Tokyo Express

Points and Lines was written in 1958 by Seicho  Matsumoto and it was originally translated into English in 1970. A new translation by Jesse Kirkwood was released in 2022 with the title Tokyo Express. This novel is celebrated around the world as Seichō Matsumoto’s masterpiece. 

The publisher's summary:

In a rocky cove at Hakata Bay, the bodies of a young and beautiful couple are discovered. Standing on the cold beach, the police see nothing to investigate: The flush of the couple’s cheeks and the empty juice bottle speak clearly of cyanide, of a lovers’ suicide. But in the eyes of two men, senior detective Torigai Jutaro and Kiichi Mihara, a young gun from Tokyo, something is not quite right. Together, they begin to pick at the knot of a unique and calculated crime.

For a novel written almost 70 years ago it's amazing that it reads like a modern day mystery. I loved it. The key to this mystery are the timetables for the trains that traverse Japan. I didn't understand the clues related to the timetables until the very end. The times that trains left and arrived at various stations were reviewed extensively by the investigators. There is alot of internal musings by Mihara that show us his train of thought. I believe the story would have been better if there was less of that and more action. 

It was odd that Torigae Jutaro and Kiichi Mihara's boss allowed them to continue investigating the so-called suicide of a man and woman after he closed the case. The deceased are waitress Toki and Sayama, a possible witness in a corruption scandal. A businessman by the name of Tatsuo Yasuda becomes an early suspect by the police but they do not have any evidence against him. Jutaro and Mihara do not consider anyone else as a possible suspect. A key piece of the evidence, though, is that Yasuda brought two waitresses with him to a platform at Tokyo Station so that they could see their co-worker Toki traveling with an unknown man. Yasuda knew these waitresses well. They served him at a restaurant that he frequented. The next morning both Toki and Sayama's bodies are found lying together on Kashii Beach.

We don't know much about the characters. The author does not delve into their lives nor does he use forensics. The book was written in 1958 before forensics became popular. The book is an intellectual mystery that focuses on the timetables and train stations. It was frustrating at times because I couldn't figure out any of the clues. The ending, though, was satisfying 

4 out of 5 stars.

Klara and the Sun

There has been alot of excitement recently about Kazuo Ishiguro's newest novel Klara and the Sun. It received rave reviews and has been adapted into a movie. Sony Pictures will release the film on October 23, 2026. I always prefer to read a book before seeing the movie so I picked up a copy of it. The novel is fantastic.

The publisher's summary:

Here is the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend with outstanding observational qualities, who, from her place in the store, watches carefully the behavior of those who come in to browse, and of those who pass on the street outside. She remains hopeful that a customer will soon choose her, but when the possibility emerges that her circumstances may change forever, Klara is warned not to invest too much in the promises of humans. 

The story takes place in a future, dystopian U.S where children are genetically altered for academic advantages. Klara is a robot that runs on solar power as do all Artificial Friend (AF) creatures. Klara's manager placed her in the store's window for two weeks. Klara was able to recharge quicker as she was exposed to more of the sun. More importantly, a young girl saw her in the window. Josie visited Klara a few times while she was with her mother. Her mother wasn't sure how well Klara would fit in inside their home. A few weeks passed before Josie was able to return and buy Klara.

Klara and Josie got along well. However, Melania Housekeeper was curt towards Klara. Klara soon learns that Josie has an illness and when she feels bad Josie can also treat Klara poorly. I was amused that the housekeeper's name was Melania. 

I enjoyed reading the story from Klara's perspective. The author did a good job of interpreting how a robot adds information into its memory. Klara's method of reasoning was also fascinating. It all happened fast for Klara and she was able to change her responses to Josie according to Josie's moods. 

The novel is not really about artificial intelligence though. I think the author is comparing the abilities of humans versus robots to add information to their memory and also to show emotion. Note that Klara behaves better than any of the human characters in this novel. 

I loved this compelling story. Before reading the book friends told me that I would cry at the ending. I didn't cry but certainly felt some emotion. Klara and the Sun is simply an outstanding read. 5 out of 5 stars.

Matcha on Monday

Matcha on Monday is a collection of Japanese short stories. It was published in English on July 7, 2026. These snippets of Japanese life are not like American short stories where there is a mystery to solve. There is no whodunnit, howdunnit, or whydunnit in them. Rather, the process the characters go through to becoming more whole is the point. These stories are interconnected and one character will reappear in another. There is one story for each month of the year. Matcha on Monday is the second book in the Marble Café series.

The publisher summarizes the book: 

Across a bridge in a quiet neighborhood in Tokyo, a charming little matcha café – open only on Mondays – offers a beacon of light and healing to all who pass through its doors. All throughout the week, customers flock to the Marble Café that’s tucked away behind the trees – except when it’s closed on Mondays, when the Matcha Café opens in its place, offering its clientele a warm cup of matcha and restoration to start the busy week ahead. On this one day of the week, people from all walks of life frequent this cozy haven and experience the joys of human connection. Among them include: a singer who has just broken up with his lover, an unsociable young owner of a tea wholesaler, a husband who has made his wife angry, a designer and owner of a lingerie shop and a Kamishibai artist who doesn't get along with his grandmother. This heart-warming story takes place in Tokyo and Kyoto over twelve months, bringing together a community of untold unfolding lives – all starting with a cup of matcha.

The first story is Matcha on Monday where the Marble Café hosts a one time matcha event on the day they are normally closed. As a matcha lover, it is my favorite. A woman who is having a bad day is a regular customer. However, she ends up at the cafe by mistake on a Monday and is asked whether she wants her tea thin or thick. Not knowing what that means she rationalizes that thicker is better so she orders it. It was awful. She is then informed that it would go down better if she had a bite if the accompaning sweet. It tasted much better. Her bad day continues but she meets a man who will later become her husband.

Another favorite is Sparrows in Early Spring. The main character is a seamstress who opens a lingerie shop upon finishing fashion school. I thought it was unique for her to select lingerie as the focus for her shop, Peep Bird. As a seamstress myself, I learned what fabrics and thread worked best for constructing lingerie. I loved reading about her stitching the under garments. The guitarist/customer will appear in another story where she recounts shopping here.

I enjoyed the easygoing, cozy atmosphere of the stories. While the book is light reading, each story is character-driven and something profound happens to their way of thinking about themselves. They are each approximately 8 pages long. I also think the book cover is magnificent. It's the reason I picked up the book in my local bookshop. Having read similar Japanese books I knew it would be a relaxing read, which it was.

5 out of 5 stars.

We'll Prescribe You Another Cat

This book is the sequel to We'll Prescribe You a Cat. These books offer four short fantasy stories about people in emotional pain. They find a mental health clinic while out walking around and step inside to ask questions. At the entrance to the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul in Kyoto they meet an irritable nurse who states the doctor had a cancelation and can see them immediately. After telling the doctor what's bothering them they are prescribed a cat to take home for ten days. 

The publisher's summary:

Though it’s a mysteriously located clinic with an uncertain address, it can always be found by those who need it. And the clinic has proven time after time that a prescribed cat has the power to heal the emotional wounds of its patients. This charming sequel introduces a new lovable cast of healing cats, from Kotetsu, a four-month-old Bengal who unleashes his boundless energy by demolishing bed linens and curtains, to tenacious and curious Shasha, who doesn’t let her small size stop her from anything, and the most lovable yet lazy cat Ms. Michiko, who is as soft and comforting as mochi.

As characters from one chapter appear as side characters in the next, we follow a young woman who cannot help pushing away the man who loves her, a recently widowed grandfather whose grandson refuses to leave his room, the family of a young woman who struggle to understand each other, and an anxious man who works at a cat shelter seeking to show how the most difficult cats can be the most rewarding. This moving, magical novel of interconnected tales proves the strength in the unfathomable bond between cats and people.

The book is about a Kyoto psychiatrist who prescribes a cat to every patient as a unique form of therapy for people with life problems. The prescription is always for ten days after which the cat must be returned to the doctor. This sequel is a little different as the patients are given cats with special medical needs. Food and litter are dispensed at the clinic along with a log that the patients must fill out every day with their cat's progress. The stories showcase the healing power of animals with a touch of fantasy thrown in for good measure. When the return to the clinic the logs are read by the doctor and he always says the patients did a good job taking care of the animal.

As the summary above states, only people in deep emotional pain can open the door to the clinic and this is where the fantasy comes in. Not everyone can see the alleyway where the business practice is located. Each cat has a litter box issue to be resolved and it is always about their poop mixed in with the litter. Ya'll know what that's like, right?  The real identity of the doctor and nurse are revealed in the last chapter. I was not expecting this surprise but it was a pleasant surprise.

This book was a delightful read, a perfect end to the stressful day I had. If you love cats, you will love it. 5 out of 5 stars.

Shiokari Pass

Shiokari Pass is a moving tale of love eclipsed by sacrifice an tragedy. It is based on a true story. I selected the book for the Japanese Reading Challenge 19 and am so glad that I read it. The main character is Nobuo Nagano. After becoming a Christian he finds himself in a bind. He wants to marry his childhood sweetheart, Fujiko, but the marriage conflicts with his newfound faith. Nobuo knows that he should not be unequally yoked with a nonbeliever. Set in Hokkaido at the turn of the nineteenth century, when for the first time Western culture and ideas were beginning to challenge Japan's long-held traditions, Shiokari Pass takes an intriguing look at Japanese life and thought of a hundred years ago. The book was a bestseller in Japan and a successful motion picture as well. Based on the life of a high-ranking railway employee who was revered for his humanitarian deeds, Shiokari Pass offers a revealing glimpse of the long, hard road traveled by Japanese Christians. It was published in 1968 in Japan.

The story opened when Nobuo Nagano was ten years old and his grandmother Tose was complaining about his mother. Nobuo had been told that she died but that was not true. Tose had thrown her out of the family home for becoming Yaso, a Christian. The Nagano family were ardent Buddhists. Nobuo’s best friend was Yoshikawa and we watched them grow up together and remain friends throughout life. This was unusual because the Nagano family were of the samurai class and Yoshikawa was from a lower social class. When Tose passed away Nobuo’s mother Kiku and her daughter Michiko moved to the Nagano house. Both Kiku and Michiko were Yaso. While his father was not a believer he attended church with them every Sunday. Nobuo, however, refused to go. Nobuo had planned to attend college but because his father died, Nobuo decided to forego higher education and obtained a job with the railroad in order to support Kiku and Michiko. At one rail station Nobuo wandered in to a Sunday School class and the rest, as they say, is history.

I enjoyed reading about Nobuo and Yoshikawa's conversations both as youngsters and as adults. They were philosophical even at a young age and thought through what it meant to be human. It was quite interesting to see two young lads discuss such deep topics and heartwarming to see them remain close friends throughout life. I also enjoyed reading about Nobuo’s conversations with his family concerning Yaso. Nobuo’s objections to Yaso were explained in detail. He compared Yaso against the power of Buddha and how Buddha helped him live life. This was his stumbling block. 

Life in Japan one hundred years ago was fascinating to read about. The country was beginning to change due to the influence of Western culture. The manner in which Nobuo and Yoshikawa sailed through life, bending some Japanese rules, was shown. It was an intriguing time to be alive. Yoshikawa remained a Buddhist. However, almost every person Nobuo encountered worshipped Yaso and it caused him to think deeply about whether Buddha matched Yaso's power to transform people. There is also some romance in the story as Nobuo becomes attracted to a few girls but sets his sights on marrying Yoshikawa's disabled sister Fujiko.

The title of the book comes from the place where Nobuo died. I would like to refrain from any additional spoilers in case one of my blog readers wants to read the book. The ending was certainly dramatic. I think the best word to describe this novel is heartwarming. I loved it and believe you will too. I am rating it 5 out of 5 stars.

We'll Prescribe You a Cat

When I saw this book in my Amazon feed I immediately knew I was going to buy it. The title is not only cute but I believe if doctor's prescribed cats instead of meds, we all would recover from whatever ails us. I knew the story would be good. It was! I loved this novel written in the 1970s in Japan and translated into English in 2024. It has now been translated into seventeen languages.

The publisher's summary:

A cat a day keeps the doctor away…

Discover the award-winning, bestselling Japanese novel that has become an international sensation in this utterly charming, vibrant celebration of the healing power of cats.

Tucked away in an old building at the end of a narrow alley in Kyoto, the Kokoro Clinic for the Soul can only be found by people who are struggling in their lives and genuinely need help. The mysterious clinic offers a unique treatment to those who find their way there: it prescribes cats as medication. Patients are often puzzled by this unconventional prescription, but when they “take” their cat for the recommended duration, they witness profound transformations in their lives, guided by the playful, empathetic, occasionally challenging yet endearing cats.

Throughout the pages, the power of the human-animal bond is revealed as a disheartened businessman finds unexpected joy in physical labor, a young girl navigates the complexities of elementary school cliques, a middle-aged man struggles to stay relevant at work and home, a hardened bag designer seeks emotional balance, and a geisha finds herself unable to move on from the memory of her lost cat. As the clinic’s patients navigate their inner turmoil and seek resolution, their feline companions lead them toward healing, self-discovery, and newfound hope.

The book contains five short stories about a Kyoto psychiatrist who prescribes a cat to every patient as a unique form of therapy for people with life problems. The prescription is always for ten days after which the cat must be returned to the doctor. The stories showcase the healing power of animals with a touch of fantasy thrown in for good measure. As the summary above states, only people in deep emotional pain can open the door to the clinic and this is where the fantasy comes in. Not everyone can see the alleyway where the business practice is located.

Some of the characters are in more than one story but each features a new patient. Every story begins the same with a frazzled employee receiving a referral to a mental health clinic from a friend of a friend of a friend.The clinic is run by Doctor Nikke and Nurse Chitose. And SPOILER, they're cats that have taken human form. Chitose and Nikke were born in a breeding house in terrible conditions and were saved by Dr. Suda of the Suda Animal Hospital. The hospital is located down the same street as the Clinic. Both are in every story. The plot premise for each story are mentioned above and do not need to be repeated.

We'll Prescribe You a Cat is a must read! I cannot recommend it more highly. 5 out of 5 stars.

Japanese Literature Reading Challenge 19

My love affair with Japan has led me to join another reading challenge.  This challenge takes place only in January and February so I need to choose books ASAP. Asako Yuzuki’s Butter was so good that I feel compelled to read more Japanese stories.  Book choices can range from short stories to classics and contemporary fiction. I am going back to Japan in March so a two month challenge fits perfectly within my schedule.

The challenge is hosted by the Dolce Bellezza blog. The challenge sign up post is here.