untitled

Clovis 2022-09-04 01:31:15

When the tram lights at the end swept across the mentally handicapped's hut, the bright colors shone in front of my eyes and in my heart through the splendid paintings in the house, but I seemed to be unable to speak, even to express pity and sadness. This light illuminates a beautiful picture, but it also sweeps away sadness and despair. I don't even know who is sad and who is happy. Maybe you would say that art always exaggerates and magnifies life, but I believe that life is more cruel than art, because the extremes of human nature's good and evil definitely exceed the artist's cognition and even their imagination. Everyone is just a mirror, which reflects the problems of the whole society. People with morals and grief are constantly exploring and verifying the process of human history, and asking God what is the ultimate destiny of human beings. Whether it is a pessimist or an optimist, they all have the same belief: for a better future for mankind. It is because of these lovely people that I still look forward to tomorrow.

View more about Dodes'ka-den reviews

Extended Reading

Dodes'ka-den quotes

  • Kyota Watanaka: Old man, there's something common to all women, No matter how old they are. A middle-aged woman sometimes looks as innocent as a teenage girl. A 16 year-old girl sometimes gives you a look as if she were a 35 year-old woman. Women are really devilish.

  • Suicidal Old Man: [Haltingly, opening up to Mr. Tanba, who patiently listens to him] I'm fed up with everything now... Life is nothing but pain to me. When I get up in the morning and get ready for breakfast... thinking I have to do everything all over again, I just lose my strength. Food doesn't taste good. I lose my appetite.

    Suicidal Old Man: [continues, as Mr. Tanba listens silently] When I go to the public bath, I'm disgusted to see myself in the mirror. Naked, I look really disgusting and filthy. I can't stand myself. At this point... the only thing I want... is to die quickly. I want to disappear from this world.

    Mr. Tanba: [Mr. Tanba gets up and starts rummaging for some items, and prepares a powder which he gives to the man] This powder is used in engraving. It's a very strong poison, not sold to the public. You'll die without pain an hour after taking it. If you really want to die, take it.

    Suicidal Old Man: [the suicidal man eagerly takes the powder and pours all of it in his mouth, then drinks it down with water] Thank you. It's very kind of you. Goodbye.