The Little House tells a story of a Tokyo family during one of the most transformative periods in Japanese history, that is, the time between the 1930s and the end of the Pacific War. The narrator, Taki, is a maid of the Hirai family, whose story she recalls many years after her time of service.
Primarily, the story revolves around the problem of generation gap in Japan. Taki’s memories are continuously read by her nephew, who in a way links Taki with the reader. But Taki is no ordinary maid – she becomes a well-known author of handbooks for housewives. The reader becomes her witness, her editor and her fan as well, a fan curious about what lies beyond the façade of a perfect housewife.
A fascinating read for those interested in Tokyo, the novel features the recollections of the celebration of the 2600th anniversary of the empire, preparations to Tokyo Olympics in 1940 (eventually cancelled), and the more and more frequent mentions of food shortages and bombardments.
The Little House in excellent translation by Ginny Tapley Takamori will warm up your heart. It is nostalgic, a little melancholic – is there anything else one needs to make winter more bearable?
