“In the spring, cherry blossoms, in the summer the cuckoo. In autumn the moon, and in winter the snow, clear, cold.”
—from “Innate Spirit”, by Dōgen
It’s easy to see why the cherry blossom is regarded as an inimitable symbol of springtime in Japan. Blooming for only a week or two each year, this muse of the vernal season not only graces the Japanese landscape with enchanting elegance but also emanates a subtle, gentle charm that’s evocative of the country’s own aesthetic sensibility. As no poem can ever be as lovely as a tree, no verse can ever be enough to express in words the full beauty of the Sakura’s flowers.
Surely, there is nothing that represents spring in the old capital better than these flowers.
In The Old Capital, Nobel-laureate Yasunari Kawabata weaves a story about a Kimono designer’s daughter whose endearing qualities is no less than that of the white cherry blossoms that fill the air with a pervasive sense of purity, modesty, and delicate beauty. The first chapter, “The Flowers of Spring,” evokes a floating feeling quite similar to being young at heart. And true enough, even before the end of this short chapter, I found myself falling in love with the beautiful young woman as she takes delight at the countless blossoms which couldn’t have surpassed her own loveliness. Reading each of her lines made me feel like I was really there before her, listening to her “pure voice with a beautiful note of strength that rang in its depths.”
Also like the cherry blossoms, however, the sight of her is not without a note of sadness. Obedient and caring, Chieko is the pampered daughter of Shige and Takichiro, a middle-class couple who’s told her since her youth that they’d kidnapped her while only a newborn because their hearts were pierced by her flowerlike smile. But as the seasons change, she grows ever more convinced that she was actually a foundling—an “abandoned child” left at the doorsteps of her adoptive parents. Soon, the peaceful life she has come to cherish collides with a world she had not known, leaving her confused like the old capital where ancient traditions appear ever in threat from the changes embraced by the emerging modern society.
Perhaps it had not been sadness. Maybe it was the surprise, the puzzlement, the distress . . . Perhaps it’s a girl’s fate to shed tears.
Kawabata’s writing is said to be “suggestive of a Zen brush-and-ink painting where what is omitted is as important as what is included.” Publisher’s Weekly couldn’t have been more accurate in such description. In this subdued narrative, characters are often lost deep in thought—a mood that constantly reflects the peaceful yet elusive tone of the story. Dialogues quickly turn into monologues when after one character speaks, the other would simply be described as “silent” or “saying nothing.” But in silence, Kawabata’s brilliance only becomes more evident as those brief moments of pause intensify the feelings brought forth by the statements that precede them. With few words, he is able to express the intense physical and emotional states that his characters go through, making a short scene feel like an actual experience.
But the book’s polite yet spirited characters are not the only captivating elements of the story. In between affectionate dialogues, Kawabata slips in nearly-ethereal word-paintings of the characters’ surroundings, as if carefully taking note of the atmosphere that bears witness to the tale. The summer sky, the winter snow, the towering cedars and fallen petals, gardens and shrines, prayers and processions, festivals, geishas, maikos, vendors, locals and foreigners—they’re all part of the painted picture where beauty often meets with sadness. It’s a tour of post-war Japan that offers a close look at its people, its places, and its practices at a time when the country’s identity is at a turning point.
The Old Capital is truly a story of “inexpressible warmth,” a novel of such exquisite quality that it was called Kawabata’s “most outstanding” work at the time of his Nobel Prize citation.
I won’t forget this.
For all my life, I’ll never forget this.
The Old Capital
Shoemaker & Hoard (2006)
What a nice tribute to Kawabata’s work. I’ve never read any of his novels, but The Old Capital is one I’ll definitely read. The story and prose sound too inviting. Very nice review!
Thanks Harvee! Much of what I’ve read this year are books that I consider to be great works, but this one in particular is something I really took much delight in reading. It’s a rather short novel, but I enjoyed getting absorbed in literally every page of the book
Such a beautiful post. The opening quote is wonderful. I love sakura and its brief but symbolic appearance.
Mark David-a great review-you have deepened my response to this work–
@Paperback Reader: Thanks! I have yet to see cherry blossoms for real, but just by looking at pictures of them I already feel captivated by their beauty
@Mel: Thanks, I enjoyed your review as well. I do hope more bloggers would get to read this as I’d love for us to have a discussion about this book.
Mark, you write such exquisite posts. They create an image as clearly as a painting; I just love the way you use vocabulary, phrasing, all of it...I can’t say what I mean as well as you write. Anyway, this review is so lovely I want to read the book. What a comparison from the girl to the cherry blossoms, and I can relate to her being told she was kidnapped but suspects she was abandoned. I want to read this now, and I commend you on your posts which I read slowly and carefully.
Aww, shucks, Belleza you’re starting to become like a favorite teacher I totally missed out on having. Your thoughts and compliments, of course, are much appreciated and you certainly said it too well this time.
You all push and inspire me greatly to continue to work on my writing, something which I now have come to love. For what it’s worth, I really am so thankful to all of you who drop by and make my full day’s effort of pondering, typing, and editing really worthwhile. We didn’t have work today and it’s been great just having to sit at home writing and reading
I’ve been meaning to read some Kawabata, and this lovely essay moved him right up my queue. You articulate so well the subtle, quiet quality of the prose, and it sounds gorgeous. Thanks for this!
This was a fantastic review. An outstanding post...
I cannot say it any better than the other commenters, but to me each of your reviews is a little work of art. And they convince me to read the books.
Damn. Too many books. I need to stop reading reviews (they only make me want to buy more books)
A beautifully written review! I’ll keep this book in mind.
–Anna
Diary of an Eccentric
I enjoy shorter novels at times, although I may be wistful at the end.
When I finish up some of the other books in my reading queue, I’ll look for this book. Thanks for a lovely review!
I am enthralled and this novel is right up my alley. These beautiful and silent personal tragedy stories always ring so close to my heart and I have yet to read of an author that makes the things unsaid and unwritten matter as well. My ability to read in between the lines has been blurred a bit, so this will spring it back to life.
This is an exquisite review. Thoughtful, articulate, passionate–just lovely. I think this book may already have been on my list, but you have not only moved it up, but given it stars. Thank you!
Oh thank you, thank you all for your lovely comments
@Emily: thanks for calling it an essay. I did try to make it sound like one
@JM: Thanks, it’s an outstanding book
@Charlie: Very flattering, thank you!
@Tony: Yes, I know how that feels! I have around 20 more unread books in my shelf and yet I still keep visiting the bookstore. It’s an addiction already, LOL
@Anna: I do hope you read it someday so we can all have a discussion about it. Thanks!
@Suko: Yes I love shorter novels too. Thanks for visiting!
@Harry: Oh, that’s touching. I believe you will enjoy being absorbed in Chieko’s story. I hope you find a copy. Thanks! (hey, I’m now starting to get a liking for manga and graphics novels. I’ll try to post a review one of these days. Thanks to you and Carl)
@ds: Stars, oh how flattering. You’re quite the passionate reader yourself, I’m sure you’ll love the intensity of unspoken emotions in this book. Thanks
That is what Japanese mangas and their flirtation with personal tragedies will do to me. I have a srange inflatuation with stories that make me ache.
I can relate with you, my friend. The Japanese seem to have a rather distinct way of depicting melancholy. To me it often seems to have this quality of being evident but unexpressed or unspoken. And that element of silence only makes it more dramatic.
Your review is lovely, but I’m not convinced that I should read another Kawabata’s anytime soon. I’ve read Snow Country earlier this year, and it felt exactly like what you described here about Kawabata’s books. Everything was much too subtle for me. I must say that the cover of this one looks amazing. Have you read his other books? How about Snow Country?
Thanks Mee! Yes, the cover is very very pretty, I’m really glad I found this edition
You’re right about his works being subtle, and yes this particular novel really is quite subdued, so I can also imagine that it wouldn’t be so appealing to some readers. I haven’t read Snow Country yet, but I’d like to look for Beauty and Sadness. I find it interesting that while reading this book, those were the words that keep crossing my mind, beauty and sadness. As it happens, that title of Kawabata’s other book is a lingering theme in this one.
David.. I agree with all the commenters. Such an excellent review. I was going to read all Kawabata anyway, but you’ve just convinced me to make this my next.
Thanks Claire! Oh I’m confident that you’ll like Kawabata. His works are such a classic example of that calm Japanese touch. Ultimately, I didn’t feel like this book is a sad story. But I hear his other popular works like Snow Country and Beauty and Sadness are quite the tragedies. Either way, I’m also looking forward to read them
I have read Snow Country and The Sound of the Mountain. Both are stunningly quiet, as you take The Old Capital to be. I’ll see if I can fit it in this year (hopefully) hehe.
This is a beautifully written post. Like you, I like really subdued writing. Sometimes they can get overly quiet to the point of becoming boring, but most of the time, Japanese authors write quiet stories very well.
I hope to find this book in the library some day. It’s becoming increasing difficult to find specific books that are being reviewed for this challenge.
Again, Mark David, great great post.
Thanks Michelle! I’m beginning to get a grasp of why many Japanese writers appear to be attuned to the subdued and melancholic. I saw a book at Belleza’s site that apparently talks about Mono No Aware, which I learn is about “awareness of the transience of all things, and a gentle sadness at their passing.”
See this link:
Mono No Aware: The Essence of Japan
Interesting–I don’t usually pick up books like this, but it does sound interesting–light but colorful.
Thanks, that’s a nice way to put it! It is light and somehow colorful
I really like the new layout of your blog, David! You deserved to win the award I nominated you for in the BBAW competition — layout.
love the new layout-looks great
WOW! You nominated me for that? Thank you very much
To think that I was really racking my brains for the past two months on just how to get the layout right, cause I often encounter the problem of having the need to add something but not having an idea how and where to put it. So for the past couple of weeks this is all I’ve been working on whenever I have some free time. It’s been frustrating for the longest time, just thinking and thinking but not coming up with a satisfactory idea. I’m not really so good when it comes to designing stuff, so it was really hard for me. But now at least I have something I’m comfortable with and I can use more easily. Posting should be easier for me from now on, and that really was my goal. Hopefully I can add a few more finishing touches and usability enhancements in the following weeks.
It’s very flattering that you think highly of the layout. I really appreciate it Harvee. Makes all the hard work even more worthwhile
Thanks Mel! Hey guys, I’m sorry for being somewhat absent in the community these past weeks. This layout and work and other stuff at home really kept me busy. Now it’s time to catch up with your blogs and with my reading as well
My idea for this layout was indeed inspired by other blogs, like (among many others) the clean and spacious feel of Claire’s and Frances’ blogs, and the very neat and organized look of Tabanata’s
What a wonderful post. I really wants me to read, and find out more about Kawabata. Thanks Mark.
...Perhaps it’s a girl’s fate to shed tears...
That line was all I needed to read to know that I HAD to know the rest of the story. Lovely Review.
Thanks Diane, thanks Midnight Whisperer! I do hope you both like it as much as I did. I consider it as one of my very best reads this year
I read your review before but I just realized I never left a comment. I can tell you that there is indeed something so beautiful yet melancholy about the evanescence of the cherry blossoms. It really is quite a sight when the trees are briefly in full bloom in the spring. If you can time it right, it’s definitely one of the best seasons to visit Japan. The other being, in my opinion, autumn when the Japanese maple are fiery red.
I’m really looking forward to reading this book next month and then discussing it together.
And thank you for the compliment on my blog layout. I love your new look! It’s very zen. I sometimes wonder if mine is too cluttered, so I’m pleased to know you consider it ‘neat and organized’. I like to think of it as organized chaos myself.
@Tanabata: Oh I’d really love to see cherry blossoms in Japan one day
Thanks for thinking of my layout as being Zen-like, that’s really something. I love the look of Zen 
Can’t wait to hear other people thoughts about the book! (especially yours)
This is my first visit to your blog, Mark David. You’ve really convinced me to read The Old Capital. Thanks! I love your blog.
Thank you Helen. I’m very glad you enjoyed your visit
What a beautiful review. I read a couple of Kawabata’s novels many years ago but hadn’t heard of The Old Capital, but I’m tempted to read it now.
Thanks a lot chasingbawa! I’m thinking it might feel a little too placid for some readers, but I do hope you enjoy it because I did love it very much.