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Vivian Tu

9 October 2017

C&I 11A- Thinking Paper #2

Dr. Robin Tremblay-McGaw

Buddhism in Seventeenth Century Japan

As a Buddhist follower, I found interest in Chikamatsu Monzaemons The Love Suicides

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

spirituality in Buddhism theoretically allowed them to achieve salvation.

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

their physical being in order to spiritually be together.

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.

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