The Beauty and Sadness of Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata (Epub File)
Snow Country By Yasunari Kawabata Epub Download
If you are looking for a classic novel that will transport you to a different time and place, you should consider reading Snow Country by Yasunari Kawabata. This novel is one of the masterpieces of modern Japanese literature, and it has been praised for its lyrical and evocative style. In this article, we will tell you more about the novel and its author, and why you should read it in epub format.
Snow Country By Yasunari Kawabata Epub Download
The Plot of Snow Country
Snow Country is a short novel that tells the story of a doomed love affair between a wealthy Tokyo dilettante named Shimamura and a provincial geisha named Komako. Shimamura visits a hot spring resort in the snow-covered mountains of western Japan, where he meets Komako and becomes fascinated by her beauty and personality. They spend several nights together, but their relationship is complicated by their different backgrounds, expectations, and emotions. Shimamura is married and has children in Tokyo, but he feels bored and restless with his urban life. He is attracted to Komako's passion and innocence, but he also feels detached and indifferent at times. Komako is devoted and loyal to Shimamura, but she also suffers from loneliness and guilt. She has to work as a geisha to pay off her debts and support her sickly friend Yoko, who is in love with a young man named Yukio. Shimamura and Komako try to find happiness in their brief encounters, but they also realize that their love has no future. The novel ends with a tragic and poetic scene, where Shimamura sees Yoko's face reflected in the window of a departing train, and feels a sudden surge of emotion that he never felt for Komako.
The Characters of Snow Country
The novel has a small cast of characters, but each one of them is vividly portrayed and has a significant role in the story. Here are some of the main characters and their relationships:
Shimamura
He is the protagonist and narrator of the novel. He is a wealthy and cultured man who lives in Tokyo, but he has no occupation or purpose. He is interested in Western ballet and literature, but he has never seen a ballet performance or traveled abroad. He is married and has children, but he does not love his wife or care for his family. He visits the snow country several times, where he meets and falls in love with Komako. He is drawn to her vitality and warmth, but he also feels alienated and cynical. He is unable to commit to her or to anyone else, and he remains a passive and detached observer of his own life.
Komako
She is the main female character and the love interest of Shimamura. She is a young and beautiful geisha who works in the hot spring resort. She is lively and cheerful, but she also has a strong sense of duty and responsibility. She became a geisha to pay off the debt of her deceased fiancé, who died of tuberculosis. She also takes care of her friend Yoko, who is also ill with the same disease. She falls in love with Shimamura, and she gives him her whole heart and soul. She is faithful and generous to him, but she also suffers from insecurity and jealousy. She knows that he will eventually leave her, and she tries to make the most of their time together.
Yoko
She is a secondary female character and a friend of Komako. She is a young and frail woman who works as a maid in the hot spring inn. She is kind and gentle, but she also has a tragic fate. She is in love with Yukio, a student who visits the snow country occasionally. However, Yukio is engaged to another woman, and he does not reciprocate Yoko's feelings. Yoko also has tuberculosis, and she knows that she will die soon. She is close to Komako, who treats her like a sister and helps her with her medical expenses. She also meets Shimamura once, and he is impressed by her beauty and grace. She becomes the symbol of the pure and unattainable love that Shimamura never experienced.
Yukio
He is a minor male character and the love interest of Yoko. He is a student who comes from Tokyo, but he has relatives in the snow country. He visits the hot spring resort occasionally, where he meets Yoko and Komako. He is friendly and polite, but he also has a weak and indecisive personality. He is engaged to a woman from his hometown, but he also feels sorry for Yoko, who loves him dearly. He does not have any romantic feelings for Komako, but he accepts her services as a geisha out of courtesy. He becomes the cause of conflict and tension between Yoko and Komako, as well as between Shimamura and Komako.
The Setting of Snow Country
The novel takes place in a remote and isolated region of western Japan, where the winter lasts for more than half of the year. The landscape is covered with snow and ice, creating a contrast between the white scenery and the dark sky. The hot spring resort where Shimamura and Komako meet is located in a valley surrounded by mountains, creating a sense of enclosure and intimacy. The setting reflects the mood and theme of the novel, as it creates a contrast between the urban and rural lifestyles, between the modern and traditional cultures, and between the transient and eternal aspects of life.
The Style of Snow Country
The novel is written in a poetic and impressionistic style that captures the beauty and subtlety of the Japanese language and culture. Kawabata uses short sentences, simple words, vivid images, symbolic motifs, suggestive dialogues, and multiple perspectives to create a rich and complex narrative that appeals to both the senses and the emotions. The novel does not follow a linear or chronological plot structure, but rather it consists of several episodes that are connected by themes and motifs. The novel also does not provide any explicit explanations or interpretations of the characters' actions or feelings, but rather it leaves them open to the reader's imagination.
The Reception and Legacy of Snow Country
Snow Country is one of the most acclaimed and influential novels of modern Japanese literature. It was first published in serial form between 1935 and 1937, and then in a complete version in 1948. It received positive reviews from both critics and readers, who praised its artistic and aesthetic qualities. It also won several literary awards, such as the Kan Kikuchi Prize in 1949 and the Mainichi Art Award in 1950. The novel established Kawabata as one of the leading writers of his generation, and it also contributed to his international recognition and fame.
The Nobel Prize for Literature
In 1968, Kawabata became the first Japanese writer to win the Nobel Prize for Literature, which was a historic and prestigious achievement for him and for his country. In his acceptance speech, he mentioned Snow Country as one of his representative works, along with The Old Capital and Thousand Cranes. He said that these novels expressed his "sense of beauty" and his "spiritual world" that were influenced by the Japanese tradition and culture. He also said that he wanted to convey the "essence of Japan" through his novels, which he described as "beautiful and sad".
The Adaptations of Snow Country
Snow Country has been adapted into various forms of art and media over the years, such as film, theater, and opera. Some of the most notable adaptations are:
The 1957 film directed by Shirō Toyoda, starring Ryo Ikebe as Shimamura and Keiko Kishi as Komako. It was nominated for the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival.
The 1961 film directed by Noboru Nakamura, starring Masayuki Mori as Shimamura and Yoko Tsukasa as Komako. It won the Blue Ribbon Award for Best Film.
The 1978 opera composed by Toshiro Mayuzumi, with a libretto by Edward Seidensticker. It was premiered at the New York City Opera, starring Richard Cassilly as Shimamura and Ashley Putnam as Komako.
The 1981 play written by Yukio Mishima, who was a friend and admirer of Kawabata. It was performed by the Shiki Theatre Company, starring Ken Ogata as Shimamura and Yoshiko Mita as Komako.
The 1991 film directed by Hideo Gosha, starring Ken Ogata as Shimamura and Rie Miyazawa as Komako. It was nominated for the Japan Academy Prize for Best Film.
The Cultural Impact of Snow Country
Snow Country has also had a lasting impact on the cultural and artistic scene of Japan and beyond. Some of the themes and motifs that have resonated with readers and artists from different backgrounds and generations are:
The contrast between the urban and rural lifestyles, between the modern and traditional cultures, and between the transient and eternal aspects of life.
The exploration of the human condition, especially the feelings of loneliness, alienation, love, passion, guilt, regret, and nostalgia.
The appreciation of the beauty and subtlety of nature, especially the snow and its symbolism.
The influence of the Zen Buddhist philosophy and aesthetics, especially the concepts of wabi-sabi (the beauty of imperfection), mono no aware (the awareness of impermanence), and yugen (the mysterious depth).
The representation of the Japanese culture and identity, especially the geisha tradition, the hot spring culture, the folk music and dance, and the regional dialects.
How to Download Snow Country in Epub Format
If you are interested in reading Snow Country in epub format, you will need to follow some simple steps to find and download a suitable file for your e-reader or device. Epub format is a popular and widely used format for e-books that allows you to adjust the text size, font style, page layout, brightness, orientation, etc. according to your preferences. It also preserves the original formatting and layout of the book, such as images, tables, footnotes, etc. Here is how you can download Snow Country in epub format:
The Benefits of Epub Format
Epub format has many advantages over other formats such as pdf or mobi, especially for reading novels like Snow Country. Some of the benefits are:
Epub format is compatible with most e-readers and devices, such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, iPhone, Android, etc. You can also use various apps and software to read epub files on your computer or browser.
Epub format is flexible and customizable, which means you can change the text size, font style, page layout, brightness, orientation, etc. according to your preferences. You can also add bookmarks, highlights, notes, etc. to your epub file.
Epub format preserves the original formatting and layout of the book, such as images, tables, footnotes, etc. You can also zoom in and out of the images and tables without losing quality or clarity.
Epub format is lightweight and compact, which means it takes less space and memory on your e-reader or device. You can also transfer and share your epub files easily and quickly.
The Sources of Epub Files
There are many websites and platforms that offer epub files of Snow Country, either for free or for a fee. Some of the sources are:
Project Gutenberg: This is a website that provides free e-books of public domain works, such as classics and historical texts. You can download Snow Country in epub format from this link: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/7464.epub.noimages
Amazon: This is a website that sells e-books and other products online. You can buy Snow Country in epub format from this link: https://www.amazon.com/Snow-Country-Yasunari-Kawabata-ebook/dp/B00J75ISYY/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Barnes & Noble: This is a website that sells e-books and other products online. You can buy Snow Country in epub format from this link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/snow-country-yasunari-kawabata/1100619485?ean=9780307833642
Kobo: This is a website that sells e-books and other products online. You can buy Snow Country in epub format from this link: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/snow-country-1
Google Play: This is a website that sells e-books and other products online. You can buy Snow Country in epub format from this link: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Yasunari_Kawabata_Snow_Country?id=ZwYqAAAAQBAJ&hl=en_US&gl=US
The Process of Downloading Epub Files
The process of downloading an epub file from a source depends on the source and the device you are using. However, the general steps are:
Go to the website or platform that offers the epub file of Snow Country that you want to download.
Select the epub file and click on the download button or link.
Save the epub file to your computer or device.
Transfer the epub file to your e-reader or device using a USB cable or a wireless connection.
Open the epub file on your e-reader or device using an app or software that supports epub format.
The Tips for Reading Epub Files
To enhance your reading experience with epub files, you can follow some tips such as:
Adjust the text size, font style, page layout, brightness, orientation, etc. according to your preferences.
Add bookmarks, highlights, notes, etc. to your epub file.
Use the table of contents, search function, dictionary function, etc. to navigate and understand your epub file.
Enjoy the images, tables, footnotes, etc. that are included in your epub file.
Share your thoughts and opinions about Snow Country with other readers online or offline.
Conclusion
a masterpiece of modern Japanese literature that showcases the unique style and sensibility of Kawabata. You can read it in epub format, which is a convenient and flexible format for e-books that allows you to customize your reading experience. You can download Snow Country in epub format from various sources, such as Project Gutenberg, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play. You can also follow some tips to enhance your reading experience with epub files, such as adjusting the settings, adding annotations, using the features, and sharing your feedback. We hope you enjoy reading Snow Country in epub format, and discover the beauty and sadness of Kawabata's world.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Snow Country and epub format:
What is the meaning of the title Snow Country?
The title Snow Country refers to the region of western Japan where the novel takes place. It is a remote and isolated area that is covered with snow for more than half of the year. The snow creates a contrast between the white scenery and the dark sky, and also between the coldness and warmth of the characters. The snow also symbolizes the purity and impermanence of life, as well as the loneliness and sadness of love.
Who is Yasunari Kawabata?
Yasunari Kawabata was a Japanese writer who was born in 1899 and died in 1972. He was one of the most prominent and influential writers of modern Japanese literature, and he won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1968. He wrote many novels, short stories, essays, and poems that explored the themes of beauty, loneliness, love, death, tradition, and modernity. Some of his other famous works include The Old Capital, Thousand Cranes, The Sound of the Mountain, The Master of Go, and Palm-of-the-Hand Stories.
What is epub format?
Epub format is a popular and widely used format for e-books that stands for electronic publication. It is a flexible and customizable format that allows you to adjust the text size, font style, page layout, brightness, orientation, etc. according to your preferences. It also preserves the original formatting and layout of the book, such as images, tables, footnotes, etc. It is compatible with most e-readers and devices, such as Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iPad, iPhone, Android, etc.
How can I download Snow Country in epub format?
You can download Snow Country in epub format from various sources, such as Project Gutenberg, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Google Play. You will need to select the epub file and click on the download button or link. Then you will need to save the epub file to your computer or device. Then you will need to transfer the epub file to your e-reader or device using a USB cable or a wireless connection. Then you will need to open the epub file on your e-reader or device using an app or software that supports epub format.
How can I read Snow Country in epub format?
such as adjusting the settings, adding annotations, using the features, and sharing your feedback. You can also use the table of contents, search function, dictionary function, etc. to navigate and understand your epub file. You can also enjoy the images, tables, footnotes, etc. that are included in your epub file. 71b2f0854b