# Shinsuké — Short Fiction character guide

> Shinsuké in Short Fiction by Tanizaki Jun’ichirō.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Shinsuké-san, The young Shinsuké

**First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction

## Snapshot

A twenty-year-old servant whose hands are chapped from cold and whose conscience is chapped by his master's daughter, caught between love and the fear of his own fate.

## Who they are

Shinsuké is a young manservant in the Suruga-ya household, dutiful enough to kneel in the verandah hall and wait up all night for his master's return. He loves Tsuya with a devotion that shames him, knowing she is out of his reach, yet he cannot steel himself against her pleading or the weight of her yellow purse. His hesitation—between the life he was born to and the life she offers—drives the early arc, making every knock at the door and every falling snowflake feel like a verdict.

## Relationships

### [Tsuya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/tsuya)

_romantic_

Shinsuké and Tsuya share a deep, intense romantic bond, likely central to the story's emotional core.

### [Kinzo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/kinzo)

_friendship_

Kinzo and Shinsuké are close friends or allies, possibly confidants in the story's conflicts.

### [Seiji](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/seiji)

_rivalry_

Seiji and Shinsuké are rivals, likely competing for Tsuya's affection or social standing.

### [Tokubey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/tokubey)

_rivalry_

Shinsuké and Tokubey are enemies or bitter competitors, possibly over Tsuya or power.

### [Santa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/santa)

_friendship_

Santa is a loyal friend or companion to Shinsuké, offering support or comic relief.

### [Somékichi](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/somekichi)

_friendship_

Shinsuké and Somékichi are friends or allies, possibly sharing a common goal or background.

### [Ashizawa](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/ashizawa)

_rivalry_

Ashizawa and Shinsuké are enemies, with Ashizawa possibly threatening Shinsuké's relationships.

### [Tsuya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/tsuya)

_romantic_

Shinsuké and Tsuya share a deep, intense romantic bond, likely central to the story's emotional core.

### [Tsuya](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/tsuya)

_romantic_

Shinsuké and Tsuya share a deep, intense romantic bond, likely central to the story's emotional core.

### [Kinzo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/kinzo)

_friendship_

Kinzo and Shinsuké are close friends or allies, possibly confidants in the story's conflicts.

### [Seiji](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/seiji)

_rivalry_

Seiji and Shinsuké are rivals, likely competing for Tsuya's affection or social standing.

### [Tokubey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/tokubey)

_rivalry_

Shinsuké and Tokubey are enemies or bitter competitors, possibly over Tsuya or power.

## In the story

### [Short Fiction](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/chapters/short-fiction)

Involved in encounters with Tsuya and planning to elope.

### [A Springtime Case](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/chapters/a-springtime-case)

Believed dead by Tsuya but reappears; beats Tsuya in a jealous rage over Ashizawa, then pursues and kills her on the riverbank.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters/shinsuke
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_52_se/characters