Donald Keene Essay Example

as police. Heian period is often described as the golden age in Japan. Most of the Japanese history was written during this era.

From the book, pages 97 to 105 contain a story titled the “Mother of Michitsuna: Kagero Nikki”. Pages 106 to 106, has a story titled “Murasaki Shikibu: Tugao (from the Tale of Genji)”. To start with, the story Mother of Michitsuna by Kagero Nikki has several characters whose behaviors and actions evoke several ideas about the history of Japan. Mitchuna, the wife of Fujiwara Keneie is unhappy with her marriage (Keene, 130) . This reflects the history of Heian woman and how they were engaged in unsatisfying marriages. As a result, some women were forced to chance their attitude towards existence. Most of the marriages during this era were characterized by anti-romantic relationships. Fujiwara was an emperor. However, he could not understand the political potential in their family for succession (Keene, 103). This was the main reason of their marital problems and misunderstanding.

The amorphous nature of many marriages made them to end in undefined divorce. Nevertheless, the main cause of unromantic relationship was often caused by husbands who were engaged in multiple liaisons with other women. Thus, women would not find solace and passion from their husband, when they needed it most (Keene, 99). On the same, marriages were not formalized. The writer states that, when a woman would visit the man three times, the couples were considered married. Consecutively, there were no formalities that were followed, when divorce was taking place. This reduced the instability of most marriages. Unsuuccessful love attempts are seen in the story that affects the major characters

negatively. However, Kagero does not raise an objection that she is a second wife. She defends institutions of marriage as they form the basis of our families (Keene, 102). She argues that our behaviors in a marriage have a direct influence on stability of marriage.

Murasaki Shikibu by Tugao is another story in the book. This story is drawn from the tale of Genji. It was written, when the capital was at Heian-Kyo. The hero of the story is Genji. He is the son of the emperor. Kiritsubo also considered him as his favorite concubine. Genji’s mother dies as a result of rivalry (Keene, 120). After the death, the emperor is distraught by the fateful events and loss of his love. Fortunately, the emperor makes Genji a commoner making him a member of the loyal family. Although handsome and gifted, he is feared by Lady Kokiden and her family. Later, the emperor dies and is replaced by Lady Kokiden’s son. Meanwhile, Genji is sent away from the capital as he is linked with some scandals in court. However, he is able to return to the capital. Courtesy of Murasaki among other ladies, he is able to influence the court. He is preoccupied with advancing his family at the court (Keene, 130). He is persuaded to marry the Third Princes who later gave birth to a son.

From the analysis of these two stories, it is evident that the most prevailing theme is love and relationships. However, Keene analyses them from a historical point of view. Some of the events involved such as emperors, marrying, divorce, hereditary and leadership depicts the historical development of Japan during Heian

period.