In recommending Jun'ichirō Tanizaki’s The Makioka Sisters as translated by Edward G. Seidensticker, I caution readers that this is deep waters. The book is an adult read in the sense that the it will require concentration, patience and a constant awareness that the characters are of their time and their place. No doubt a 2022 reader can impose a great deal case study about the patrimony, feminism and whatever other 21century themes one wishes to espouse. In any good literature, there is an ability to find meanings never intended by the author.
Against the other reviews who posit that the book is primarily about the conflicts within Japanese culture as it attempts to adopt its ancient traditions to a more modern international culture, I council caution. There were no obvious instances best described as being centered on modernism versus traditionalism. This brings me to two notions that I think helped me to understand what The Marioka saga is about.
I will propose these ideas not because I am certain they apply but because they are all I know of Japanese culture that might apply. What follows is barely an educated guess. I am, in advance, grateful for any, better educated analysis.
A term I have just had explained to me is “haragei” Indirect, largely nonverbal communication. Or as Japan inc explains it:
“Haragei literally means ‘Art of the stomach’. Think of it as an elaborate style of intuitive communication. Almost like a ‘sixth sense’, Haragei drives people to exchange thoughts and feelings – ‘belly to belly’ – without using words. Instead, facial expressions, timing, sounds, and even silence convey messages, mask true emotions, and influence business meetings.”
By entering the minds of our main characters, we are simultaneous listening to them make decisions about what to say and what to signal. It is also just possible that a person of this era would be so accustomed to this form of communication that even in their thoughts they are influenced to not think in direct thoughts.
From a book by Lefcadio Hern, Japan: An Attempt at Interpretation, written about 30 years before the time frame of The Marioka’s Sissters, he describes a society, whose deepest cultural tragions were already fading, but were bed rocked on the belief that we all have direct responsibilities at once over and under each other. There are circles of loyalties, to household, to families-assuming a hierarchy in several branches of a family, and on up towards the Emperor. Hern cautions us to not read that as being absolute and always the lower position subservient to the upper. Power can be abused and the larger community can act to control the abuser, whatever their position. The result was remarkably stable and while fading, it was still ingrained in how people handled themselves in their public face and in their inter-family relations. Face again being an important part of decision making and interpersonal relations. To this day, the Japanese are known to be resistant to the kinds of direct person expressions of self, or inquiries into the other person’s feelings that are common conversations in much of the west.
The scene for the Marioka Sisters is Osaka (location of the main house), and alternating with the branch house in Ashiya a suburb near Osaka. The time frame is immediately before the European outbreak of World War II circa 1936. Japan is already engaged in what will only be referred to as The Crises, Japan’s military aggression against Korea and China. The Marioka family is one generation past a time when it held an undisputed position as an old and powerful family. It still clings to some of the prerogatives and concurrent responsibilities of its prior standing, but has to make decisions based on straddling who they were and what they are.
The oldest sister is Tsuruk. She is old enough to remember her families former standing and is the only sister who is married and has children (6). She is most acutely aware of the larger implications of how her family is seen , treated and has expectations to fulfill. Very important to her is that her family may have to relocate to Tokyo, where the Makioka family name will not have any social standing. Next comes Sachiko. She has vaguer memories, but carries with her the need to place family before herself. Third sister, Yukiko is, unmarried and much of the novel revolves around the many efforts to get her married. She is too shy to commit to much of anything or person, but is never satisfied with any proffered spouse.
A couple of points about this. Being of her class, an arrange marriage is as carefully processed and as driven by tradition as ay mating ritual the reader may have any awareness. The senior family, referred/differed to as the big, or main house has a final say. The prospective bride has a final say. Younger daughters are expected to wait for their turn. Either side is likely to hire private investigators to speak with prior neighbors, teachers and check into financial status. Fine distinctions are made of prior marriage (for either the male or female) and if there are children from that marriage. Small things matter; like the particular medical history of family members. Much will be made of a spot that appears and disappears near Yukiko’s eye.
According to WIKI, this book was published under the name, Sasameyuki and
“means lightly falling snow and is also used in classical Japanese poetry. The image suggests falling cherry blossoms in early spring—a number of poets confess to confusing falling cherry blossoms with snow. Falling cherry blossoms are a common symbol of impermanence, a prevalent theme of the novel. The "yuki" (雪, snow) in Sasameyuki is the same as the yuki in Yukiko's name, suggesting that she is the central character of the novel.”
The youngest sister is Taeko. She had been pledged in marriage to a son of an old and still wealthy family, Okubata. She is very independent minded, a capable artist. It is a possibility that she will be allowed to pursue her art by going to Europe or America to study. Her relationship with Okubata is complicated by his irresponsible ways.
There are several plot lines and most of them are not key to the story. Things happen, some seemingly dramatic. A flood for example and other seeming less so, the role of at least one family servant. The events of the story are mostly a vehicle for the reader to spend long periods of time listening to characters think and exactly how they chose to speak to and interact with each other. What matters most is that the right implications are conveyed. That the paper chosen for a particular, not just hand written, but written in traditional calligraphy, note is all handled just so. Decisions about dining in a Japanese, Chinese or European style restaurant must suit the symbolic importance of that dinner.
Often during the book, I was impatient. Too much time over thinking what seemed like necessary decisions. The point is, in this society there are very few small decisions Everything has implications that must be foreseen and made smooth. Everyone is highly attuned to how things interact. I came away feeling that this was a society in much need of change. I liked this family and its several generations. I chaffed at how much friction came with adherence to what was usually well-intentioned thought processes, but what were frequently all about the smoke and rarely about the fire.
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Top reviews from other countries
Cozooks of Brixham
The Makioka Sisters exists for those who fancy a non-challenging read that is a bit different
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 22, 2021
Cozooks of Brixham
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on February 22, 2021
For western readers, I think a little more description of things Japanese such as the cherry blossom viewings and the street-life of their many visits away from home would have added to the read. Still, it was enjoyable in a non-threatening way and whilst I wouldn't necessarily recommend The Makioka Sisters, I am happy to place it here as an option for those who fancy something a little different.
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Steph Ward
A wonderful story, marred by lack of proof reading in this edition (Vintage Classics)
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on April 3, 2020Citychiclifestyle
Superb read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on December 10, 2015Vigilantius
Calm, poised writing, but too mundane for me
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on November 8, 2018Amazon Customer
Absorbing and insightful
Reviewed in the United Kingdom 🇬🇧 on September 1, 2014
