Kusamakura, initially translated as The Three-Cornered World, is a masterpiece by Japanese Author Natsume Sōseki, published in 1906, describing the experience of a poet with the real-world through the romanced retreat of a young artist in the mountains, where he meets with solitude and a mysterious woman, O-Nami. She immediately captivates him and unleash urges of poetic expression. She is mysterious, weird to the point of seeming crazy to the villagers, and, of course, of stupendous beauty.
The artist initially planned to paint but the poetic grip is so strong that he turns instead to a more immediate, urgent, intense and deeper form of expression—literature—and write haikus. One of the most erotic interaction in the narrative is the taunting O-Nami makes of him by correcting his poems, which she copies (rather than overwrites), substituting one line with a superior version:
Beneath the poemsomeone has addedThe maddened woman
setting the dewdrops trembling
on the aronia.Because it is written in pencil, I can gain no clear sense of the writing style, but it looks too firm for a woman’s hand and too soft for a man’s. Here’s another surprise! Looking at the next poem,The crow at dawn
setting the dewdrops trembling
on the aronia.I see that the person has added below itShadow of blossoms
shadowed form of a woman
hazy on the ground.BeneathShadow of blossoms
shadowed form of a woman
doubled and overlaid.is writtenInari’s fox god
has changed to a woman’s shape
under the hazed moon.Young Yoshitsune
has changed to a woman’s shape
under the hazed moon.
This intellectual embrace or fusion is even more moving than the more physical one they experience later in the spa when, still with complete elegance and restrain, she joins him in the water so that they touch each other, not directly but, this time through the water and vision. A beautiful connection, remaining intact in its purity despite ascending to being total in its intensity.
It is the biggest achievement of any poet to have found their O-Nami. I don't know if she has to be Japanese but it certainly doesn't hurt if she is.
The novel is interesting on many accounts, one being the analytical description of the meaning, purpose and intent of poetry. There is also a fantastic discourse on haikus and analysis of their form and style. The onlook of a Japanese contemporary writer on occidental influences is also an highlight of the work. Its essence remains the pure poetry of the scenes captured (the walk on the path, the color of the food, death, etc.)