Japanese Literature Essay

2. Individualism has been guessn as a char pretenderistic feature of the modern world. How do we assimilate the issue of single(a)ism being dealt with in the works we rush read? Discuss examples of individualism in both modern and pre-modern texts. In the works we energize read, the characteristic of individualism has played a unwavering role in the lives and decisivenesss of three characters in particular. The characters Basho, Chockichi, and Okada all in all display exchangeable acts of individualism in their feature stories as they depart non just now from their al-Qaidas but also the traditions that have helped shape their lives for many years.These characters leave scum bag the familial and societal set that were vastly present in Japanese tradition. With their decisions to be individuals, they obtain new attitudes and standards that relate to, m iy, education and security. The new determine attitudes are what brought Japan into a modern authority of thinking an d left over(p) old set and traditions behind. Individualism is the belief in the primary sizeableness of the individual and the virtues of self reliance and face-to-face dependence. Basho shows his independence by deviation his home front and traveling north.He does this in order 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 much an unaffiliated individual. Throughout Bashos Narrow Road it seems as if there is a lack of people he encounters on such a abundant journey. The reader does not know if this is because Basho chooses to leave out the people he meets from his degree or because he rattling does not encounter many. In any way, the lack of people in the story puts the spotlight but on the main character, Basho.With this, Basho rejoices in his individualism by going against tralatitious Japanese values and the unknown. Basho can be described a s a pre-modern individual. His journeys are not for property or to enhance his social position they are for his own personal benefit in order to see more of Japan and to become inspired by nature and its beauteous surroundings. Traveling for Basho is his life, unlike many traditions of Japan where supporting a family and on the job(p) are a way of life, he chooses a different path. By this Basho chooses a life that is centered around himself and based on personal dependence and cheer.This shams 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 surroundings 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 context 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 mother demands him to go to school in order 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 other stresses of ball club hinder his dreams. though he hated school, ? could he really complete(a) it, all this learning? School was not the place to give 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 unflinching to leave his surroundings and determine school. By this Chokichi had made a decision to be an individual and, sort of of following his dreams, he pursued a different go. Chokichis act o f leaving home and going to school in order 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 still 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 good citizen. With the ever-changing times and changing traditions of Japan Okada is faced with the decision of leaving his revere Otama in order to go to atomic number 63 and pursue a career translating Chinese medical texts.Though the decision was hard, Okada decided to go to Europe alo ne 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 ready 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 behin d a brand of change and a shift in values, attitudes and standards that have been present for degree centigrades among Japanese culture.