I took the opportunity of my commemorative birthday "kiju" of
77 years old in May last year to complete one work spending a little more
than a year until this summer. It was the last (?) review of my four autobiographical
novels.
I tried to revise them in comparison with my present state of mind. I admit
I did many changes for the worse, but I had to because my present understanding
is prerequisite.
The following are those works with English translations and my reading
of hoarse voise.
- - - - - - - -
The hero of "Life of a Seafarer" is my father with my mother as a heroine.
I wrote the life of my father, a seafarer, by the help of my mother and
brother. He worked his fingers to the bone to dive for pearl oysters in
Arafura Sea north of Australia until the age of 33 for 17 years, and after
returning home fulfilled his life of ups and downs until his death at the
age of 68. Though it was beyond my power, I tried to deepen the story of
his whole life including my mother's silent force behind the scene as much
as possible. I am not satisfied with the result, but I may say I wrote
it with all my heart.
- - - - - - - -
"25 years with Hayatama Steel" is my full life after the graduation of university until leaving Daido
Steel (actual name) at the age of 48 caused by brain infarction a coupleof
years before. Looking back on the twists and turns in my own way, I wrote
my days of youth and maturity with favoritism.
- - - - - - - -
10 years after the dropout from Daido Steel were full of my miscalculations
of a bad dream, which put Emiko, my wife, to so much trouble and difficulty.
During those days my family had a parakeet, Pea-chan, as a pet. This Pea-chan
helped me while I was biding my time. His life of 8 years was the most
emotional support to me and really served as a bridge to my present happy
life with Emiko.
"I am Pea-chan, the Parakeet" (131st story in Zakki-cho) was written based on what he did specially
for me as a family member in my fifties.
This revised version (111th story in Zakki-cho) includes my mental state
after his death, which must be an unnecessary addition.
- - - - - - - -
In my sixties a memorable event occurred to me unexpectedly. I have to
say its fruit is my longest novel "Auditorium Where Monsters Live".
I assisted December Club with the production of their homepage at my age
of 60 for a little less than a year. December Club is a classmate-group
of Hitotsubashi University graduated in December 1941 forward from next
March due to the outbreak of the Pacific War. They were over the age of
80 when I assisted them.
For myself that work made me close to my alma mater with so little memory.
After the completion of their homepage "December Club", Mr. N,
a leader of the classmates, made close friends with me. He invited me to
most of the alumni "Josuikai Party" meetings.
During the time, he asked me to seek with him the origin of Kanematsu Auditorium
in Kunitachi campus of Hitotsubashi University.
This auditorium is, somehow, infested with a lot of monsters. Most of them
were kneaded and made by Chuta Itoh, "Giant in the architectural world".
There must be something lurked at the back!
As the investigation proceeded, some inside story, maybe a hidden school
history, came out like being unveiled.
When his investigation was finished and he started the summary, Mr. N suffered
from a serious illness and died. This work accompanying me was really his
lifework.
While in bed, he strongly asked me to do the summary work for him. I did
my best in my life, and the fruit is this novel which I am spreading as
a super long novel.
I have no confidence that it is worth being read by common people, but
I have self-satisfaction and a sense of achievement.
