Lost in _____III

“Ryutandan” is a novel by Kyoka Izumi, a prolific writer active during the late Meiji and early Showa periods. This narrative weaves the tale of a young boy who is drawn into a fantastical realm after being bitten by a mysterious beetle, Michioshie (whose name literally translates to ’the one who tells you direction’).

 

In April 2020, playwright Hironori Naito referenced “Ryutandan” in an article for the Mainichi Newspaper, exploring the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on culture. He eloquently expressed, “We have already entered a different world. It’s uncertain when we entered. [...]

We didn’t expect to be so deeply immersed. We are now in the midst of the story”. Naito’s article left a lasting impression on me and served as the inspiration to embark on the creation of the “Lost in” series.

 

We find ourselves thrust into this “new world”, brimming with both uncertainty and wonder.The title, “Lost in ____”, reflects our pervasive sense of being adrift in the current world. I invite you to fill in the blank with words that resonate personally with your own experience.

 

June 2021, Hinako Takagi

 

*This work was composed during the pandemic and centers around the theme of the

worldwide lockdown. Hironori Naito’s article was published in the Mainichi Newspaper on April 23, 2020