Sansho the Steward - Mori Ogai

When reading "Sansho the Steward," I felt that it was somewhat similar to the fables popular in Western culture. Besides also being a story aimed towards children, Ogai's tale features the same kind of morals, or ideals, that are typically in fables as well. There are, throughout the story, certain recurring ideas: to defer to figures of authority, to be ready to make sacrifices, and to keep faith (particularly in times of hardship). These could all be things which the author intended to instill in young readers. The first can be seen through Zushio's interaction with the other characters; he obeys his mother in the beginning, meets Sansho's demands after being purchased, follows Anju's instructions for escape, and then heeds the advice of the monk during the ending. He constantly does as instructed by those in authority, who are in his case those older than him. The second idea is shown through Anju’s apparent selflessness in using her own suicide as a means to aid her brother’s escape. Moreover, she also gives him her prized amulet with the Jizo. The logistics of whether or not her suicide was really necessary does not overshadow the intention behind her actions: Anju was willing to give up everything for Zushio’s success. The third ideal, of keeping faith, is demonstrated by the difference in reception towards Ubatake and Anju’s suicides. Ubatake, who drowned herself very shortly after being separated from the children, displayed a lack of faith the future. This is in contrast to Anju, who held consistent faith in her Jizo amulet and her brother’s chances of escaping and living a fulfilling life. Accordingly, whereas Ubatake was completely forgotten, Anju was rewarded for her faith with the construction of a nunnery on the site of her death.

Discussion Question: What do you think is the significance of the dream which Anju and Zushio had and the involvement of the Jizo?