A piece of snow

Author: [Japan] Watanabe Junichi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1999-01-01
Features: I have always advocated that Mr. Watanabe pioneered a new realm of modern romanticism and aestheticism. His most brilliant achievement is undoubtedly A Single Snow. It should be said that this work is one of Mr. Watanabe's representative pieces. First, I would like to point out that this work possesses a solid formal beauty. The love space between Ito and Kageyuki evolves according to an extremely strict Japanese model. Here, a world of romanticism unfolds. I chose the term "romanticism" instead of "illicit affair" because I dislike the latter. Artists like Chikao Inoue and Oku Sadayoshi were also deeply immersed in this, creating renowned works. In these works, Mr. Watanabe undoubtedly sought to vividly describe the splendor and richness of the romantic world. To portray the in-depth development of romanticism from beginning to end with full detail, a stable model is indispensable. Mr. Watanabe firmly believed that no love could be eternal and would inevitably lead to boredom. Mr. Watanabe's concept of love is one that deepens through physical contact. Compared to the spiritual, physical union holds precedence. This work is written from the perspective of Ito, a man. This is nothing more than the author's intention to perfectly portray the woman Kageyuki. For Ito, Kageyuki represents the absolute superiority of beauty. Similarly, for the author himself, only Kageyuki embodies the absolute superiority of beauty. This forms an intimate relationship. With the full liberation of sexual instincts, the inner beauty of Kageyuki undergoes an enchanting transformation. The duration of time depicted in this work spans one year. Ito and Kageyuki first meet and engage in physical relations on a winter day. As spring deepens, Kageyuki's sexual instincts gradually awaken. In early summer in Kyoto, Kageyuki's sexual instincts have entered a state of delirium. In late autumn, Ito's relationship with Shoko, a young woman he has been with for four years, breaks down. By deep autumn, in the labor protection camps of Arnhem and Vienna, Kageyuki's sexual instincts have reached their peak, like "a column of fire," achieving full liberation. As winter arrives, Shoko departs from Ito. Thus, just as snowflakes "fall, one by one," a romance reaches its conclusion.