Torn Between Two Generations Bo Garrett History 396 Noell Wilson October 18, 2012

Torn Between Two Generations

The book, Some Prefer Nettle,s presents conflict between the Western way of life and the traditional Japanese culture. The story revolves around the marriage between Kaname and Misako, whose loveless life is partly traceable to the conflict that exists in their distinct world viewpoints. Although they are in an unhappy relationship, they are reluctant to divorce, both being aware that the society would not look at such a prospect favorably. Their marriage presents an internal conflict whose roots are in the Japanese transition from the traditional culture to the modernity, and which reflects in the main theme of the book. Due to the prevailing circumstances, Kaname and Misako continue playing their different roles as man and wife while displaying an outward appearance of a happy Japanese couple. The precarious nature of their relationship was as if they held a basin of water balanced between them and waited to see in which direction it would spill (Tanizaki, 1981). Kaname, his father in law and O-Hisa are the main characters that represent the desire to the return to the traditional Japanese culture. Kanames intrigue with the traditional Japanese culture happens through his father in law as a result of his strong sense of the Old Japanese

Torn Between Two Generations culture. This is despite his previous Tokyo influence which had made him abandon everything that he considered traditional. Through the influence of his father in law, Kaname goes to the

puppet theater, which is a relic of the traditional Japan. At the theater, he finds himself admiring the performances of the puppeteers and also the entire play. The view that Kaname has regarding the theater during and after the performances reflects the authors fascination with the Japanese past. It was far from the brightness of a Hollywood movie. Rather it was low burnished radiance, easy to miss, pulsing out from beneath the overlays of the centuries (Tanizaki, 1981). Kanames fascination with traditional Japan is also reflected when he finds that he does not enjoy reading the book Arabian Nights, which he had borrowed from his cousin. As he reads the book, he discovers that he does not enjoy it any longer. At one time, he also pays a visit to the Geisha House and discovers that he no longer enjoys it as he did before. While his wife is immersed in modern materialistic desires, Kaname becomes increasingly under the influence of Japanese traditional culture and adopts practices such as wearing a kimono. He also develops an appreciation of O-Hisa, his father in-law mistress, who does not wear Western clothes and represents a traditional sense of submissiveness, Kaname sees O-Hisa as a vision lest behind from a feudal age (Tanizaki, 1981). In the book, men, women, and various generations have different experiences in the return to the traditional Japanese culture. Although the book is mainly written from a male perspective and women do not appear to have well-developed as characters, the archetypes that have been presented by the author reflect his mind. One of the main characters in the book, OHisa appears to be a hesitant practitioner of traditional Japanese value and her behavior arises out of the influence that Misakos father has on her. Although her deep feelings prefer a modern

Torn Between Two Generations lifestyle, she still finds herself practicing a traditional lifestyle including being instructed on the practice of Geisha. Through her character, she also becomes a strong influence on Kaname. Kanames father- in -law is a product of the Edo culture, which presents a different generation from that of her daughter and son- in -law. His link to the traditional Japanese lifestyle is traceable to this culture which Kaname initially finds reviling and prefers Hollywood which For all its vulgaritywas forever dancing attendance on women and seeking out new ways to display their beauty (Tanizaki, 1981). While the older generation is a product of the old culture, the younger generations who return are influenced by the older generation. This influence is captured as Kaname watches O-Hisa and reflects on her present character, Fifty years ago, a hundred years ago, a woman like her, dressed in the same kimono, was perhaps going down this same street in the spring sun, lunch in hand, on her way to the theatre beyond the river. Or perhaps, behind one of these latticed fronts, she was playing Snow on her koto. O-hisa was a shade left behind by another age (Tanizaki, 1981). Some Prefer Nettles, shows Tokyo as the representation of the modern Japanese society, while other cities such as Kyoto and Osaka are a reflection of a distinct class, time, and generation. Kanames visits to the Japanese countryside act as the triggers to his questioning of his own identity. In addition, the author gives perspectives of tradition and Westernization in different cities. The generational conflict is evident in episodes such as Kaname and his partner listening to jazz and Kaname and his father in law attending the Bunraku Theater. Tanizaki offers his conclusion regarding the benefits and probability of the whole of Japan returning to their traditional culture. A return to the Japanese culture would provide the

luxury and calmness of mind that cannot be found in the Western culture. The culture is founded

Torn Between Two Generations on a uniqueness that allow for the solving of conflicts peaceful co-existence and the creation of a pure mind. The authors argument regarding the beauty of returning to the traditional Japanese culture is captured in his statement, For all the darkness inside, there seemed still to be a soft evening light in the garden, and the maple leaves through the high latticed window glowed a clearer, fresher green, like a silken fabric, than they had in the full daylight (Tanizaki, 1981). He gives this statetemet in description of the challenges facing the marriage between Kaname

and Misako. In his estimation, the gloom is a result of the influence of Western culture, but there remains hope if they embraced the traditional values of the Japanese society.