Customer Reviews

Japan's First Modern Novel: Ukigumo of Futabatei Shimei (Michigan Classics in Japanese Studies)

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Ukigumo is Japan's first modern novel, and it is fascinating to read. Modern Japanese literature has a compressed development, and it started here. The translation is very good.

Don't get me wrong, this is a strong novel with a good story. But it is more than worth reading just for the history.

In the summer of 1868, Japan ushered in an "Age of Enlightenment" known as the Meiji Period. Previous centuries of Japanese rule under a strict shogun society were quickly erased. Japan raced headlong into a decidely modern world with strong Western influences. As Japanese society began to open up, schools sprang up in Japanese cities teaching Western history, philosophy and Western languages such as English and Russian.

When the Meiji period began, Futabatei Shimei was only 4 years old. Schooled from a young age with emerging Western ideas and influences, Shimei was also exceptionally gifted in languages. As his schooling years came to an end, Shimei established himself as a translator. Quickly, Shimei's specialty became translating classic Russian novels for an increasing Japanese appetite for all things Western. When it came to writing "Ukigumo" it would be the Russian novels that would inspire Shimei to create a new style of Japanese literature.

Prior to the Meiji period, novels of Japan tended to be boring, episodic, fanciful and related to the tales of brave and mighty warriors. During the early Meiji period, translations of western novels were increasingly available but were generally limited to brief plot outlines without much thought being given to the translations of the characters personalities. After translating numerous Russian novels with their complex characters, at the age of 23 Futabatei Shimei decided to produce a uniquely Japanese novel in the Russian style.

Based on the story of four very ordinary characters, "Ukigumo" is a realistic portrayal of emerging modern Japan. Just as Meiji-era Japan was struggling with the positions of it's non-shogun classes, characters Bunzo and Noboru work together in cushy government positions, however soon Bunzo is laid off while the boss-schmoozing Noboru retains his job. As Meiji-era Japan was becoming increasingly educated to Western ideals, daughter Osei is caught between studying for her English classes and her mother Omasa's attempts to arrange a traditional marriage for Osei. Reflecting the old and new of Meiji-era Japan, characters appear in traditional dress in one scene and in Western clothes in the next. Bunzo struggles to find work and Osei drops English classes in order to take up knitting. The Japanese word "ukigumo" means "floating clouds" which is precisely what it seems these characters really are as they drift through life.

As a novel, "Ukigumo" is actually really short and a tad boring. Most importantly to Western readers, the novel seems to end quite abruptly and without resolution. Therefore my review of "Ukigumo" would not have been complete if I had not been so fortunate to read the version of "Ukigumo" published with the translation and critical commentary by Marleigh Grayer Ryan. A book of 381 pages, only 165 pages of this book was actually the novel "Ukigumo." The rest of the pages are devoted to a truly insightful commentary of Meiji-era Japan's historical and cultural concerns. Without this commentary, I truly would not have understood how "Ukigumo" was considered Japan's First Modern Novel.

If you are interested in reading "Ukigumo" for yourself, I think that the version officially titled "Japan's First Modern Novel: Ukigumo by Futabatei Shimei (with) Translation and Critical Commentary by Marlaigh Grayer Ryan" is absolutely essential.