness and devotion.
In simple terms: A man finds love, loses it, and reflects on loyalty.
Key Takeaway
Cherish relationships while they last.
Themes
friendship
loss
loyalty
class
cultural transition
Mood
melancholic
reflective
nostalgic
Type
literary
personal narrative
historical
When to use this quote
- starting a new job
- adjusting to a new city
- dealing with grief
- honoring a loved one
- reflecting on social class
Key Concepts
Japanese literature
nostalgia
mortality
Questions to Reflect On
- How does cultural duty shape personal choices?
- What can we learn about resilience from Kiyo’s story?
A Different Perspective
The narrative romanticizes sacrifice, overlooking systemic hardships of the era.