The Artist - arthur Shiga Naoya

The Artist is a beautiful short story written by Shiga Naoya, a famous Japanese writer. The Artist unfurls before us the world of a talented Japanese boy, Seibei. It shows how the adult world often causes damage to such talent.

Gourd: large fleshy fruit of a trailing plant

Sen: Japanese currency

Sake: a Japanese drink made from rice

Dregs: the last few drops left in a glass

Pate: head

Gnarled: twisted or wrinkled

Symmetrical: well- shaped

Disgust: violent distaste

Persimmon: a yellow fruit, also called – dateplum

Incensed: made angry

Effeminate: womanish

Raucous: harsh-sounding

Confiscate: take away

Inconspicuous: not easily noticed

Vindictive: determined to punish

Rhetoric: forceful speech

Bawl: speak noisily

Porter: attendant

Yen: unit of currency in Japan

Engrossed: absorbed

                             -   From the book - Tales of All Times,

                       Selected & Edited by P V Ramachandran