Masks by Fumiko Enchi

 

Masks by Fumiko Enchi which is the first Japanese novel I have ever read. Some of the main characters in this novel are the widowed Mieko, Yasuko, the widowed daughter in-law of Mieko. Harume, twin sister of Yasuko’s husband, who pretty but retarded. Besides Mieko and Yasuko, two men play important roles. Ibuki, a professor of Japanese literature and a friend of Yasuko’s deceased husband, is married and has a young daughter. Mikame is a bachelor psychiatrist. Both men are in love with Yasuko. 

After learning about this novel, I paid attention to “Noh masks” so, what is the meaning of Noh masks, what is their significance and how do the characters react to them?
What is a mask? A mask is just a decoration or article worn on the face for disguise, entertainment purposes or even as a form of protection . Noh is derived from the Japanese word for "skill" or "talent" Noh is a major form of classical Japanese musical drama that has been performed since the 14th century. Many characters are masked, with men playing male and female roles. (http://www.coreofculture.org/noh.html )
       In the section of the novel- from pages 21 to 26, I realized the significance of Masks. The masks were mainly feminine in nature and had striking features about the eyes and mouth. When a person puts on the mask , all the normal characteristics of that individual seemed to be taken away. A man could put on the mask of a woman and he would no longer appear masculine in his face.
      How do the characters react to these masks? There are three types of masks that Enchi mentions in her novel. The first mask is Ryo no onna which is mentioned in page 25 as “the finest mask in the Yakushiji collection … and represents the vengeful spirit of an older woman.” On page 26, Yasuko tells Ibuki, “I see those masks must be my own mother - in -law not because she sees Noh performed so often …..but because of that look of utter tranquility they have- a deeply inward sort of look. I think Japanese women long ago must have had that look. And it seems to me she must be one of the last women who lives that way still-like the masks-with her deepest energies turned inward.” The author describes Meiko’s character as being like a Noh Mask. We can see this in another place in novel, “She is like the face on the Noh Mask, wrapped in her own secrets (p 31).
     The second mask is Masugani. This mask is “that of a young woman in a state of frenzy” (61) Ibuki is sure that he went to bed with Yasuko but in the middle of the night, he saw Harume beside him instead Yasuko. The  Harume’s face is a “face of Masugani”.
     The last Noh Mask is Fukai. It means “deep well.”This mask was presented to Meiko. The mask stands for the heart of old woman (p.141).
          Each kind of mask plays a role in the life of the characters of this novel. I recognized that Meiko used masks in order to fulfill her own revenge. She wants to payback her husband and men in her society.
         From this story, I can see how in real life, many people often use technique that Meiko used for the purpose of her revenge. They wear masks not in drama, but in daily life. They have the ability to show kindness in front of people, but, behind the backs of people they do evil things. They wear whatever kind of mask they have to get their plans.
        In conclusion, masks are used in many cultures for decoration, making fun, and relaxing. However, masks are also tools for many people to use to do bad things to others. I think people should wear masks only for purposes of fun not to hide behind.

Reference:

Mask by Enchi http://www.jstor.org/discover
http://www.coreofculture.org/noh.html )

 

 

Tao Te Ching

In world literature, I learned about the Tao Te Ching. I would like to share with you some thoughts of mine about this ancient text.

“Tao” means “The Way”. “Te” carries the meaning of virtue, inner strength, or personal integrity. “Ching” means a great book. Therefore, Tao Te  Ching would be translated into English: “The Great Book on the Way of Virtue”.

 This ancient text has 81 verses. It probably dates from the third or fourth century B.C. Some believe it may be from as early as the sixth century B.C.  It is said that, although this text is short, it is a source for achieving a way of life which includes integrity, joy, peace, and balance. Dr. Sears stated that Tao Te Ching reflects on history, literature, culture, politics, and religion. 

The Tao Te Ching was written by Lao Tzu, the Chinese philosopher. In my research, I found an interesting legend about him which also explains to us why he got his name as Lao Tzu. “It is said that Lao Tzu’s mother was pregnant with him for decades so that he was born with a long white beard and cane. Thus the name Lao Tzu which mean ‘Old Child.’” (Encyclopedia)

Because of time limitations, we did not learn all 81 verses of the Tao Te Ching. However, we took the time to read and analyze some famous sections. The 14^th verse is the most interesting to me.

Looked at but cannot be seen - it is beneath form;
Listened to but cannot be heard - it is beneath sound;
Held but cannot be touched - it is beneath feeling;
These depthless things evade definition,
And blend into a single mystery.

In its rising there is no light,
In its falling there is no darkness,
A continuous thread beyond description,
Lining what cannot occur;
Its form formless,
Its image nothing,
Its name silence;
Follow it, it has no back,
Meet it, it has no face.

Attend the present to deal with the past;
Thus you grasp the continuity of the Way,
Which is its essence.

            Some scholars have said that this section of the Tao Te Ching is the most significant of all its 81 verses because it stresses the significance of the single principle that is the underpinning of all existence.

Reading the first five lines of this section, I try to imagine what “cannot be heard,” “cannot be seen,” and “cannot be touched,” but is and always has been. According to Lao Tzu, it is Tao. For me Tao is a Supreme Being, we cannot hear, see, or touch the Supreme Being directly. Nevertheless, we can always sense that there is such a Being present in our lives.

In the second part of this verse, I come to believe that the reason we cannot understand the Supreme Being, is because the characteristic by which we identify someone are hard to grasp. It is hard to understand how darkness cannot be dark or dawn cannot bring with it light. 

Continuing the analysis, I believe that even if one wants to follow to this Supreme Being it would be difficult as the Being is characterized as being silent and formless.

In conclusion, even if one spends an entire lifetime trying to comprehend Tao, it would almost be impossible to have a true image of the Being described in this verse.  Yes, we believe that Tao is always present in our lives, but the presence of the Tao is invisible.    

 

 

                                           Works Cited

Benet's Reader's Encyclopedia. R 803 B435BN. Print

Reflection on the Poem "The Traveling of Onion"

                  

I want to share with you my reflection on the poem, “The Traveling Onion,” written by Naomi Shihab Nye.

 On the surface, I think that the author talks about the role of the onion in adding flavor to food we eat in our daily life. But through closing reading, I discovered something more: “And I would never scold the onion for causing tears. It is right that tears fall for something small and forgotten.” In this case, I understand that the author uses the onion as a symbol for other things which are “small and forgotten.” It reminds me of how often we forget the people who play a small role in our community. If nobody wanted to take a small part in community, I am for sure this community would not have good harmony and even not exist. Therefore, in community life, whether people work a small job or work on a big project, they are important in life of the community.    

I am also interested in the idea that the poet mentions in the end of this poem, “For the sake of others, disappear.” Like the onion which sacrifices itself for flavor to feed, many people in the time of the author were willing to lay down their lives for others. True giving is that take place without seeking a reward. A good example of this kind of giving is Mother Teresa who never waited  around to be thanks for her efforts.

I really like this poem because the author has ability to see greatness in normal things. Often time people overlook the normal things in life because they think they are unimportant. However, it is a simple thing in life that become the really important thing because they are the things that touch us in our day to day life style. Actually, one can never say that something which necessary for life and happiness can ever be considered unimportant.