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The book is a wonderful anthology of short stories by famous modern writers such
as Kawabata Yasunari , Dazai Osamu and Enchi Fumiko. Anthology is edited by Ueda
Makoto, the Professor of Japanese.
When Japanese write stories about the women of Japan, mother is once seen as
a central character - a giver, breeder, a certain symbol of mercy. A certain
goddess. In The Mother of Dreams, Ooka Shohei writes a curious story of a young
boy who is stuck in the bed in fever. The story is a tranquil description of his
love to his mother. A bit oedipal love, perhaps, but very natural and gentle
description of his mother's care.
Ooka Shohei is actually not the only modern writer that talks about oedipal
love. Tanizaki Junichiro once wrote short story Bridge of Dreams which was a
story of a young boy who fell in love with his own stepmother. Perhaps this is
the reason why Professor Ueda chose the title from the story of Ooka Shohei, The
Mother of Dreams.
In his story Marriage Interview, Inoue Yasushi describes a traditional
Japanese arranged marriage, omiai. Its cheerful and optimistic story of a young
couple who wonders the meaning of life.
"The most wonderful aesthetic products of Japan, Lafcadio Hearn wrote in
1904, "are not its ivories, nor its bronzes, nor its porcelains, nor its swords,
nor any of its marvels in metal or laqcuer - but its women. In equating women
with precious objects, Hearn was restating the popular myth about Japanese women
prevalent in the West during the second half of the nineteenth century." Kaiko
Takeshi's nostalgic and heartbreaking story A Certain Voice , describes American
occupied Japan. A Japanese girl falls in love with American soldier Henry and
waits for his letter. A local prostitutes hear about her relationship, and beat
her and torture her. The story is a heartbreaking description of violence and
exhausted people.
Harada Yasuko writes about family in financial despair in her story Evening
Bells. In her story she describes feelings of young, musically talented girl.
She is waiting for her father to come back home, playing impromptu by piano.
When her father once arrives, she hears news that his father's debt is too big
and they have to give up the house, furniture and their land. In this story, the
father seems to take place of a mother, showing the gentle care. Perhaps this
story describes motherhood as a concept. I was so impressed by Professor Ueda's
intelligence to choose this story among others.
"A new collection of short stories by Japan's best writers, including
Novelist Kawabata Yasunari, Ariyoshi Sawako, and Abe Kobo, on women--- " women
who have dignity but have to pay the price for it." -- NY Times Book Review
Transformation from postwar Japan to a modern day is one of the most fantastic
things in this book. Book begins with the section called The Maiden and ends
with The Working Woman. The book describes a transformation of the woman's
psyche through the very different ages. This has not been an easy path.
Quoting Professor Ueda, "Still as late as in 1908, a newspaper cartoon
entitled "Professions of Women" shows only fifteen occupations as suitable. The
were flower girl, telephone operator, drugstore attendant, babysitter,
professional storyteller, wet nurse, woman gangster, concubine, prostitute,
dancer, seamstress, masseuse, laundress, office secretary, and circus girl."
The Mother of Dreams, edited by Professor Ueda is both realistic and
beautiful portrayal of women in Japan. Japanese women have been a myth both in
Western world and in Japan for centuries. And they still are, although their
daily tasks remind western woman more and more.
Lady of the Evening Faces, written by Hiraiwa Yumie makes a fine closing for
this anthology. Unfortunately this book has been hard to get especially outside
Japan.
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