The Briefcase Paperback – April 10, 2012

From the opening page of this simply narrated story, author Hiromi Kawakami establishes characters who, in their disarming complexity and iconoclastic behavior, shatter the expectations that many western readers of Japanese novels may have come to expect. Tsukiko Omachi, the thirty-eight-year-old narrator of this novel, describes her meeting with Mr. Harutsuna Matsumoto at a crowded bar after she finishes work. Tsukiko, an aggressive businesswoman, is drinking alone, and the man she meets is not a contemporary trying to pick her up. Accustomed to living her life without interference from anyone else, and not looking for a relationship, she nevertheless joins Matsumoto for dinner. About thirty years older than Tsukiko, Matsumoto taught one of her high school classes years ago, but though he remembers both her first and last names, she remembers him only as "Sensei." She did not enjoy his class, was not a good student, and has no residual affection for him.Five bottles of sake later, however, she sees him somewhat differently. They have a similar tastes in food, and a similar rhythm, or temperament, and despite the age difference, she feels much more comfortable with him than with friends her own age. They continue to meet at the bar occasionally after that, always by chance, and on occasion they go to his house afterward, though he remains formal. Divorced for fifteen years, Sensei lives in clutter, with mementoes of his past piled up everywhere - including a collection of "railway teapots," used on trains in the 1950s and 1960s, and a large collection of dead batteries which he says he cannot throw away because he "feels [symbolic] pity" for them: "I can't throw them away [at] the moment they die," he remarks. "These batteries have illuminated my lights, signaled my sounds, and run my motors."Sometimes months pass without Tsukiko and Sensei seeing each other. She sees other people but finds men her own age shallow and uninteresting. Sensei continues the same lonely life he has lived for years. As the seasons change over the course of two years, the relationship changes, not just for Tsukiko but for the reader, too, as the author, with great care, introduces minute changes in their thoughts and behavior. Almost imperceptibly, the two begin to share a bit, though they remain determinedly independent, with neither giving up personal autonomy. Eventually, thanks to the author's careful introduction of thoughtful detail, the two find themselves at a kind of "middle place, perhaps a borderline" in the relationship, or perhaps not.Though some readers may become frustrated by the excruciatingly slow pace of the relationship, with long months often elapsing between key events, the author's ability to show the minute changes which occur between these two strong and independent people will delight lovers of precise writing and careful development. Sometimes Kawakami accomplishes this magic through her use of obvious symbols, sometimes through quiet observations made by her characters themselves, and sometimes through such precise descriptions of a character's behavior that the reader fills in the blanks and draws his/her own conclusions. The writing is clean - pristine, even - with every word, every event, and every psychological nuance presented clearly. Rarely have I seen a novel of such psychological acuity, and the emotions it evokes, especially toward the character of Sensei, are strong and empathetic. Inspiring in its honesty and integrity, The Briefcase, a major prizewinner in Japan, is already on its way to becoming a literary classic.

"The Briefcase" by Hiromi Kawakami. I discovered this contemporary Japanese writer through one of her haiku poems. On an app, of all places. The poem was so good that I looked up her novels and chose this one, the unlikely story of a romance between Tsukiko, a 38-year-old office worker, and her high school Japanese literature teacher, whom she still calls Sensei. The two meet in a neighborhood bar and strike up a friendship over food and drink. Eventually they graduate to parks, outdoor markets and museums, but the relationship progresses at a maddeningly slow pace due to their mutual passivity and fear. Kawakami writes beautifully, as most poets do, but for much of the book I was annoyed at the lack of action and unconvinced that a 38-year-old would fall madly love with a man in his 70's, particularly one who had never impressed her as a teacher. (The feeling was mutual: she wasn't much of a student.) Love prevails, however, and the ending--which takes place well after their two-year courtship--is so moving it had me in tears. Well two tears, but still! An added bonus for me were the subtle echos of "Kokoro," my favorite novel by Natsume Soseki. Although the Sensei of "Kokoro" is a much more charismatic figure, both novels are about students who befriend and become fascinated by their former teachers. In a country where teachers are venerated, it's a powerful theme.

Thirty-eight-year-old Tsukiko Omachi and Harutsuna Makumoto, thirty years her senior, meet in a train station bar. Makumoto was her Japanese teacher in high school. Their relationship evolves slowly from chance meetings to dates to a tentative intimacy.He is very proper, donnishly witty, and impeccably dressed, always carrying a briefcase. She is childish and outspoken, her clothes somewhat thrown together. She reminds him he's old, he reminds her of her poor grades in school.Their comfort with each other ripens into love, and following the progress of their offbeat love story is a delight. The writing is filled with subtleties, oddities, and little ironies. The dialog feels especially fresh and real.I didn't care for the one dream sequence, but this chapter is clearly labeled "Dream," so at least there's no confusion about it. You can even skim through it if so inclined.This delicate romance is heartily fueled by sake, beer, and mouth-watering meals and snacks. We get an interesting look at the neighborhood bar scene in Japan and the lonely lives of unconventional singles.All in all, a wonderful novel!

I really enjoyed this book. As with all the books by Japenese authors that I've read till date, it gave me a warm, mellow feeling. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the unconventional friendship between Sensei and Tsukiko, two lonely people in the busy city of Tokyo which developed into what I thought was a very ordinary (in a good way) romantic relationship. I enjoyed the fact that there was no significant incident that led to this and that it didn't stem as a result of drama. Neither was it portrayed as a cliched passionate, fireworks-worthy romance. It was simple, humble and ordinary. I'd recommend it as a comfort read for the holidays when you can put on some festive socks and sip a cup of green tea in bed as you comb through the pages.

A gorgeously delicate little book which traces the development of a May-December romance over the course of several years. Descriptions of food mark the passage of the seasons, creating a strong framework to place interpersonal relationships within. Kawakami's precise treatment of a protagonist who resists introspection seems almost painfully real, and the strange, dreamlike quality of the ending only enhances the beauty of the piece.Absolutely worth reading for any student of contemporary Japanese literature.

there is a problem with this order-it is the same novet as 'strange weather in Tokyo ' published with a different title

Novela romántica de un amor al estilo Japonés, diferente al que estamos acostumbrados en America. Fácil de leer, buena y entretenida. A mi me gusto.

Libro que ya había leido en versión castellana y que deseaba regalar a una amiga que no domina esta lengua y en cambio domina el inglés. Es una bella historia de amor tratada de manera muy delicada. Lectura recomendable.