Japanese Literature Essay

2. Individualism has been seen as a characteristic feature of the upstart world. How do we see the issue of mortalism being dealt with in the whole shebang we deport read? Discuss examples of individualism in both advance(a) and pre-modern texts. In the works we have read, the characteristic of individualism has played a reinforced role in the lives and decisions of three characters in particular. The characters Basho, Chockichi, and Okada all demonstrate similar acts of individualism in their own stories as they depart not just now from their homes but overly the traditions that have helped shape their lives for many years.These characters open behind the familial and societal values that were vastly reach in lacquerese tradition. With their decisions to be individuals, they obtain impertinently attitudes and standards that relate to, money, education and security. The new values attitudes are what brought Japan into a modern way of sen cartridge holdernt and left(p) old values and traditions behind. Individualism is the belief in the primary coil immenseness of the individual and the virtues of self reliance and personal dependence. Basho shows his independence by going his home front and traveling north.He does this in hostelry to see new places, visit sites of earlier poets, and to spread his views. For Basho traveling is a way of life, and because he travels alone one could say that Basho is very overmuch an independent individual. throughout Bashos Narrow Road it seems as if on that point is a lack of great deal he forgathers on such a long journey. The reader does not know if this is because Basho chooses to leave out the plenty he meets from his story or because he truly does not encounter many. In any way, the lack of people in the story puts the set off solely on the main character, Basho.With this, Basho rejoices in his individualism by expiry against traditional Japanese values and the unknown. Basho can be described as a pr e-modern individual. His journeys are not for money or to enhance his tender status they are for his own personal benefit in roll to see more of Japan and to become inspired by temper and its beautiful environs. Traveling for Basho is his life, unlike many traditions of Japan where supporting a family and working are a way of life, he chooses a disparate path. By this Basho chooses a life that is centered around himself and based on personal dependence and happiness.This lets him an individual in all of the things that he does because he bases his decisions solely on himself. Being an individual Basho puts himself somewhat before his time in terms of Japanese culture. The worries of money and social expectation do not concern him, he is more concerned with being at one with nature and finding inspiration within Japanese surround which truly set him apart from his fellow citizens. In The River Sumida, Chokichi plays the role of an individual. He does this in more of a modern co ntext rather than Basho did in Bashos Narrow Road.Chockichi aspires to be an actor and wants to follow his dreams of doing so. His conflict comes when his catch demands him to go to school in bless for him to be an office worker. She does this because she knows the importance of money and that Chokichi having a stable job it will ensure their future. Throughout the story Chokichi strives to be an individual and not let money and the separate stresses of society hinder his dreams. Though he hated school, ? could he truly bare it, all this learning? School was not the place to conk him happiness he wished for.Learning was quite unrelated happiness-it came to Chokichi for the first time(193), he knew that he had to follow his mothers orders. Therefore he decided to leave his surroundings and attend school. By this Chokichi had made a decision to be an individual and, instead of following his dreams, he pursued a polar career. Chokichis act of leaving home and going to school in o rder to make money for his family he went against the traditional Japanese values. By choosing to go to school he also chose the path of being an individual. Most people would have followed their dreams and done what they wanted with life.Chokichi, in contention with his mothers direction, chose a different path. Though he greatly disliked school he quiet down decided to attend. With this decision Chokichi should be deemed as an individual. He made a decision that not only went against Japanese values but also his own dreams. In the story Wild Geese, Okada plays the role of a strong individual who, throughout the story, follows traditional Japanese values and is a unsloped citizen. With the changing times and changing traditions of Japan Okada is faced with the decision of leaving his love Otama in order to go to Europe and pursue a career translating Chinese medical texts.Though the decision was hard, Okada decided to go to Europe alone and pursue his career. With this decision Okada stepped out of the traditions of Japan and became an individual. He leaves all of his values and knowledge of life at home and embarks on a new journey. This decision truly makes him an individual. It also makes the changes of attitudes and standards of old Japan a reality. In earlier times Okada would not have left his home or his love to pursue a career. His future would have already been planned out for him he would have followed not only the traditions of his family and their work, but also the early traditions of Japan.Okadas individualistic attitude and decisions make it clear that he wants to be on his own and follow a rarely traveled road. Okada provides a great example of people changing their values and traditions and following the path of the individual. Throughout the lives of Basho, Chokichi, and Okada it is evident that they have taken upon values of the modern world and become individuals. With this they leave behind a mark of change and a shift in values, atti tudes and standards that have been present for centurys among Japanese culture.