Lost in the 4rest: Experiments in Kishotenketsu

Kish¿tenketsu is an ancient Chinese and Japanese literary structure that presents stories in four distinct parts: ki (introduction), sh¿ (development), ten (surprise), and ketsu (conclusion). Unlike many Western flavors of plot, here surprise supersedes conflict as the foundation of tales worth telling.

LOST IN THE 4REST collects 52 four-sentence pieces that experiment with this fascinating literary format. Part flash fiction, part prose poetry, and across multiple genres, each selection creates a self-contained world, moment, or emotion held together by shock, wonder, or counterpoint. Together they offer a brief, vivid glimpse into the possibilities of non-Western narrative.