How Kyoko Nakajima’s haunting short stories inspired my latest Story Sparked Creations
Ever read a book so evocative that it literally makes you hungry? That’s exactly what happened when I dove into Kyoko Nakajima’s “Things Remembered and Things Forgotten” – a collection of ten Japanese short stories that left me craving not just deeper meaning, but an authentic bento box.
What’s “Things Remembered and Things Forgotten” About?
This isn’t your typical page-turner. Nakajima weaves together stories of memory, grief, and cultural amnesia in post-war Japan. From a man discovering his wife’s secret cooking dreams through her diary entries to a sewing machine narrating its entire lifespan, these tales blend the supernatural with the deeply human.
The story that captured my heart (and stomach) was “When My Wife Was A Shiitake.” Picture this: a newly retired widower reluctantly attending his late wife’s cooking class, discovering her beautiful diary entry about wanting to return to life as a shiitake mushroom. The food descriptions were so vivid, I had to create something in response.
5 Powerful Lessons That Changed My Perspective:
1. Memory is Beautifully Unreliable The title story delivers a plot twist that’ll make you question everything you think you remember. Sometimes our most cherished memories aren’t what they seem – and that’s oddly comforting.
2. Food Connects Us Across Time That bento-making widower taught me how recipes carry love forward. Every carefully prepared meal is a bridge between past and present, cook and consumer.
3. Ghosts Aren’t Always Scary Nakajima’s spirits are gentle guides rather than frightening specters. They represent continuity, memory, and the importance of honoring what came before.
4. Cultural Traditions Need Active Preservation The final story, “The Last Obon,” shows how quickly we can lose touch with meaningful rituals. It inspired me to be more intentional about preserving traditions through my own creative projects.
5. Beauty Lives in Impermanence The Japanese concept of mono no aware – the wistful awareness that all things pass – threads through every story, reminding us to appreciate fleeting moments.
My Story Sparked Creation: The Perfect Bento
Inspired by those mouth-watering food descriptions, I created a traditional bento featuring:
- Tender roasted chicken thigh
- Savory sausages
- Shiitake mushrooms (obviously!)
- Fresh broccoli
- A hidden bed of perfectly seasoned rice
Each component represented different characters from the collection – the shiitake honoring the widower’s wife, the chicken representing comfort and home, the rice symbolizing the foundation of memory that supports everything else.
Who Should Read This Book:
✅ Perfect for you if you:
- Love literary fiction with subtle supernatural elements
- Appreciate Japanese culture and post-war narratives
- Enjoy stories that require active reading and reflection
- Want to explore themes of memory and identity
- Like collections where each story can stand alone
❌ Skip this if you:
- Prefer fast-paced, action-heavy plots
- Want clearly defined supernatural elements
- Don’t enjoy contemplative, slower-paced narratives
- Struggle with non-linear storytelling
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 Stars)
“Things Remembered and Things Forgotten” earns four stars for its masterful subtlety and emotional depth. While some stories resonated more than others, Nakajima’s ability to find profound meaning in everyday moments is remarkable.
Ready to start your own Story Sparked Creation? Subscribe to my blog for more book-inspired projects, recipes, and creative challenges. What book made you want to create something? Share in the comments below!
jujucation.com 