A short story by Ichiyō Higuchi

“One evening at dusk, a postman dropped off a letter written in a woman’s hand at the front of the shop. Reading it under the lamplight in the room with the brazier, she rolled it up neatly and slipped it into the fold of her sash. Yet as she went about her household tasks, her mind was elsewhere—so distracted and uneasy that her face betrayed her thoughts. Her husband, noticing, said, “What’s the matter with you, dear?” “Oh, it’s nothing in particular,” she replied. “Only, my elder sister in Nakachō seems to be troubled about something. I would go myself, but you know how strict my husband is—he hardly gives me a moment’s freedom! If I go tonight, I’ll make sure someone escorts me back, so would you please ask him to let me step out just for a little while?””

Author : Ichiyō Higuchi
Narrator : Nana Nagao
Produced by：Koé no Shoten
Special Thanks：Shigoto, Inc.
Listening Length：10:01
Release Date：2025/10/9