Menu

This page has been machine-translated. Please see the Japanese page for accurate content.

Open the Japanese page

Spoiler

「福」に憑かれた男

Contains spoilers.

Teachings in the Story

Change how you see trials

The author's afterword suggests enjoying Shuzo's trials as material that can lead toward happiness. It is a way of thinking that looks beyond the difficulties themselves to what can be learned from them, and poses the question to readers as well.

Keep trying, even in a headwind

The author's official website introduces Shuzo, who faces crises such as a large bookstore opening nearby, as someone trying to move forward into a headwind. His response to the crisis forms the heart of the story and prompts a fresh look at the meaning of work.

Highlighted Quotes

After each quote, we provide a TODO based on a fan's interpretation.

We have not yet published any quotes whose exact wording could be verified in a source. We will add them after checking them against the book or Audible.

Essences to Carry into Life

The essences and TODOs are fan interpretations, not the author's words.

devices in the story

The author's afterword reconsiders the trials that begin with the bookstore crisis in the first episode as material for moving toward happiness.

This interpretation was checked against official descriptions and readers' records

Reconsider a trial as material you can use next

This idea applies the perspective of “material” presented in the author's afterword to the next decision, without forcing a positive view of the difficulty.

Find one useful thing in a trial

Daily

Separate the facts of today's difficulty from your interpretation, then write down one thing that may help with your next decision.

Steps

  1. Write what happened in one sentence
  2. Write separately how you are taking it
  3. Choose one thing that may be useful next
Writing field: What happenedWriting field: How I am taking itWriting field: What I can use next
Cue
If a difficulty is still on your mind at the end of the day
Start small
Write one sentence containing only what happened
Checking your login status.Discuss on the Message Board(Japanese)
devices in the storyTry one different thing in adversity

After deciding to close the bookstore, Shuzo accepts an elderly man's suggestion, changes how he interacts with visitors, and begins rebuilding the store.

This interpretation was checked against official descriptions and readers' records

This idea turns the sequence in which Shuzo tries a different approach to serving customers into a small experiment you can choose according to your situation.

Try one different move

Weekly

Choose one stalled task and try one minimal action that differs from the approach you have been repeating.

Steps

  1. Write down one task that has stalled
  2. Name one approach you have been repeating
  3. Choose one different approach and try it briefly
Writing field: The stalled taskWriting field: My approach so farWriting field: The move I will try this time
Cue
When the same task has stalled twice
Start small
Simply write down one different approach
Checking your login status.Discuss on the Message Board(Japanese)
devices in the storyAsk “what for” before “how”

After speaking with the elderly man, Shuzo considers the purpose of living beyond success and income. The exact episode has not been confirmed.

This interpretation was checked against official descriptions and readers' records

This idea turns a conversation in the story about asking the purpose before the method into a writing exercise that clarifies the guiding value behind a goal.

Trace why you want it three times

Once

Write down one result you want now, ask why you need it up to three times, and write the value you ultimately want to protect.

Steps

  1. Write down one result you want now
  2. Write why you need it, then ask the same question of that answer
  3. Repeat up to three times and express the value you want to protect in one word
Writing field: The result I want nowWriting field: Why I need itWriting field: The value that remained at the end
Cue
When you set a new goal
Start small
Write down the reason just once
Checking your login status.Discuss on the Message Board(Japanese)
devices in the storyMake a habit of doing good without being noticed

Within the framework of the story, this is explained as one of the three conditions for the God of Fortune to inhabit a person. The exact episode and speaker have not been confirmed.

This interpretation was checked against official descriptions and readers' records

Of the three habits, this fan's idea recreates doing good without telling others, without turning it into an action meant to gain recognition.

Help once without being noticed

Daily

Notice one difficulty someone close to you is facing and offer a small form of help without telling them.

Steps

  1. Notice one thing someone may be struggling with
  2. Choose a small way you can help
  3. Do it without expecting anything in return
Writing field: A difficulty I noticed todayWriting field: What I can do without telling themWriting field: What I did
Cue
In the morning, when you picture the people you will see today
Start small
Tidy just one shared space
Checking your login status.Discuss on the Message Board(Japanese)
devices in the storyMake a habit of celebrating another person's success as if it were your own

This is explained as one of the three conditions for the God of Fortune to inhabit a person. The exact episode and speaker have not been confirmed.

This interpretation was checked against official descriptions and readers' records

This fan's idea turns the habit of sincerely celebrating another person's success into offering them words without comparison or advice.

Celebrate one person's progress in words

Weekly

Choose one person who has succeeded or made progress, and congratulate them by mentioning an action they have kept up.

Steps

  1. Choose one person you want to celebrate
  2. Write down one action that person has kept up
  3. Offer words of celebration without making comparisons
Writing field: The person I want to celebrateWriting field: An action that person has kept upWriting field: The words I will share
Cue
When you learn of someone's success or progress
Start small
Simply say congratulations
Checking your login status.Discuss on the Message Board(Japanese)
devices in the storyMake a habit of treating everyone with love

This is explained as one of the three conditions for the God of Fortune to inhabit a person. The exact episode and speaker have not been confirmed.

This interpretation was checked against official descriptions and readers' records

This idea translates “treating others with love” from the story into the action of taking an interest in someone as a person, without forcing an emotion.

Listen to one person without judging them

Weekly

Choose one person you feel inclined to avoid and, without rushing to a conclusion, ask what matters to them.

Steps

  1. Choose one person to listen to
  2. Listen without judging the person before they finish
  3. Ask about one thing that matters to them
Writing field: The person I will listen toWriting field: What matters to that personWriting field: What I had assumed about them
Cue
When you find someone difficult to deal with
Start small
Listen to the person for just one minute without interrupting
Checking your login status.Discuss on the Message Board(Japanese)
devices in the storyThe assignment of choosing one book that suits the person before you

Around the second episode, “Encounter.” In response to an assignment from the elderly man, Shuzo speaks to a visitor. The first visitor's occupation needs verification.

This interpretation was checked against official descriptions and readers' records

This idea adapts for daily life the assignment in the story of taking an interest in the person before you and choosing one book, rather than starting with the book you want to sell.

Choose one book that suits one person

Weekly

Ask someone close to you what interests them now, choose one book you have read, and introduce it with the reason you chose it.

Steps

  1. Ask about the person's current interests or difficulties
  2. Choose one book you have read
  3. Introduce it with the reason you think it suits the person
Writing field: The person's current interestsWriting field: The book I choseWriting field: Why I chose that book
Cue
When the conversation turns to books
Start small
Simply ask about one of the person's interests
Checking your login status.Discuss on the Message Board(Japanese)

Listen to or Read This Work

Listen on Audible

Recommended

You can also listen during spare moments, such as on your commute to work or school.

Listen to Audible 通常版Narrated by 佐々木 健・3 hr 27 min
Read the print edition (Paperback)

Sources