Ufo In Kushiro Analysis

In the first story, “ufo in kushiro,” Komura is a man going through a mid-life crisis. After an earthquake hits Japan, his wife decides to leave him - leaving him shocked and confused. To help combat his depression, his co-worker sends him on an all-expenses-paid vacation to deliver a package to a woman named Shimao who lives in Kushiro. Shimao tries to solicit sex from Komura, but he declines. But this intimacy with her enables him to feel comfortable opening up to Shimao. Komura says, “‘There’s nothing inside me, I guess’”(22). Shimao, a supportive person, replies, ‘“I don’t know whether you’ve got something inside you, but I think you’re terrific”’(22-23). Shimao’s encouragement reminds Komura that he has self-worth. Shimao says, ‘“I feel

Satsuki goes on a combined vacation and work trip in Thailand and has a very relatable guide with whom she becomes very close. After several days together, her guide, Nimit, recognized that Satsuki had issues that she had not been addressing. Nimit took Satsuki to a spiritual guide, who uncovered unresolved issues with her old boyfriend. The spiritual guide told Nimit that Satsuki had such a strong hatred for her boyfriend, that she wished he died in the earthquake. Nimit told Satsuki,“‘The man is not dead, he did not receive a scratch. It may not be what you wanted, but it was actually very lucky for you that he was not hurt’”(86). Nimit is telling Satsuki that she should let go of her anger that she’s kept inside of her for years. His solution for her getting rid of her angst is, ‘“The stone and its inscriptions are old, old things. You have been living with them inside you for a very long time. You must get rid of the stone ”’(85). The stone stands for all of the hatred that she has been holding onto. Learning this enables Satsuki to open up and finally share her deepest secrets. ‘“I have a secret I’ve never told anyone. But I’d like to tell it to you now”’(88). Without the help of Nimit, Satsuki would still be holding onto grudges that were weighing her down like a