Chapter 14 third quarter

Riichi Shimamura felt an unusually active character in this innocent girl.This feeling gave him the idea of ​​inviting her to a nearby café for a chat. After Shimamura's invitation, the girl followed without hesitation. Shimamura hated cafes with lots of waitresses.Recently, there are fewer and fewer teahouses serving customers with delicious coffee, while more and more cafes are dedicated to attracting customers with the atmosphere, broadcasting music, and beautiful waitresses. Shimamura believes that this is the degeneration of cafes. "This shop is not very clean." Shimamura said to her, "But the coffee is very good."

"Really? I really want to see it. Does Shimamura-kun come to Ginza often?" "Because of working in a newspaper office, the Yurakucho and Ginza areas come and go as often as home." Nagan Coffee Shop is not in Ginza but behind the Yurakucho Japanese Theater. Although it was the first time that she was traveling with Shimamura, she was not restrained.The girl is about eighteen or nine years old.Shimamura felt a little embarrassed to walk with such a young girl.His thoughts have always surpassed his own age, but at this moment he has a vague sense of a girl's protector.The girl also seemed to be aware of this, and followed behind generously.

When they came near the Japanese theater, acquaintances from the newspaper office who greeted Shimamura frequently appeared on the road, and they all took a sharp look at the girl beside Shimamura. "Shimamura-kun, was this from your newspaper just now?" "yes." "What about the one just now?" "It's from another newspaper." Shimamura began to answer in simplified Chinese.The age gap and the generosity of the girl changed his language. They climbed up the narrow and steep stairs that resembled a fire escape next to the fruit shop, and finally came to the cafe.This second-floor building is shorter than ordinary buildings, with low ceilings, a small area, and poor sanitation.

There were only three male customers across the counter.The way it works here is that the owner pours the coffee from the coffee pot and the customer brings it to the table.Needless to say, not a single waitress. Guests with different hobbies gathered around the small table, some smoked, some drank coffee, and chatted with each other at the same time. Shimamura knew all these guests.Some of the guests looked at them curiously as he brought a young woman. "This is a place where journalists often come." He explained, "That's it, people who are free come here to occupy a space. It's dirty, but the coffee is delicious."

Shimamura had just returned from the counter to the table with two cups of coffee in his hand. "thanks." "Here, try it." "It's really good!" The girl took a sip and looked at Shimamura's face, "It's very delicious!" In this store, which is so simple and desolate, her red suit adds dazzling brilliance to the dark tones of the whole store. Shimamura began to observe her carefully while smoking his cigarette.His hair was cut very short, and the back hair was unmodified and stretched straight, like a man's hairstyle. His face was not a round duck-egg shape, with slightly protruding cheekbones and a pointed chin, which made people feel a little crooked.Although the eyes are large, their eye sockets are deep-set, and the lips also appear horizontally elongated.The thin bridge of the nose is high and raised.In short, although she is not a beauty, she looks full of personality. If she applies makeup skillfully and a little make-up, she will not look like a Japanese.

Among these features, the most prominent is her gaze.When Shimamura saw her at the reception of the party, he had already felt this in an instant.Whether she looked forward or left and right, the crystals in her eyes shone with light. There was a faint blue gleam in the white of her eyes, almost like the eyes of a child. Shimamura seemed to have seen such a pair of clear, shining eyes somewhere before. "Why are you looking at me like that?" She held the coffee cup sideways and asked with wide eyes, black pupils and blue sclera shining brightly. "Is my face weird?"

She said and put the coffee cup on the table. "Prominent cheekbones, and an adze head. Look!" After speaking, he used his fingers to part the front hair. "yes." "So I always let the front hair down and cover it up." "What a fitting hairstyle!" "This is the simplest common sense!" Listening to the girl's words, Shimamura realized that she seldom had decorations on her body, and the suits were made of cheap materials.As for the face, to put it nicely, it is the natural type that is popular in modern times, but to put it bluntly, it is too bad to dress up.However, under the red of the suit, there is a bright and bright style, so it doesn't make people feel poor.

"I haven't asked your name yet." 'Sorry, my name is Yuriko Morisawa. " She gave a small salute after saying her name. "You are from?" "Obihiro in Hokkaido." "Oh!" Shimamura suddenly realized. He finally remembered that he had seen such bright and big swollen eyes in Hokkaido with the slender corners of his eyes shining with blue light. Once, Shimamura came to the Asahikawa branch of Beikaijin, and the branch staff took him to visit the Ainu tribe in the suburbs in a car.It is said to be a tribe, but it is actually a specially built tourist facility.There are Ainu huts and dances performed by people dressed as Ainu.He didn't notice anything at the time, but on the return bus, the man from the branch office looked at the faces of children and women on the road, and pointed out to him one by one, which one had Ainu blood.When asked about its characteristics, the answer is that the eyes are particularly beautiful.Their slender eyes, shining like glass, with slightly sunken eye sockets, left Shimamura with an exotic impression.

Morisawa Yuriko's eyes are exactly the same as theirs.Just now he heard her say that she was born in Obihiro, Hokkaido, so he thought to himself, this woman also has mixed Ainu blood. "Do you go to school in Hokkaido?" Shimamura asked. "Yes. Elementary school, junior high school, and high school are all in Obihiro, which is a true 'Hokkaido'. Only junior college is in Tokyo." Morisawa Yuriko answered readily. "So, the family moved to Tokyo?" "No, my mother is still running a grocery store in Obihiro, and my elder brother and younger brother stay in my hometown. My uncle's family is in Tokyo, and he is an official of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. He asked me to come to Tokyo, so I lived in my uncle's house for junior high school. until graduation."

From the plain attire of this girl, it can be imagined that although her uncle is an official of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, he is probably not a high-ranking official. "How long has it been since you graduated from junior college?" "I just graduated last year. Now I'm working as a clerk in a department store. It's a food counter in the basement." In a place like a department store, the details of how to deploy salespersons are unknown.I heard that girls who are not good-looking often can't go to the conspicuous counter.If this is true, it is not difficult to understand that Morisawa Yuriko was assigned to the underground counter where there is no sunlight.

Her crooked face with only her eyes shining strangely, no matter how you look at it, it does not belong to the category of beauty and beauty. "However, at this food counter, there are often products from Hokkaido such as salmon, willow fish, and salted salmon roe. I feel very friendly." "That's right!" "Has Shimamura-kun been to Hokkaido?" "I've only been there twice... But, I only know Sapporo and Asahikawa." "Next time you go to Hokkaido, please come to Obihiro, which is very close to Asahikawa. Obihiro is a good place, located in the middle of the plain, with the Tokachi River flowing by, and the streets are neatly arranged like a chessboard. Opposite the vast plain, The Daxue Mountain towers so high that people from Tokyo and other places feel like they are in another world, which is very refreshing!" "Hearing you say that, I really want to go." "I would like to be your guide. I grew up in that area, and I know everything well." "What year did your father die?" "Nine years ago." "What a pity!" "However, we are left with a pretty good grocery store, so we still have something to rely on for life." "Is your mother from Hokkaido?" "Yes, and my father is from the mainland, from Yamagata Prefecture." When Dao Cun heard that Shan Lizi's mother was from Hokkaido, he felt as if he had heard her secret, and it was inconvenient to ask about other things. "Do you like ink painting?" Shimamura changed the subject. "Yes, I like painting ink paintings." "The kind of ink painting you are talking about, is Mr. Takimura's avant-garde ink painting?" "Yes, but I often feel that it is too novel and somewhat incomprehensible." "Did you paint that kind of painting without a fixed form from the beginning?" "It's just imitating painting from time to time." Morisawa Yuriko smiled slightly. "However, even I don't quite understand it myself. It may be a little overpowering to say this, but I still think it's better to have a little bit of painting." Kazuko Takimura does not pay attention to sketches that trace objects at all. Her paintings are exactly the same as abstract works of Western paintings. "What is it about this kind of painting that attracts you?" "This question is difficult to answer, I don't know very well. However, I feel very charming about painting with ink without paint." "You mean, just have a certain form?" "Yes, although I still don't quite understand it... I may be reprimanded by Mr. Takimura." "It doesn't matter, you are not Takimura-kun's disciple." "However, I often invite her to look at my paintings, so she is still a gentleman!" "Then, what did Takimura-kun say after seeing your painting?" "She said it would be better if it wasn't bound by form." "Form... so how many realistic paintings do you draw?" "Although I don't think so, Mr. Takimura said that we must break away from the ancient concept of ink painting." "So, wouldn't it be better for you to develop towards Hisai Fumiko-kun's ink art school? Her paintings are more or less concrete in the eyes of Takimura-kun." "Yes." Yuriko Morisawa said with her head lowered, "But, Mr. Hisai's paintings are not quite in line with my ideas... Ouch, isn't it too self-indulgent to say so?" "It's okay. Say what you want!" "Mr. Jiujing's works are much more novel than the traditional ink paintings. But, how should I put it... I think there is more than gorgeousness, but not enough truth." "Ok." Shimamura suddenly felt that this Yuriko Morisawa might have the same idea as himself.Although the words are naive and the ideas are not yet formed, she really wants to get that kind of art, emotionally rather than theoretically. "Shimamura-kun is also good at ink painting, right?" This time Yuriko looked at him from the front with sparkling eyes and asked a question. "Where, I don't understand that kind of thing." "Nonsense... I saw Shimamura-kun's signature on the attendance book, and I always found it very attractive." "Where, I can't." Shimamura said.He likes the copybooks selected from ancient Chinese calligraphy, and in the process of copying, he naturally formed his own style. Everyone laughed at his strange handwriting, but Yuriko was the only one who appreciated it.Even among calligraphy lovers, there is no one who is as interested in Shimamura's Yu as Yuriko.That was not Shimamura's font, but an ancient Chinese font.This point, the girl who is committed to ink painting has noticed. "So, I inquired about it afterwards. I was told that Shimamura-kun admires Fumiko Hisai very much. That's why Hisai-kun has achieved today's success." It seemed that someone had revealed these things to her. "This is purely a rumor. The evidence is that I wrote nothing about Hisai-kun's ink art. It's exactly the same with Takimura-kun. I went to that party today, and Takimura-kun complained about me." "I don't know about Takimura-kun's situation, but people say that Hisai-kun is valued by society because of your relationship." "This is exaggerated, it is her own efforts." Shimamura thought, if Yuriko Morisawa was asked to draw an ink painting, what would she draw?An idea involuntarily came to his mind. "How about it, can you show me your painting?" "oops!" Yuriko looked a little embarrassed and blushed. "I'm not good at painting, and none of them can be sold." "Usual painting is fine." Shimamura said. "I want to see your unfinished paintings. It doesn't involve the quality of the paintings. What I want to see is your quality. You can also talk about talent." "If you say that, I can't show it to you." "Just now I said that Fumiko Jiujing's position today has nothing to do with me. Well, let me correct it now. To be honest, there are many factors that have contributed to the recognition of Fumiko Jiujing's ink art in society, one of which is my hard work. Proud of that." "what!" "Of course that's not my personal strength. As you know, I work in the academic department of the newspaper. So, with this organizational background, that is, because I work in the highest organ of reporting in the newspaper, I use this Conditions introduced Hisui-kun to the society. Also, I am a reporter of the Academic Department in charge of art, that is, an academic reporter." Yuriko looked at Shimamura, her shining eyes widening. "Thus, although I am a layman about ink painting, I feel that I know more than a layman because I often go to exhibitions. Sometimes I have the courage to write some comments." "Oh!" "Therefore, I really want to see your paintings. Don't want avant-garde ink paintings. I hope you can draw new types of ink paintings that are almost concrete." "..." "However, it's fine to draw according to your own ideas. It's not good to draw after something like a picture post." "yes." "Because I want to see your quality, I can't simply imitate other people's ink paintings. Do you know?" "Understood. But..." Yuriko still hesitated, "I always feel ashamed and afraid to show you such things." "I hope you draw calmly. After seeing your paintings, I will never say anything about greatness or good quality. If you are really keen on new ink paintings, I can give you some ideas." That's not what Shimamura really thinks.As if a floating cloud suddenly floated in the blue sky, an idea appeared in his mind: If Yuriko's painting fits his vision, he will vigorously support her. A small piece of cloud floating in the clear sky covered the blue sky in a blink of an eye and turned into billowing dark clouds.Then, the cold wind blew hard, the torrential rain fell, and the water smoke was overwhelming.All of a sudden, there was a vast ocean on the earth, and the flood was like a river.All kinds of clods, ruts, and order on the dry land have been washed away without a trace-this is the fantasy that emerged in Shimamura's mind. "Ah, I'm staying here for a long time!" Shimamura stood up, "When you finish the homework I assigned, go to the newspaper office and give me a call!" Shimamura handed over the card. "I like to sleep late. I go to work late in the morning, and eat out for an hour at noon. Therefore, I am usually in the office between one and five in the afternoon." "understood." Yuriko nodded.There was a look of determination in his eyes. Shimamura sees it, and firmly believes that the girl will do what she says. Shimamura paid his respects to the journalists who were still sitting around other tables, and went downstairs.Everyone looked at his back curiously. On the bustling streets of Yurakucho, Shimamura said goodbye to Yuriko. "Thank you so much." She saluted respectfully, and continued: "What Shimamura-kun said just now gave me courage." "Really? I think you are a man of high spirits. Well, I'll wait for your letter." Although Shimamura was aware that Yuriko would be looking at him from behind, he didn't look back once, he didn't have to look back.He was sure that girl would appear in front of him again. Shimamura has lost interest in commenting on recent avant-garde ink paintings.This was not the case in the previous period.He was fascinated by this new art that boldly betrayed the old tradition.Their deliberate pursuit of novelty, depression and enthusiasm deeply touched his heart. However, the recent so-called avant-garde ink paintings have obviously lost their original enthusiasm.Once upon a time, the creative spirit disappeared, while the tendency to blindly pursue specific painting methods was greatly strengthened.Shimamura thought so. Ink painting was introduced to Japan from China at the end of the Kamakura period.In China, ink painting began in the Tang Dynasty and flourished as an art of the upper intellectual class thanks to the appearance of painters such as Wang Wei and Wang Mo.In the Southern Song Dynasty, famous artists such as Mu Huo and Liang Kai appeared, reaching their heyday.Although this art originated in the Tang Dynasty, its prevalent period was from the mid-Tang Dynasty when culture and art flourished to the late Tang Dynasty when foreigners invaded and people's hearts were turbulent.It is said that this was because people were tired of the bright and gorgeous things at that time, so they were attracted by ink paintings with profound meaning and elegant pictures. At that time, most of the ink painters were Zen monks.When it was introduced to Japan, it was also inherited by Zen monks.In the past, Japanese painting was a color-focused work centered on scrolls. Most painters paid attention to the set of body drawing methods and color blending skills passed down to them by their masters, that is, the skills of craftsmen.In contrast, ink painting pays more attention to the artistic conception of the painting.Therefore, Zen monks, who were regarded as cultural class and thinkers at that time, were naturally happy to do this. After entering the Muromachi period, the fourth shogun Ashikaga Yoshichi himself also loved ink painting, so he became a patron of this art.The genius painter of this period was Sesshu. In the Edo period, the masters of ink painting should be the first to recommend Chi Daya and Urakami Yudo.They are not only outstanding painters, but also literati and scholars. The above is the general situation of traditional ink wash art, and the modern ink wash art of Sugio Renyang and others, which is popular recently, maintains a close relationship with a school of avant-garde calligraphy on the one hand, and absorbs the characteristics of European and American abstract paintings on the other hand. developed on.This school denies the cultured side of traditional ink painting, and emphasizes the emotional side.Of course, there are many schools of modern ink painting. Among them, the avant-garde ink painting of Kazuko Takimura mainly uses the thickness of ink to express the same composition as abstract oil painting, while Fumiko Hisai's ink art school retains more realistic aspects. .Shimamura believes that the enthusiasm of the modern ink art school is commendable when they announce the rejection of the old painting world and the re-creation of modern ink art. However, the original rebellious spirit is now fading away. This transformation began after the avant-garde ink painting was recognized by the press and propaganda circles.When they started to oppose traditional ink painting, they were treated coldly in society.The incident only heightened their intense self-awareness. But today, in a sense, they have become the darlings of news reports.Their original spirit has slackened, their old enthusiasm has been transferred to the minutiae of skill.In this way, the class spirit of the pioneering period of avant-garde ink painting was bound by the order created by them, and declined in it.The more avant-garde ink painting flourished, the more it degenerated into a cookie-cutter formula.This formulaicity gave them only the vanity of the avant-garde, but the substance was no different from the pedantry they attacked.It's really ironic. ——Shimamura believes that in the near future, the elegant statues of Fumiko Hisai and Kazuko Takimura will fall apart.From that day on, Shimamura began to collect information from the bookstores he frequented that sold old picture posts.He is accumulating nutrients for cultivating a newcomer.