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"The Sound of Waves" Written by Yukio Mishima

Yukio Mishima

  • Writer of Japanese Literature
  • Born: 14 January 1925 in Tokyo, Japan
  • Died: 25 November 1970 in Tokyo, Japan
  • Commited ritual suicide or seppuku
  • He was a three-time Nobel nominee, and his dozen novels made him the most famous and translated Japanese writer of his generation
  • His staged death his death, in his will to be recognized as a martyr for Japan after it was humiliated post WWII, and his death made front-page news around the world. it is still being analyzed today.

Summary

  • Setting- a small island called Uta-Jima
  • Shingi- protagonist, fisherman, who falls in love with Hatuse
  • Uncle Teru- father of Hatsue, who has ordered her to receive an arranged marriage with Yasuo. He forbids Hatsue to marry Shinji
  • Hatsue- a fortunate-looking, Japanese woman from a different island than Shinji, who had studied to become a pearl diver. Hatsue falls in love with Shinji and does not want to marry Yasuo.
  • Yasu0- financially stable but emotionally unstable. He is the suitor/admirer of Hatsue

Which cultural tradition is most frequently reffered to in the book?

Japanese Arranged Marriages-

...In theory they are the result of formal negotiations involving a mediator who is not a family member, culminating in a meeting between the respective families, including the prospective bride and groom, in Japan.

The Traditions of a Patriarchal, Conservative Society

Bride:

  • Traditional Kimono
  • white hood-like veil of cloth called a tsunokakushi, meaning demon horns. It is draped over her face, to hide her jealousy and to acknowledge her submission to her mother-in-law

Groom:

  • an outer garmet (Hakama) worn over a full-length kimono, split between the legs like pants

Ceremony:

  • a Shinto priest conducts the ceremony which is attended only by immediate family
  • Religious Shinto marriage takes place at a Shrine

How is the role of Japanese women changing and where will it lead?

Japan: One of the Largest Social Shifts in the World

The Growing Independence of Women in Japan

  • Young women are delyaing marriage, and older women are choosing divorce
  • Young women are becoming further educaated
  • Women are no longer taking second place to husbands
  • One fourth of all Japanese women age 30-35 are unmarried
  • The rates of divorce for couples over 45 years old, are the highest in Japan

Modernization in Japan

  • Fewer amounts of abused women in Japan
  • A greater amount of understanding men, but there are many exceptions even today
  • However, some women in Japan are marrying for financial stability, even if it means they aren't marrying for love. This financial will to marry is present in Japan, because of its recent economic decline
  • Increasingly well-paying jobs for Japanese citizens of both sexes
  • The reshaping of western values, to modernize the controversial ideals of Japan, while retaining Japanese traditions that have been practiced for thousands of years

Westernization in Japan

Japanese women are obtaining jobs that offer equal roles for both sexes.

Japanese women are traveling to western parts of the world, causing a change in their personal beliefs, due to the influence of Western cultures.

There is a significant increase in Japanese women who work internationally

Escaping Corporate Sexism

Please fill out the crossword puuzzle in order to retain the information that was previously given.

Answer Key

Across:

Yukio

Teru

Shinji

Kimonos

Shinto

Island

Twenty-five

Down:

Modernization

Yasuo

Hatsue

forty-five

suicide

Thank you for participating

- Maggie Kesaris

A greater respect for women in Japan's present day society

The roles of women are expanding globally