The Mother of Dreams

Portrayals of Women in Modern Japanese Fiction

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.

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.

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.

The book is published by Kodansha. Read more: http://www.thejapanpage.com and
http://www.kodansha-intl.co.jp.

Comments