The Author
Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725) was born into a samurai family and was originaly named Sugimore Nobumori. After his father abandoned his Samuria duties, the family feld to to Kyoto where they attached themselves to an aristicracy for protection. It was there where he was exposed to the theatre and grew up to write over a hundred plays. In 1705, he moved to Osake to write strictly for Takemoto Gidayu's Puppet Theatre until his death in 1725. He is still known as one of Japan's most famous playwrights.
Japanese Mythology of Suicide
Banraku
An Analysis of "The Love Suicides at Amijima"
Giri
Defined as sense of duty or obligation that arises from a social interaction with another person.
It has profound and ethical connotations.
Giri strongly governs Japanese behavior in all kinds of relationships. …show more content…
Religious Context: The Edo Period
Buddhism was the main religion of the Edo Period.
Based on four truths:
Truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.
Suffering - The existence of suffering is shown throughout the book with Jihei's money problems, his continous competition with Tahei for Koharu, and when Jehei's wife (Osan) struggles with the fact that her husband loves another woman.
Cause of suffering - Jihei's love for Koharu despite the fact that he is married.
End of suffering - When Jihei and Koharu commit suicide together.
Path that leads to end of suffering-When Osan is willing to give up all of her and her children's clothing to buy Koharu's freedom to keep her family name honorable - this leads to him and Koharu running away together to complete their promise of a lovers suicide.
The lotus is one of the more recognizable icons with mythology during the Edo time period.
In the story, Koharu tells Jihei that she hopes they are reborn from the same
Chikamatsu Monzaemon (1653-1725) was born into a samurai family and was originaly named Sugimore Nobumori. After his father abandoned his Samuria duties, the family feld to to Kyoto where they attached themselves to an aristicracy for protection. It was there where he was exposed to the theatre and grew up to write over a hundred plays. In 1705, he moved to Osake to write strictly for Takemoto Gidayu's Puppet Theatre until his death in 1725. He is still known as one of Japan's most famous playwrights.
Japanese Mythology of Suicide
Banraku
An Analysis of "The Love Suicides at Amijima"
Giri
Defined as sense of duty or obligation that arises from a social interaction with another person.
It has profound and ethical connotations.
Giri strongly governs Japanese behavior in all kinds of relationships. …show more content…
Religious Context: The Edo Period
Buddhism was the main religion of the Edo Period.
Based on four truths:
Truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.
Suffering - The existence of suffering is shown throughout the book with Jihei's money problems, his continous competition with Tahei for Koharu, and when Jehei's wife (Osan) struggles with the fact that her husband loves another woman.
Cause of suffering - Jihei's love for Koharu despite the fact that he is married.
End of suffering - When Jihei and Koharu commit suicide together.
Path that leads to end of suffering-When Osan is willing to give up all of her and her children's clothing to buy Koharu's freedom to keep her family name honorable - this leads to him and Koharu running away together to complete their promise of a lovers suicide.
The lotus is one of the more recognizable icons with mythology during the Edo time period.
In the story, Koharu tells Jihei that she hopes they are reborn from the same