The Significance of Time in Japanese Literature Essay

Introduction

Time is considered a significant aspect of human life as it can change almost everything. In literature, time is a theme mostly linked with changes in the environment and individual perceptions. Most literary works consider time as a powerful tool that could be used to implement changes in character development, plot, and themes, as it can cause changes if effectively utilized. In modern Japanese literature, time was used to propagate a narrative and to keep the audience updated.

The authors used the tool to show the readers and shift them from one plot to the other, outlining the various issues the characters experienced throughout the narrative. Most modern Japanese literature links historical events with creative narratives. Such aspects made the theme of time a critical input in their narrations as it enabled them to attain the perceived intentions in presenting their stories. For example, the theme of time is effectively utilized in Nagai Kafu’s short story “A Strange Tale from East of the River”, where the author narrates his strange experience with the people in Yoshiwara.

Discussion

The theme of time takes center stage in the narration as all the events outlined in the tale are attached to time. This aspect is evident as Kafu chose a narrative writing style to recount encounters he experienced while navigating the city of Yoshiwara, where he spent most of his life.¹ The writing style made it easy for him to make time an essential tool as the events explained through the narration take place at different times.

The progressive nature of the events makes it easy for the audience to keep track of time to observe the changes that happened to the characters involved and the environments around them. The author also gives specific dates and the number of days that pass from one event to the other enabling the readers to keep track of the flow of events in the narrative. By attaching dates to different objects used in the narrative, the reader can relate the activities undertaken in the community to an actual historical timeline.

One of the reasons why the theme of time is critical in the narrative is because the author intends to relate the events in the narrative to an actual historical period. Such aspects are evident in the story as the author utilizes actual dates of newspapers to refer to the actual time relating to an event.² In addition, the use of time makes it easy for the reader to learn about the various things that happened within a specific period.

Among the tools the narrator actively uses to refer to time is the use of newspapers produced. For example, when the narrator visits a secondhand book store in Yoshirawa, he comes upon the first issue of the Literary Club, which was first published in 1895.³ In addition, the narrator was given a copy of The Hotan Gazette, which was registered in 1879. Such magazines play a critical role in the narrative as they inform the audience about the various forms of media present during the time the story was published. Furthermore, such aspects mean that during the time the events in the narration were happening, there existed a printing press which was the only means of information recording and sharing.

In addition, the author utilizes the theme of time to show the technological transformation that happened within the time captured in the narrative. The narrator opens the story with the statement, “I almost never go to see a motion picture,” which indicates that he lived in an era when motion pictures started to develop.⁴ The statement with the dates linked to the different magazines that the narrator gets at the initial stages indicates that the story might have been written in the early 20^th century. This can be attributed to the fact that that was the time motion pictures were presumed to start being developed. Such aspects enable the readers to relate to the level of technology that existed during that time.

The narrator complains of being attacked by Bungei Shinju magazine in 1929, meaning the narrative was published during that period. The author hints at the advancement of technology on different occasions to show that time had passed between the various scenes of the narrative. Reading through the text shows that information sharing transformed from sending letters, as evident in the middle of the narrative, to developing a public telephone booth at the end. Such transformations show that the narrative captures events at different times.

As changes were experienced in technology, so did the environment surrounding the characters portrayed throughout the narrative. The description of the environment narrative’s beginning is entirely different from the view of the things the narrator observes as the tale progresses. At the tale’s beginning, the narrator describes Asakusa as part of the town where one can see most of the moving picture billboards.

The narrator describes the Kototoi Bridge as narrow, leading to the development of long traffic, especially during the late hours.⁵ Towards the story’s end, the narrator describes the expansion of the roads, which is part of the economic development experienced in the region over time. The narrator describes the transformation in town structures, which are perceived to change over the years, showing how time changes are linked to the city’s local development and environment. Such changes are linked to changes in the economic activities experienced in the areas, which can be explained through the advancement of brothels and the services they provide.

A critical analysis of the narrator indicates that his perception of the things that happened around him changed with time. During the first sections of the story, the narrator can be described as a conservative character in the middle adulthood stage. This is because he does not want to engage with those who work in the brothels as he perceives the activity as unethical.⁶ Such traits are experienced when he encounters a young woman in her twenties who offers herself to him but rejects the offer, believing it is not an honorable act.

Despite having such an opportunity where he was only to pay some yens and get the services, he does not fall for her trap. Such a perception significantly changes as time passes, and he becomes empathetic towards the women who offer services in the different quarters. Toward the end of the narrative, the narrator confesses feeling guilty for using O-Yuki, stating that she deserves a better life and that no one should similarly treat her despite her being a prostitute. The narrator’s perception of O-Yuki as different shows how he had stated being considerate towards why some women would engage in such activities despite being considered unethical.

In addition, the story shows that time is a factor that can change every aspect of human life. Throughout the narrative, cases of behavioral changes are experienced through the examination of time. The narrator’s character experiences a variety of changes across the story which can be attributed to time. At first, he is happy about being a bachelor at his age and does not consider having any children or even looking for a house as his permanent residence.⁷ In the process, he enjoys taking rooms at different quarters where he resides as he encounters other minor characters in the story. The narrator’s character significantly changes when he meets with O-Yuki, to whom he becomes highly attached even after having perfect knowledge that she worked in the quarters.

Character change is also experienced in O-kaya as the information about her past is brought into the limelight. O-kaya’s interaction with the narrator increases her dedication to leaving work in the quarters. Further, the communication evokes O-kaya’s willingness to move in with the narrator, who promises to stay in the same room, targeting sexual favors.⁸ Such transformation can be attributed to the changes in time where the characters can interact with other members of society, making them change their view on the things happening around them.

The author utilizes different tools to explain the changes in time and its essence throughout the story. The tale utilizes aspects like climatic changes, poetry, and human activities as the leading indicators of time. The changes in seasons represent different times of the year when the narrator undertakes different activities throughout the story. The rain in the narrative and the experiences of hot summer at the end of the narrative show seasonal changes that are only experienced at different times of the year.⁹ The author opts to use climatic changes to symbolize the changes in time and to show the various transformations that have developed with time throughout the narrative.

In addition, the narrators writing activities are also used in the narrative to keep track of time. For example, the narrator refers to his writing practices to tell the reader how much time has passed between different events. Such aspects are evident as the narrator occasionally refers to the novel titled Whereabouts Unknown to show how the things happening around him have made the time pass and distracted him from undertaking his writing. In addition, the author incorporates poems at the end of the story to symbolize the significance of time in human life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Nagai Kafu’s short story “A Strange Tale from East of the River” shows how time played a critical role in the success of modern Japanese narratives. Most of the activities undertaken in the narrative utilize the use of time to make the narrative a success. Such aspects are evident as the consideration of time played a critical role in the choice of the writing style used in the narrative. In addition, most of the activities captured in the narrative are achieved through time. Consideration of time in the narrative has enabled the author to show how technology, urban development, infrastructure, individual perceptions, and characters change throughout the story. In addition, the author utilizes aspects like climatic changes, poetry, and human activities to keep track of time and to show how it can impact human lives.

Bibliography

Nagai, Kafū and Seidensticker, Edward. A Strange Tale from East of the River. Vermont: C.E. Tuttle, 1972.

Footnotes

1. Kafū Nagai and Edward Seidensticker A Strange Tale from East of the River. (Vermont: C.E. Tuttle, 1972), 285.
2. Nagai and Seidensticker A Strange Tale, 282.
3. Nagai and Seidensticker A Strange Tale, 284.
4. Nagai and Seidensticker A Strange Tale, 287.
5. Nagai and Seidensticker A Strange Tale, 295.
6. Nagai and Seidensticker A Strange Tale, 298-311.
7. Nagai and Seidensticker A Strange Tale, 305-307.
8. Nagai and Seidensticker A Strange Tale, 310.
9. Nagai and Seidensticker A Strange Tale, 312.