Bullfight

“The bullfight was over, but the memory of it lingered like a stain.”

Chapter 1: The Invitation

The novel opens with Tsugami, a newspaper editor in post-war Osaka, receiving an unexpected proposal to organize a bullfighting event. The idea comes from an acquaintance, Tashiro, who sees it as a lucrative spectacle. Tsugami, though hesitant, is drawn to the challenge and the potential financial reward.

Chapter 2: Planning the Event

Tsugami begins preparations, navigating the complexities of securing bulls, arranging a venue, and dealing with skeptical sponsors. His relationship with his lover, Sakiko, grows strained as he becomes consumed by the project. The post-war setting underscores the desperation and opportunism of the time.

Chapter 3: The Arrival of the Bulls

The bulls arrive in Osaka, stirring public curiosity. Tsugami faces logistical hurdles and mounting pressure as the event date approaches. His interactions with Tashiro and other collaborators reveal differing motives—some seek profit, others mere survival.

Chapter 4: The Bullfight

The day of the event arrives, drawing a large crowd. The spectacle is chaotic, blending brutality and fascination. Tsugami watches, detached yet deeply affected, as the violence mirrors his own inner turmoil. The event’s commercial success contrasts with his growing disillusionment.

Chapter 5: Aftermath

In the wake of the bullfight, Tsugami reflects on its meaning. The fleeting excitement gives way to emptiness, and his relationship with Sakiko reaches a breaking point. The novel ends ambiguously, leaving Tsugami to grapple with the consequences of his choices.

Key Ideas

• Post-war Japan’s moral and economic uncertainty
• The clash between ambition and existential emptiness
• Human relationships under pressure
• The spectacle as a metaphor for life’s futility
• Isolation in a rapidly changing society