Takasebune

  This story is originally Japanese. In Kansei period, criminals were send to a distant island of exile after a judging. They have to say good bye with their relatives and put on Takase boat. Shobei is the doushin, incharge of seeing that the criminal arrived safety.

 One day, Kisuke was put on the boat without seeing any relative. Most criminals look feeling sad or regret because of they can't never meet each other after that. But he was different. He seemed a little happy. Shobei was so curious about him and asked why you looks not so sad and what he did, then Kisuke answered it.

 According to his story, his life was very poorer than the future life in the island. He couldn't get enough money to live and eat. His parents past away when he was child and lived with his young brother. They had always cooperated each other to look for job and work. But his brother got serious sick and he became to feel sorry for not enable to earn with him. 

 One day, when Kisuke came back home and opened the front door, his brother was lying with a blood all around him. He cut his neck and a knife was still there. Kisuke tried to help him but his brother ask to pull out it and make him die. He didn't know what to do because he realized whether he follow a brother's wish or not, he wil die.  Finally he decided to follow it and called a criminal.

 Shobei could imagine the scene as Kisuke described it. Even before Kisuke had gotten half way through his story, Shobei began to question if this was really a case of murder.(p.35)

 Recently, euthanasia have been allowed by a law in some countries. Takasebune is one of the great old works in Japan. However we can think about this topic like Shobei now as well. I recommend to read it.