Asian Studies

Japanese culture has long been steeped with influence and belief in the supernatural, with many of their practices  just like in many other cultures  revolving around these supernatural beliefs. As such, the influence of the supernatural has found its way into many aspects of Japanese living from formalities to pleasantries, business to pleasure and perhaps the most significant reflection of their supernatural influences, the rich, magical world of Japanese literature.

Being among the most isolated of cultures during its early stages of development long before globalization, Japan was able to develop and cultivate a highly definitive and original literary culture steeped with influences of the supernatural. This isolation and independence was also what gave rise to the Japan that it is today  one which remains one of the leading superpowers in the world whilst maintaining a humble and down-to-earth manner steeped in tradition and beliefs well reflected in every aspect of the nation most especially in its literature.

One such example of the supernatural at work in Japanese literature is Ueda Akinaris collection of short stories entitled Ugetsu Monogatari or Tales of Moonlight and Rain. Considered among the most popular and influential works of fiction of the Edo period which lasted from 1603 to 1868, Tales of Moonlight and Rain contained nine stories that revolved around the concept of the supernatural. Adapted from old Chinese ghost tales, Tales of Moonlight and Rain utilized the ancient Chinese yarns in a retelling by esteemed writer Ueda Akinari. Setting the stories in Japan Ueda Akinaris version of the Chinese tales in Tales of Moonlight and Rain made use of historical people and places as well as traditional literary works.

In one such story entitled Asaji Ga Yado or The Reed-choked House, the main character is haunted by the ghost of his wife whom he abandoned to seek better pastures for his then starting out family. As he returned though, he meets the ghost of his wife and remains haunted and bothered until such time that he had realized the folly of his ways. By then he had already suffered from the haunting of the ghost of his wife. This shows how much Ueda Akinari inculcates a moral lesson in the story as to preach the word of nativism or kokugaku  that which school of thought and philosophical understanding that he subscribes to.

Another story of particular note is the one entitled Shiramine, which featured prominent historical figures that helped deliver the message of responsibility and integrity. The first protagonist is Saigyo, who was also known by his birth name, Sato Norikiyo. Saigyo was a world renowned and well respected Buddhist monk famous for his poetry. The other main character is Sutoku, a former emperor who was abdicated and banished. Both men played parts in Shiramine to tell another cautionary tale telling of the consequences of actions being taken by men.

Other stories in the collection tell their tales in the same manner, each by centering on a supernatural event  ghosts haunting characters in efforts to have them experience life-changing epiphanies and the like - and yet ultimately reaching a moral lesson to educate and serve as reminders for those who live in the real world, as planned by Ueda Akinari.

At first glance, one would think that the stories basically center on the supernatural, but a closer, more educated analysis of Ueda Akinaris work would determine that despite basing the stories on supernatural themes, the aim of the stories were actually to imbibe lessons for the present and perhaps the future in order for them to achieve a sense of responsibility and awareness that would impact the moral and ethical development of individuals and in turn, humanity  a goal that couldnt be any more real by means of the unreal.