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Chikamatsu Monzaemon's The Love Suicides At Amijima

1475 Words6 Pages

Chikamatsu Monzaemon’s play, The Love Suicides at Amijima explores the disgrace of Jihei and Koharu’s misbegotten romance, the underlying conflict of hidden innuendos aimed at the Japanese social class and the sense of honor and duty formed between two women from seemingly different backgrounds. In order to fully understand these themes, the reader must take into account the societal and familial structure placed upon individuals in Osaka, Japan during the 1720s. Within this culture, from birth, every individual was instilled with the notion of familial obligation, honor and duty. In addition, the adherence to various societal rules were also extremely important. Chikamatsu Monzaemon captures these themes and propels the reader into an intricately woven realm of Puppet Theater. …show more content…

Upon dissection of the main characters, Jihei, Koharu, Osan, and Tahei the reader can clearly see that these dynamic characters each have a different perspective of the meaning of love. Jihei’s misbegotten romance with Koharu ultimately leads to the demise of his relationship with his wife Osan. Although he loves her to a certain degree, he unapologetically lacks the ability to love her in the way that is expected in Japanese culture. The author leaves the reader to ponder many questions as it relates to Jihei and Koharu’s love. Does he truly love her?
“Save you honor! You talk like a human being! No-I can’t hold so much resentment and bitterness! I’ll kick her one in the face, a memory to treasure for the rest of my life.” (Monzaemon, Pg. 351) Does she in turn truly love him or does she just want out of the brothel and Jihei seems like the most likely way out? These two characters are living out a fantasy to escape various aspects of their lives (a loveless marriage and a life of

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