自由高さH

In Narihirabashi, in the old low-lying east of Tokyo, a man has taken over a shut-down works that used to make springs. He spends his days rasping lengths of wood smooth and painting them, coat after coat, with persimmon tannin. Neighbours show up to help sweep the place out, a former girlfriend appears without warning, and the elderly owner looks in from time to time. Alongside runs the history of the old man's spring business, which thrived on sheer doggedness rather than craft. Threads that seem unrelated slowly join, and the bonds between people give and pull back like coiled wire.

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About the book

Form

Novella

Length

110 pages in the original

Set in

Japan

First published

2010 by Bungeishunju

Author's age

35 when first published

ISBN

9784163296302 (original)