The Ambiguity Of Death In Kawabata's Life

Similar to how the tea vessels used in Japan’s sanctimonious tea ceremonies showcase their unique imperfections, Kawabata does not shy away from the unattractive attributes of life and death in Thousand Cranes. Death permeates the entire novel; it lingers in the past and poses a threat to the future. While Mrs. Ota’s death proves to be significant in terms of plot, Kawabata’s terse and ambiguous style leads to the question as to whether or not Mrs. Ota’s suicide was the only event that had the power to change the route of Kikuji and Fumiko’s futures. After Mrs. Ota’s suicide, readers quickly notice her death’s effects on Kikuji. Initially, her absence leads Kikuji to aimlessly drift through his life. Kawabata states that “now, as [Kikuji]

For a moment, there is a chance Kikuji will find refuge in passivity towards her death. This is not the case considering he mentions that “worrying oneself over the dead—was it in most cases a mistake, not

Mrs. Ota’s death certainly leads Fumiko onto a new path in her life, but it is unclear if it is beneficial or not. For instance, she claims “‘[she] was very bitter [herself]—[she] thought that no matter how she had been misunderstood, death could not be the answer. Death only cuts off understanding. No one can possibly forgive that’” (Kawabata 77). Clearly, Fumiko, at some point, plunged into confusion and anger. The wariness towards her mother’s maturity and rationality is only confirmed by her suicide. Throughout the novel, Fumiko rarely expresses any hatred, envy, or rage. The fact that she became “bitter” due to her mother’s death implies that the event shifted her perspective towards Mrs. Ota. Kawabata heavily suggests the idea that Mrs. Ota’s suicide was the main factor in Fumiko’s resolution to not follow her mother’s footsteps. Even then, her mother’s ghost burdens Fumiko. When she is about to use the Shino bowl, Fumiko claims that “‘Mother won’t let [her]’” before she shatters it (Kawabata 142). The broken bowl indicates that she has decided to cut her ties with Kikuji. The passage does not go into details as to what Fumiko is even referring to but readers can conclude that her mother’s suicide has power over Fumiko’s decisions. Due to the obscurity of Fumiko’s words, it is unclear as to whether or not her choice to end her relationship with Kikuji