Comparing the themes of love in Akinari’s Bewitched” and Saikaku’s “The Barrelmaker Brimful of Love.”
Introduction: Summary of Stories
Bewitched
The story is about Toyoo, the son of a rich fisherman, who meets and marries a mysterious widow named Monago. Monago was previously married to a respected local dignitary named Agata. They met during a rainstorm, and after accepting her proposal to marry him, Toyoo receives an expensive sword as a gift from Monago.
However, it’s later discovered that the sword was stolen from a nearby temple. As a result, Toyoo is accused of the theft and arrested. During the investigation into the matter, it’s revealed that Toyoo had been bewitched by a snake in human form.
After this discovery, he goes to live with his sister. But Manago reappears and persuades him that she is actually human. Their affair continues until an old priest exposes Manago as the serpent in disguise.
As a result of this revelation, Manago flees while Toyoo returns home to marry Tomiko whom he later discovers was also under Manago’s spell. With the help of another priest, they banish the evil spirit but unfortunately Tomiko dies in the process.
The Barrelmaker Brimful of Love
The story is about Osen, who marries a blue-collar laborer that was in love with her. After their marriage, Osen turns out to be an amazing wife and satisfies her husband’s every need. Their marriage is later blessed with two kids, and she has eyes for no one but her husband. However, things turn around when she is wrongfully accused of having sex with Master Chozaemon. In the process of this accusation, Osen actually finds herself having sex with the same man she was accused of dating. Unfortunately for her, she gets caught in the process and cannot stand the circumstance; thus, she is forced to take her own life.
Comparing the themes
The theme of the two stories centers on love. The first story, Bewitched,” seems to focus on the usual confusion between love and lustful infatuation. Thus, the theme is that true love is not solely influenced by one’s physical appearance but rather their spiritual nature. This story discredits physical appearance as a factor that influences one’s interpretation of love. The serpent had a good knowledge of this fact and used her young and charming disguise to manipulate Toyoo’s innermost being.
The second story, “The Barrelmaker Brimful of Love,” has a similar theme in the sense that it also speaks to the deceitful nature of lust and how it can lead people to commit things they have never thought of before. Osen had been a faithful wife until she was accused of having an affair with another man.
In winter, on windy days or when it snowed, she would carefully cover his rice to keep it warm when he took it out. In the summer, she kept a fan close to her pillow to cool him off. When he was out of the house, she locked the gate and never looked at another man,” (Saikaku).
She then commits the same act she was accused of. The two stories portray a common lesson, which is to avoid jumping to conclusions. Toyoo became a victim of his quick conclusion when he agreed to marry a stranger, while Osen became a victim of her husband’s quick conclusion when she began to engage in the same act she was accused of.
Answers to Questions
What is the appropriate approach to love in Japanese society as suggested by these works?
The two works suggest that a woman’s marital value heavily depends on her appearance as a young woman. As a result, young widows have the chance to remarry multiple times, depending on how much their youthful looks can afford them.
2. When looking for a spouse, it is important to consider social factors such as shared values, beliefs, and cultural background. It is also important to consider the level of education and career aspirations of your potential partner. Additionally, factors such as family dynamics and social status can play a role in the decision-making process.
One social factor that seems to influence finding a spouse is a man’s ability to distinguish himself as a genuine man. This can be achieved by diagnosing any sexual deficiencies and eventually achieving masculinity. Therefore, if Toyoo had been able to clarify his sexual fantasies, he may have been able to avoid the bewitchment he underwent.
Where can wisdom about love be found?
Regarding the advice given by the old priest to Toyoo:
“But you, yourself, fell victim to their temporary form due to a lack of courage and spirit. From now on, if you act like a man and try to attain a more tranquil heart, you will not need to depend on my power in order to get rid of such evil spirits. Make your heart peaceful with all your might,” said Akinari.
It can be presumed that common wisdom about love lies in the ability to overcome falsehoods that conceal a being’s true spiritual nature. This requires both courage, as advised by the priest, and the spirit to conquer obstacles that hinder one’s innermost desires, which they are unwilling to forfeit.
Cited Works
Richard Lane, Yoshida Hambei, and William Theodore De Bary are all authors who have contributed to the book titled Five Women Who Loved Love,” which was published by C.E. Tuttle Co. in 1973. The book also includes works by Ihara Saikaku.
Ueda Akinari’s Tales of Moonlight and Rain” was published by the University of British Columbia Press in Vancouver in 1974.
