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The Human Pillar
Paperback
ISBN13: 9781025724805
Publisher: Tradd Street Press
Published: Feb 14 2026
Pages: 46
Weight: 0.17
Height: 0.10 Width: 6.14 Depth: 9.21
Language: English
The Human Pillar is a haunting dramatic work by the renowned Japanese playwright Okamoto Kido, a master of modern Kabuki and supernatural storytelling. Set against the backdrop of ancient Japanese traditions and folklore, the play explores the dark and evocative legend of hitobashira-the practice of human sacrifice to appease divine forces and ensure the permanence of great architectural feats.
Through his signature blend of historical realism and atmospheric tension, Kido delves into the psychological and moral complexities of those caught in the web of superstition and duty. The narrative centers on the chilling necessity of sacrificing a human life to stabilize a structure, reflecting the deep-seated cultural tensions between individual existence and the perceived requirements of the state or the gods. As one of the leading figures of the Shin Kabuki movement, Okamoto Kido brings a refined literary sensibility to this traditional motif, making The Human Pillar a compelling exploration of sacrifice, honor, and the spectral presence of the past. This work remains a significant example of early 20th-century Japanese literature, capturing the eerie beauty and tragic depth of classical folklore for a modern audience.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.
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