The Setting Sun

Kazuko describes her “sensation of helplessness, as if it were utterly impossible to go on living” (53). She knits a scarf as rain falls incessantly. She reflects on her mother’s eye for color and mood, then she is taken aback by her mother’s assessment of her thoughtfulness. Kazuko surprises herself by saying that her thoughtfulness is because she does not have “any children” at the age of 29. Her mother is wearing gauze over her face, a recommendation from Naoji which has surprised Kazuko.

Naoji returned to the family a week before. He immediately complained about the Chinese-style house. Their mother was sick, prompting Naoji to wonder whether “it’d be best for her if she died soon” (58). Shortly after returning, he sent Kazuko to fetch him sake from the local inn. When Kazuko returned empty-handed, Naoji went out himself and got very drunk on gin. He has little to say about his time away or anything in particular, other than recommending that his mother wear a gauze mask to combat her sickness. Kazuko, who knows her mother does not like to cover her face, was surprised that her mother “meekly” followed Naoji’s suggestion.