抄録
This paper consists of an English translation and interpretation of the short story Inochi no tomoshibi by Fukazawa Shichiro. The "Background and Interpretation" focuses briefly on the political conflict of the decade following the post-war American occupation of Japan, with particular reference to the position of Emperor Hirohito and the conflict surrounding the Japan-US Security Treaty. This is followed by a discussion of Fukazawa's story Furyumutan (An Elegant Fantasy) and the implications of the resulting murder, referred to as the 'Shimanaka incident.' The latter part of the "Background and Interpretation" describes Fukazawa's life as a reclusive wanderer in the subsequent two-year period (1961 - 1962), as reflected in two of his relevant works, Ruro no shuki (Memoirs of a Wanderer} and the Inochi no tomoshibi (Flame of Life) quartet, with a comparative discussion of the tone, content and significance of the works.
