Chitose (Shodensha Bunko)

[Machine Translation] In the 5th year of Meiji (1872), Kyoto is in the midst of the excitement of an exposition. Chitose, a young girl suffering from smallpox and fearing blindness, is practicing the shamisen (a three-stringed Japanese instrument) on the Kamo River. Guided by Fujinosuke, the heir to a jinrikisha (jinrikisha shop), who approaches Chitose with his simple musical compositions, Chitose travels around the city of Kyoto. She tries her best to burn the scenery and the people of the city into her fading vision. The sound of the shamisen, which she plays with all her heart, eventually takes on a new light... This moving work depicts the wavering heart of a young girl with delicate brushstrokes. Winner of the 3rd Kyoto Literature Award (junior high and high school student division).

明治五年、博覧会の開催に沸く京。天然痘にかかり失明の不安を抱えた少女ちとせは、鴨川で三味線の稽古をしていた。素朴な調べに声をかけてきた俥屋の跡取り藤之助に導かれ、ちとせは京の町をめぐる。失われてゆく視界の中で懸命に焼き付ける、折々の風景と都の人々。一心に弾く三味の音は、やがて新たな光を宿し...。揺れ動く少女の心を繊細な筆致で描く感動作。第三回京都文学賞〈中高生部門〉受賞作。