Higuchi Ichiyou
Pushkin Press
26 March 2026
208
eBook - PDF
Classics
ARC via NetGalley
This collection of short stories, several never before translated, brings the work of Ichiyo Higuchi to an English readership for the first time. In her brief life, cut short by tuberculosis at the age of 24, she became the first woman in Japan to make a living as a writer. A major figure of turn-of-the-century Meiji-era literature, she left behind her a collection of short stories, poems and diaries that turned creative attention to the lives of Tokyo’s poor and broke a path for women and realist fiction writers alike.
In the title story, ‘Troubled Waters’, courtesan Oriki dismisses a lover who can no longer afford to pay for her favors – but when his obsession continues the consequences for both, and for his wife and child, will turn tragic. ‘Growing Pains’, one of the single most famous short stories in Japanese literature, depicts the coming of age of a group of children in Tokyo’s red-light district. Lively Midori, serious Nobu and hardworking Shota find childhood and its freedoms coming to a close over the course of a season, bookended by summer and winter festivals whose events prove decisive for each of their lives.
These and 3 other stories are rendered in a fresh translation by Bryan Karetnyk, giving English readers access to Higuchi’s sensitive moral awareness, earthy street humor, and elegiac rendering of life’s inevitable compromises.
Troubled Waters offered an insightful collection of short stories highlighting the poorer sections of Japanese society during the end of the 19th century. As always with such collections, some stories appealed more than others. For me, the opening and closing tales were the most captivating, 'Troubled Waters' being the standout. However, I was less invested in 'Growing Pains' despite its fame; that story just didn't capture my interest quite so much. All up, though, this is a wonderful collection of stories and a great introduction to Higuchi Ichiyou. Recommended for fans of classic short stories and Japanese literature. I am giving it 4 stars.
I received this book as a free eBook ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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