The Same River Twice

The Same River Twice is a story written by Shirozubon Saruko. It ran in Issue 86 at https://www.shousetsubangbang.com/mirror/the-same-river-twice/.

APPENDIX: ON FALSE NAMES.

Òkunkun is a word in the Yoruba language meaning “darkness” or “gloom.” While the origin and meaning of the name of the River Thames is disputed by experts, a popular theory is that it derives from the Celtic word tame, meaning “dark one.” Similarities have also been pointed out between “Thames” and words for darkness in a number of other languages, although these connections are variable in their clarity. One might further assume that òkunkun would be a rather pointed and tongue-in-cheek self-appellation for a member of the African diaspora living in nineteenth-century London.

Pennyroyal is the common name of Mentha pulegium, a flowering plant in the mint family. In the Victorian language of flowers, the blossoms of the pennyroyal plant have been said to have represented meanings along the lines of “go away” or “you must flee.” It is also perhaps not without poignancy that a tea made of pennyroyal has historically been used as a folk abortifacient.