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Vivian Tu
9 October 2017
at Amijima. This story was told through puppet theater, which was the main way of storytelling
back in seventeenth century Japan. The story entails of a paper merchant named Jihei who
struggles with his filial relations and his relations with Koharu, a prostitute. Because of their
devotion to one another, Jihei and Koharu journey on their last day in hopes of becoming
Buddha.
Though subtle, the idea of Buddhism compels these two characters to commit a lovers
suicide, which is an act that was prominent during this time. There was the notion that ...[their]
souls will not decay, no matter how often theyre reborn [and] their souls will be married and
never part (87). The premise of the story revolves around Jiheis decision to remove himself
from his family in order to be with Koharu. As the quote states, a lovers suicide will allow their
souls to peacefully be together even though their relationship was despised while they were
alive. This belief relates to samsara, which is the idea of salvation after death. Jihei and Koharu
suffer from their faith as star-crossed lovers, but their will to be together, according to samsara,
will eventually come through, and they will be together in their next life.
Along with the idea of samsara, the story emphasizes the Tenth Month, the month in
which the gods are not present in Japan. The setting of the story takes place in the Tenth Month,
specifically, in the Ten Nights, the perfect time to become Buddha. The fact that Jihei and
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Koharu plan their lovers suicide on the Ten Nights, there is the notion of trying to achieve
Enlightenment. In the end of the story, Jihei lays Koharu down ...with her head to the north,
face to the west, lying on her right side (68). This position mimics the state that Buddha was
found when he passed on. In a way, this implies that Enlightenment can be achieved even if one
has sinned in their life. Jihei and Koharu sinned by wanting to be together, yet their devout
This idea of Enlightenment is juxtaposed with the idea of giri, the sense of social
obligation. Giri is profound throughout the story, as this compels the characters to react in a
certain way. From the beginning of the story, Koharu felt obliged to Osan, Jiheis wife. Osan did
not want Jihei to kill himself, and as a result, asks Koharu to put on an act that she does not love
him. Koharu accepts, since Osan is Jiheis wife and his family. Thus, when Jihei and Koharu
were preparing for their lovers suicide, Koharu laments for Jihei, since she felt that she was
betraying Osan. However, Jihei cuts his hair and retorts that he is ... unencumbered by wife,
children, or worldly possessions [she owes Osan] no obligations (66). The fact that he cuts
off his top knot symbolizes that he removed all ties with his family. He only lives, in spirit, for
Koharu.
This story reflects the consequences that Enlightenment entails. While you are gaining
salvation, there are also people or things that you have to give up in that process. Jihei sacrifices
his time with his family in order to be with Koharu, while Koharu gives up her nineteen year old
life in order to be with Jihei. Ultimately, this story demonstrates the will they had to conquer
Work Cited
Monzaemon, Chikamatsu. The Love Suicides at Amijima. The Longman Anthology of World
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Literature. Vol. D., edited by David Damrosch, David L. Pike, 2009, pp. 44-68.