Han's Crime

by Naoya Shiga

Shiga Naoya's story "Han's Crime" first appeared in 1913 in Shirakaba (White Birch), a literary magazine founded by Shiga and a group of wealthy university students. "Han's Crime" was well-received when it was first published; several critics considered it an almost perfect short story, saying it exemplified Shiga's sparse, psychologically probing style. Told almost entirely through dialogue, the story attempts to unravel the truth behind the violent death of Han's wife, a young circus performer. It seems clear that Han has killed his wife in the midst of a knife-throwing act; he and his colleagues are called in before the judge to testify. The judge's duty is to determine whether Han's crime was premeditated (murder) or accidental (manslaughter). As the story progresses, however, what at first seems clear becomes more difficult to pin down. In his confession, Han reveals that he himself does not know whether he committed murder or was simply involved in a tragic accident.

Genres: Short Stories, Japanese Literature

11 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 1913

About the author

Naoya Shiga (志賀 直哉) was a Japanese novelist and short story writer active during the Taishō and Showa periods of Japan.

Reviews

[Luthfi Ferizqi]

One of the best short story!

[Kat]

read for clas

[Jared Paul]

One of the best short stories for ethics discussions. Take your side: guilty or not?

[Zikri Islam]

good for school work

[Carson]

Thank you Father Crime for assigning us this. At no point did I predict where tf this story was going lmao.

[Kazu_mylifemyway]

A short mystery fiction by the God of Fiction.

[mia ╰(*´︶`*)╯♡]

read for my intro to lit class