words of the day: dace and tangle
In the months and years after the atomic bomb explosion over Hiroshima the survivors have to deal with the effects of radiation poisoning. Yasuko was not hurt by the initial blast but wandered the ruins looking for her uncle, so unknowingly took on a strong dose. Her uncle and aunt were also sickened, but the younger woman seemed to have it worse.
I see the doctor to the gate and am told: ‘She seems more listless than yesterday. It’s the effect of the fever, I imagine.’
For supper, stewed dace, egg, tangle, shallots, one bowl of rice, tomatoes. The doctor said he would come every three days, but after talking with my husband and with Yasuko, I go to Dr. Kajita’s house to ask him to come every day. He agrees.
The patient goes to bed at eight.
dace (dictionary.com): a small, freshwater cyprinoid fish, Leuciscus leuciscus, of Europe, having a stout, fusiform body.
tangle (dictionary.com): any of several large seaweeds of the genus Laminaria.
source:
Black Rain
by Masuji Ibuse
translated by John Bester
1985. Kodansha International / Bantam Books, NY
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