The Old Capital

by Kawabata, Yasunari; Holman, J. Martin

• ISBN13: 9781593760328
• ISBN10: 1593760329
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-01-10
• Publisher: Counterpoint

Summary

A young woman in historic Kyoto grapples with secrets from her past in this lyrical work of Japanese literature from a Nobel Prize–winning author.

The Old Capital is one of the three novels cited specifically by the Nobel Committee when they awarded Yasunari Kawabata the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1968. With the ethereal tone and aesthetic styling characteristic of Kawabata's prose, The Old Capital tells the story of Chieko, the adopted daughter of a Kyoto kimono designer, Takichiro, and his wife, Shige.

Set in the traditional city of Kyoto, Japan, this deeply poetic story revolves around Chieko who becomes bewildered and troubled as she discovers the true facets of her past. With the harmony and time–honored customs of a Japanese backdrop, the story becomes poignant as Chieko's longing and confusion develops.

Author Biography

Yasunari Kawabata was a Japanese novelist and short story writer whose spare, lyrical, subtly-shaded prose works won him the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1968.

Table of Contents

TRANSLATOR'S NOTES	VII
THE FLOWERS OF SPRING	1	(18)
THE CONVENT TEMPLE AND THE LATTICE DOOR	19	(20)
THE KIMONO TOWN	39	(22)
KITAYAMA CEDARS	61	(20)
THE GION FESTIVAL	81	(22)
THE COLOR OF AUTUMN	103	(20)
THE GREEN OF PINES	123	(24)
DEEP AUTUMN SISTERS	147	(16)
WINTER FLOWERS	163