[Bilingual JP/EN] 二か国語 夏目漱石「銀短冊」 : Kyoka Izumi’s “ Silver Tanzaku ” by Soseki NATSUME

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📚夏目漱石　「銀短冊 」
鏡花君の「銀短冊」は草双紙時代の思想と明治時代の思想とを継ぎはぎしたようだ。夢幻ならば夢幻で面白い。明治の空気を呼吸したものなら、また其空気を写したので面白い。唯継ぎはぎものでは纏まった興趣が起こらない。然し確かに天才だ。一句一句の妙はいうべからざるものがある。古沼の飽くまで錆にふりたものだと見たものが、鯰の群で蠢動めいているなどは余程の奇想だ。若しこの人が解脱したなら、恐らく天下一品だろう。
Kyoka Izumi’s “ Silver Tanzaku ” by Soseki NATSUME
Kyoka’s “ Silver Tanzaku ”, seems like a patchwork of the ideologies of the Kusazoshi, or Muromachi era(*), and the Meiji era. If it is a fantasy, then it is fascinating as a fantasy. If it has breathed in the air of the Meiji era and reflected that air, then it is interesting in that aspect as well. However, a patchwork does not create a cohesive interest. Nevertheless, he is certainly a genius. Each phrase contains such exquisite elements that they are self-evident. To see something that appears to be an ancient pond brimming with dark moss, only to turn into a writhing group of catfish, is quite a strange idea. If this person achieves enlightenment, he will probably be unparalleled in the world.
*草双紙 (kusazōshi) refers to a type of Japanese illustrated fiction that was popular during the Muromachi period (1336-1573). These works were written in a colloquial style and were often humorous or satirical in nature. Kusazōshi were usually small, cheaply produced booklets with woodblock-printed illustrations. They were a precursor to the modern Japanese novel and had a significant influence on later Japanese literature.
While not as widely known outside Japan, Kyōka's works are celebrated for their artistic quality and unique perspective on Japanese literature.
Natsume Sōseki and Kyōka Izumi were both important figures in modern Japanese literature, but they differed in their styles, themes, and the legacy of their works. Sōseki's introspective and psychologically rich novels contrast with Kyōka's poetic and fantastical storytelling, highlighting the diversity of Japanese literary expression in the early 20th century.
-Translation is my own