Western Culture

Western Culture

vs.

Traditional Japanese Culture

Japanese Culture After Westernization

About The Sailor

" The more I got back to Japanese tradition, the more i was able to achieve a positive character. It is my firm belief that our japanese character was stunted by westerization." Yukio Mishima

• The Sailor was written by Yukio Mishima
• The novel takes place in the well known seaport city Yokohama, post-war Japan
• The Sailor was translated by John Nathan.

westernization before World War 2:

• The Industrialization of Japan began during the Meiji era 1868-1912
• During this period, Japanese society went from being an isolated society, to its most modern culture.
• Government offices, the banking system, and the constitution were all introduced

Westernisation after World War 2:

• Hairstyles for men and women changed to suit European styles.
• Beer was the preferred alcohol
• Movies, music, and fashion quickly replaced their traditional Japanese counterparts.
• Western food/fast food became so popular Japanese farmers were able to pass a law requiring schools to serve rice at least 3 times a month

So What is Mishima Saying?

Traditional Japanese Culture

In conclusion,

We believe that Mishima expressed what his opinion is on westernization in Japan. He does this by personifying traditional Japan, westernized Japan, and the " grey area" Japan using characters like Noboru, Fusako, and Ryuiji. Mishima uses The Sailor as a cautionary tale for future generations.

The Sailor tells the classic tale of loss of culture due to westernization, and is one of the most well known Japanese novels read to date.

Sakoku Period :

• Ultra- Nationalism was beginning
• During the Sakoku period, Japan was very isolated
• In 1924, the japanese exclusion act prohibited Japanese immigration into the west
• Sake was the preferred Alcohol.
• Most meals were prepared at home by the mother. Popular meals included : Sukiyaki, Sashimi, and Yakitori
• The kimono was worn by women, and the Wafaku was worn by men.
• The Japanese listened to many types of music such as Kabuki, Noh, Gagaku, and Nagauta music.
• Samurai values such as honor and glory were essential. they believed that honor was the crown a true samurai warrior wears. This honor was to be found, or a true samurai solider would accept death.
• The religions followed were Buddhism and Shintoism.

Examples of westernization in

The Sailor?

" Some stunning French Accessories," she had telephoned to say," (p.26)

" There wasn't a single Japanese room in Fusakos house. Her mode of living was thoroughly western," (p.113)

"Fusako had to order for Yoriko because she couldn't read the french menu," ( p. 120)

" Tired to death of the squalor and the boredom in a sailors life. There was no glory to be found, not anywhere in the world . " (p.111)

" New years eve always meant [...] at twelve o'clock on the dot everybody would start kissing like it wasn't anything," (p.108)

" Not that it made much of a difference: Japanese and English and art were the only subjects she could handle," ( p.79)

" She jumped out of bed and bundled everything she could get on. Tights, Slacks, a cashmere sweater, and a gorgeous Danish ski sweater over that, and tiptoeing down the stairs, they unlocked the front door and stepped outside."(p.109)

Examples of Traditional Japanese Culture in

The Sailor

" He sensed the stars of night tilting dangerously at the top of the mast,"(p.21)

The Title:

- The Sailor who fell from grace with the sea

- Real title translated:

Glory in the Afternoon

" She drew the flowery curtain over the entrance to the shell."(p.21)

" She was wearing a kimono of black lace over a crimson under-robe; her obi was white brocade:, (p.9-10)

" There were gold-braid epaulets on his white short-sleeved shirt." (p.10)

" The total in his bankbook climbed and now he had almost two million yen in the bank," ( p.19)

" At Twenty, he had been passionately certain: there's just one thing I'm destined for and that's glory; that's right glory." (p.16)