The Father Hideo Recovers

Strangers (Taichi Yamada Edition)

This flow traces Hideo’s changing picture of his father, from childhood memory through a living-seeming reunion to a final farewell.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

A Father Lost Young A Father Lost Young from "Strangers". A Father Lost Young Hideo’s father dies at thirty-nine in a hit-and-run accident, leaving Hideo with a memory fixed in childhood.

A Father Lost Young from "Strangers". A Father Lost Young Hideo’s father dies at thirty-nine in a hit-and-run accident, leaving Hideo with a memory fixed in childhood.

A Father Lost Young Hideo’s father dies at thirty-nine in a hit-and-run accident, leaving Hideo with a memory fixed in childhood. An Idealized Image Because Hideo has little chance to know his father as an adult, his recollection becomes both precious and incomplete. A Lasting Absence The loss shapes Hideo’s later hunger for protection and his uncertainty about what his father was really like.

The Man at the Hall The Man at the Hall from "Strangers". The Man at the Hall At Asakusa Variety Hall, Hideo hears a man whose voice and profile recall his dead father.

The Man at the Hall At Asakusa Variety Hall, Hideo hears a man whose voice and profile recall his dead father. A Startling Resemblance The man looks too young to be the father Hideo would know today, yet the likeness overwhelms ordinary caution. A Son Follows Hideo follows the stranger home, temporarily allowing resemblance to outrank reason.

An Unvarnished Character An Unvarnished Character from "Strangers". An Unvarnished Character The returned father speaks confidently about sushi work, employers, and his habit of quitting when dissatisfied.

An Unvarnished Character from "Strangers". An Unvarnished Character The returned father speaks confidently about sushi work, employers, and his habit of quitting when dissatisfied.

An Unvarnished Character The returned father speaks confidently about sushi work, employers, and his habit of quitting when dissatisfied. A More Human Memory These flaws differ from Hideo’s idealized recollection of a tough and capable parent. Recognition Through Habit The father’s humor and manner make him feel more real, not less, to the adult son who is listening.

Catch in the Street Catch in the Street from "Strangers". Catch in the Street Hideo and his father play catch near Honganji Temple, recovering a childhood wish that had once been granted only briefly.

Catch in the Street from "Strangers". Catch in the Street Hideo and his father play catch near Honganji Temple, recovering a childhood wish that had once been granted only briefly.

Catch in the Street Hideo and his father play catch near Honganji Temple, recovering a childhood wish that had once been granted only briefly. The Missed Opportunity As a boy, Hideo had wanted to play with a real baseball, but his father had used a rubber ball. A Moment Reclaimed The older Hideo treasures every throw, even as passing cars remind him that this world remains contemporary.

A Father’s Last Blessing A Father’s Last Blessing from "Strangers". A Father’s Last Blessing At the farewell meal, Hideo’s father praises his son and urges him to stop being so hard on himself.

A Father’s Last Blessing from "Strangers". A Father’s Last Blessing At the farewell meal, Hideo’s father praises his son and urges him to stop being so hard on himself.

A Father’s Last Blessing At the farewell meal, Hideo’s father praises his son and urges him to stop being so hard on himself. A Son’s Protest Hideo lists his perceived failures as a husband, father, and writer, unable to accept praise easily. A Final Gift As his father fades, the affirmation remains with Hideo beyond the disappearance.

when Hideo is twelve

August 4, late evening

the first afternoon visit

a later August visit

the final sukiyaki meal