Chapter 2 Aomori

I lived in Aomori for four years.At that time, it was to study in Aomori Junior High School.During this period, he has been taken care of by his relative Toyota.Toyoda opened a kimono shop in Temple Street.The "father" in the family who has passed away enthusiastically helped me and encouraged me in everything.And I also love to act like a baby to "Daddy". "Papa" is a good man.It's a shame he's gone when I've been doing stupid things and accomplishing nothing great.I used to think that if he lives another five or ten years, I will more or less perform at work to make him happy.Looking back now, only the goodness of "father" emerges in my heart, and I can't help feeling regretful.When I was in middle school, as long as I got a little good grades, my dad would be happier than anyone else.

When I was in the second year of junior high school, the small flower shop in Temple Street hung five or six western paintings for decoration.In my pure thinking, I still admire them a little.So, I bought one of the paintings for two yuan. "This painting will be very valuable soon," I boasted, and gave the painting to Toyota's "father".After the old man saw it, he laughed.Today, that painting is still in Toyota's home.Even if it is sold at a price of one hundred yuan now, it is too cheap.After all, it was the early masterpiece of Tokata Shiko (1903-1975) (Note 1).

In Tokyo, I occasionally see Mr. Munakata Shiko (1903-1975).He walks in such a bright way that I always pretend not to see him.However, Zhigong's paintings at that time were very outstanding.This past event is almost twenty years ago.I was thinking that it would be nice if the price of the Toyoda painting would go up even more. (Originally published in Volume 3, Issue 1 of the monthly magazine "Dongao" on January 11, Showa 16th year (1941)) Note 1: (Annotation) Munakata Shiko (1903-1975), a printmaker during the Taisho and Showa periods.From Aomori Prefecture.At first, he aspired to learn western painting, and he taught himself while working.Later, I saw the prints of Sumio Kawakami (1895-1972), and was moved by him.In the third year of the Showa era (1928), after getting to know Unichi Hiratsuka (1895-1997), he turned to making woodblock prints, and called his own woodblock prints "prints".Showa Thirty Years (1955), won the highest award at the Sao Paulo International Art Biennale in Brazil.The next year, he won the International Printmaking Award at the Venice International Biennale.Its original style of painting has attracted international attention.Showa forty-five years (1970), awarded the Cultural Medal.Works include "Two Bodhisattvas and Ten Disciples of Sakyamuni" and so on.

Translated from: Dazai Osamu, "Aomori", Token's work, "The Complete Works of Dazai Osamu Ten" (Tokyo: Chikuma Shobo, 1989), pp. 298, 299.