The Ark Sakura
A recluse sells tickets to his ark in an abandoned mine.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
The Ark Sakura (方舟さくら丸 Hakobune Sakura-maru) is a novel by the Japanese novelist Kōbō Abe, originally published in 1984. The English translation by Juliet Winters Carpenter was released in 1988. The novel follows a recluse who, convinced the world will end soon, takes up residence in an abandoned mine and attempts to sell tickets to his 'ark' to people he deems worthy of saving from the apocalypse.
- author
- Kōbō Abe
- original_publication_year
- 1984
- english_translation_year
- 1988
- translator
- Juliet Winters Carpenter
- nationality
- Japanese
- genre
- Novel
Lore & Background
The novel begins with the protagonist, who calls himself Mole, going to a flea market to find people to live aboard his 'ark,' an abandoned mine outfitted to withstand a predicted nuclear holocaust. His attention is caught by a man selling insects called clockbugs, who has two shills (sakura in Japanese) working for him: an aggressive, impulsive young man and a sly but attractive woman. When Mole offers the insect dealer a ticket, it is stolen by the shills. Chasing them back to the ark, Mole and the dealer discover other unseen intruders prowling the dark corridors. Mole accepts the shills' presence in exchange for their help repelling the intruders, but his fantasy of power unravels as a brigade of old men, a band of school girls, and a group of wayward youths occupy the ark. Mole is forced to abandon his creation, his sanctum breached and his heart broken by the female sakura who rejects his advances.
Reader's Guide
The Ark Sakura is significant as a work by Kōbō Abe, a major Japanese novelist, exploring themes of apocalypse, isolation, and social outcasts. In a review for The New York Times, Edmund White described the novel as dreamlike 'in the strictest sense,' praising its scope and level of detail. The novel delves into the strange ideas and predilections of its narrator while serving as a haunting exploration of modern life in Japan and what it means to be an outcast. Its legacy lies in its surreal, layered narrative that critiques power dynamics and the human desire for control in the face of perceived doom.
Did You Know?
- The protagonist calls himself Mole.
- The insect dealer sells insects called clockbugs.
- The shills are referred to as sakura in Japanese.
- The English translation was done by Juliet Winters Carpenter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote The Ark Sakura and when was it published?
The Ark Sakura is a novel by Japanese author Kōbō Abe, first released in 1984. The English-language edition, translated by Juliet Winters Carpenter, came out in 1988.
What is the plot of The Ark Sakura?
The story centers on a hermit who becomes convinced that an apocalypse is imminent. He sets up camp in a derelict mine and begins selling boarding passes to a self-styled 'ark' for anyone he judges fit to survive the coming end.
Who is the protagonist of The Ark Sakura?
The main character is a reclusive man who isolates himself in an abandoned mine. He acts as a self-appointed gatekeeper, deciding which visitors are worthy of a spot on his makeshift ark.
What genre is The Ark Sakura?
It is classified as a Japanese science fiction novel, though its speculative premise of imminent world destruction serves more as a backdrop for exploring human psychology and social judgment.
Where does The Ark Sakura take place?
The primary setting is an abandoned mine, which the protagonist converts into his personal ark. The surrounding world is largely implied rather than depicted in detail.
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