ipl-logo

Structure Of Iki Analysis

1321 Words6 Pages

Nguyen Tu Anh Topic: The duality in The Structure of Iki Among the ideals of Japanese aesthetics, iki is perhaps one of the most thoroughly analyzed, both as an abstract concept and a concrete expression, thanks to the influential work The Structure of Iki by Kuki Shuzo (1888 – 1941). Unlike other aesthetic ideals, which were usually reserved for the aristocrats, the warriors and the wealthy, iki originated among the urbane commoners of Edo, especially around the pleasure quarter in the eighteenth century. It is from this background, from the special relationship between the geisha and her patron that iki derives its unique characteristic – its duality. As this essay attempts to demonstrate, duality is the constant theme throughout Kuki’s analysis of iki, both in the content and the process of building the structure of this distinctive aesthetic concept. The dualities themselves in The Structure of Iki can be divided into two types: those of harmony and those of tension. We see most of the harmonious dualities in Kuki’s method of …show more content…

We can see that firstly in the intensional structure of iki, which is the combination of material and formal causes. Coquetry (bitai), the material cause, clearly emphasizes the dualistic nature of iki, which requires iki to exist in the relationship between two people of the opposite sexes (Mayeda, 2006, p.143). However, such relationship must always remain a “possible one”, which means even though both parties aim at conquering the other, that goal is actually never realized and they both maintain a certain distance from each other. As Kuki has stated in The Structure of Iki: “This dualistic possibility is the fundamental determinant for the being of coquetry, and coquetry disappears on its own accord when the opposite sexes unite totally and lose that source of tension” (Nara, 2004,

Show More
Related

Pride And Figurative Language In Joy Kogawa's Obasan

791 Words | 4 Pages

As the narrative shifts to memories of a young child, the accounts of the Japanese culture are more vividly detailed. The narrator can recollect the very specific details of her life; for example, she can remember how she was wearing “a wine-colored dirndl skirt with straps that criss cross at the back” during this one specific account. Throughout this journey, the narrator is surrounded by complete strangers; however, their fates are all the same, as “not [one] on this journey returns home again.” Despite such a depressing time period in the lives of many of the Japanese, the Japanese mannerism of respect still remains, as the narrator refers to strangers as “ojisan” or “obasan”. This honorary title for even strangers shows the respect that the Japanese have for one another and even the pride they still withhold for their culture, even in a time of

Read More

The Rape Of Nanking By Iris Chang: Summary

1592 Words | 7 Pages

The Rape of Nanking is an important work of historical non-fiction written by Iris Chang. Although it is clear that she is passionate about the subject, Chang gives a balanced account. She does not condemn the entire Japanese people for what occurred but does take issue with modern-day Japan’s effort–with the exception of a few brave individuals–to deny or cover up the truth. This book was instrumental in bringing greater attention in the Western world to Japanese

Read More

When The Emperor Was Divine Thesis

1180 Words | 5 Pages

‘I was a girl again. I was five years old again and fishing for trout with my father.’” (94-95) Julie Otsuka uses sensory imagery of the woman’s childhood in Japan to evoke the mood of longing because it allows the reader to understand the woman's emotions and her struggle with her confinement in the internment camp. Through the woman’s recollection of her childhood, she can think of happier times instead of her current situation which has been very hard on her mental health. Through the comfort and

Read More

Analysis Of An Excerpt From Obasan By Joy Kogawa

406 Words | 2 Pages

Due to this, Kogawa gives life to her story and obtains the sympathy of her audience. The structure of these descriptions is loaded with long sentences that describe the experiences of being in a large group. Her language is sensitive, incisive, and melancholy. Kogawa chooses details that talk in images as well as emotions, comparing the wronged subjects to “fragments of fragments” and the “silences that speak from stone”. Despite the fact Kogawa explains they are “the despised rendered voiceless”, we realize that stories such as hers give these survivors and deceased a voice.

Read More

Compare And Contrast Tan And Hurston

1409 Words | 6 Pages

For instance, her famous novel ‘The Joy Luck Club’ depicts the Chinese mother and her American daughter relationship where they go through various circumstances trying to understand each other including the evolvement that comes in their relationships as the daughters know more about their mother’s life stories. Secondly, Tan considers the theme of identity in terms of Chinese immigrants and their life experiences as an immigrant in the United States. She reveals how the children born to the immigrants strive in an environment which is a mixture of American and Chinese influence. Moreover, Tan is found to have explored identity issues through her fictive creations and tackled the issue of authorial identity (Becnel, 2010). Similarly, romantic love is another subject included in the literary artworks of Amy Tan which considers the relationships and romance an important aspect of human’s life.

Read More

Summary Of Yellow Woman And A Beauty Of The Spirit

791 Words | 4 Pages

In “Yellow Woman and a Beauty of the Spirit” by Leslie Marmon Silko, a whole different manner of existence is brought to life through the author’s vibrant account of growing up amidst the Laguna Pueblo people. Although the ways of society in the Laguna people’s world may seem new and foreign to many readers, Silko’s story makes the reasoning behind the Pueblo traditions powerfully clear. Through the use of a structure that centers around reflections and references to the past, the author effectively delivers her points in a manner that is clear, convincing, and engaging. Silko begins her narration with a simple statement from her past: “From the time I was a small child, I was aware that I was different” (Page 60).

Read More

The Thousand Hand Guan-Yin Summary

530 Words | 3 Pages

The Thousand Hand Guan-yin is the Buddhist Goddess of Compassion and Mercy. She was a woman who reached Nirvana, who is believed to have stayed behind on earth to help others reach Nirvana.. In the video performance of the thousand hand Guan-Yin the people were all wearing the same color. This represents the unity among the differences that is representational of the Guan-Yin and the Buddhist beliefs about peace in Nirvana, despite the outside world’s state of being. The videos use of males and females shows the fluidity of the Guan-Yin who is believed to be neither male nor female.

Read More

Review Of Jake Addelstein's Memoir 'Tokyo Vice'

475 Words | 2 Pages

Jake Addelstein’s memoir starts with his early debut within the Yomiuri Shinbun. He previously wrote a few articles in his university’s newspaper in Japan but this new work makes him realize how the Japanese language stills challenging. He first

Read More

Comparing Lion King II: An Allusion To Romeo And Juliet

859 Words | 4 Pages

Shakespeare displays this through the death of Romeo and Juliet. When the couple killed themselves for the other, the two houses realized how foolish they were with their hatred. Ultimately they accepted each other as equals when Lord Capulet exclaims, “O brother Montague, give me thy hand” (5.3.313) and Lord Montague replies, “For I will raise her statue in pure gold / There shall no figure at such rate be set / As that of true and faithful Juliet” (5.3.315-318). In a similar fashion, Kovu and Kiara’s love helped end the Pridelanders and Outlanders differences.

Read More

Dr Hyde Duality

1026 Words | 5 Pages

This dualism empowered an entirely scientific study of physical science to occur where each reality in the material world was to be clarified on premise of estimations. In this plan, the mind is inconceivable and accordingly not open to either understanding or

Read More

The Samurai's Influence On Culture And Culture In Japan

932 Words | 4 Pages

From the Kamakura Period of the late twelfth century to the Meiji Restoration in the nineteenth century, the samurai have held prominent positions as noble warriors in Japanese society. They have come to be famous in modern, Western pop culture as the fierce, stoic guards of feudal Japan, but their practices and rituals extended beyond wielding katanas and donning impressive armor. Samurai practices were rich and complex, with strict codes, ritual suicide, and a history of influencing culture and politics (“Samurai”). Samurai code was influenced by traditional Japanese culture, Zen Buddhism, and Confucianism. Bushido, or “Way of the Warrior,” was the code of conduct the samurai class were expected to uphold.

Read More

Contrapasso In Dantes Inferno

1345 Words | 6 Pages

The shift between structured storytelling and deep imagery is prominent and intentional. The act of Aligeri sharing imagery in distinct bursts mimics the human nature to open one;s eyes or keep looking at prolonged horror. The delivery of such lines through poetic rhythm dances with the reader’s heart. “clawed themselves, their nails drew down the scabs the way a knife scrapes bream…” (Inf.

Read More

Examples Of Rationalism In Princess Mononoke

1246 Words | 5 Pages

Princess Mononoke is a Japanese historical-fantasy animation movie made by Hayao Miyazaki, the director of Studio Ghibli in 1997. The film setting is considered around 1336-1573 in Muromachi Period where people believes gods and demons in a forest are exist and significant role for their lives, while, at the same, innovations in industry and commerce such as use of a gun were taking place. There are many themes you can see in this movie such as human-nature relationship, industrialization, environmental problems and discrimination. In this paper, I would like to talk about Japanese mysticism v. rationalism that are argued in this master piece.

Read More

Agnes Martin: Abstract Expressionism, And Feminism

1835 Words | 8 Pages

Both Fujii and Mori reflect on history, specifically in Japan. Martin’s idea development seems to be less factual and more subjective. If Martin really saw and heard things that other people did not, then that would take away some of the common connection of humans. In Fujii’s and Mori’s work, people of all histories and cultures can find value and connection in the artwork. While Fujii bases his work off of war, disaster, and social events, Mori bases her work off of religion, technology and societal values.

Read More

Matsuo Bashō's The Narrow Road To The Deep North

957 Words | 4 Pages

In this work, the author does a magnificent job of representing his culture which allows readers to gain new knowledge regarding a culture they were not exposed to before. When I read Bashō’s work, I became fascinated by the concept of impermanence and the Japanese culture’s focus on it. Today, many people are too focused on the past or the future instead of realizing that time will always go on and bring new experiences. Also, individuals should educate themselves when it comes to cultures that aren’t their own and literature has the power give readers that understanding. Bashō’s work of art will continue to offer a beautiful representation of the Japanese culture that enthralls readers

Read More

More about Structure Of Iki Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document