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Post by Teng Lai Chang on Sept 3, 2015 3:59:17 GMT
Mori Ogai, author of "Sansho The Steward," does a successful job in showing the wrongs of the system during that time period and how it affected the lives of the poor. I like how Ogai takes a subtle (or not so subtle) jab at the government for issuing orders that were ineffective and did more damage than good. Instead of effectively using their people and power to capture these slave traders, the government prohibited travelers from staying at inns, generating more chances for slave trade. The government was, inadvertently, promoting and breeding a system of slave trade. In other words, the government creates and/or exposes the "evil" or "impurity" within the humans, which consequently, breeds these slave traders and slave owners, such as Sansho and his two sons, Jiro and Saburo. However, while Sansho and his two sons are the quintessential of humans' darkness, Anju, Zushio, and Kohagi are the epitome of kindness, light, and purity. This kindness may have derived from one's intention to be with nature or be like Buddha. Though I'm not too familiarized with Buddhism, I remember reading in an article (correct me if I'm wrong) that part of its belief is that it is in human's nature to want to be good and pure like Buddha. Overall, I like how the juxtaposition of these very contrasting characters shows that, despite living in this almost seemingly desolate society, there is hope and kindness in people.
Discussion Question: Why is the title "Sansho the Steward" instead of "Anju and Zushio"? The story was mostly revolved around Anju and Zushio and, from my point of view, they were more impactful and poignant to the viewers. So why do you think the author chose to name the title "Sansho the Steward'?
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Post by Mina Kaneko on Sept 3, 2015 21:35:40 GMT
I was wondering about the title myself -- Sansho the Steward is the antagonist of the story, and even amongst the antagonists, he's not the most prominent character narratively. Saburo, for example, in his actions is much more cruel (he's the source of the threat to brand the children, and the leading member of the night crew that storms the temple in search for Zushio). However, he is a powerful leader; as the owner of the land and of several slaves, he is a symbol of injustice, of a hegemony they can't escape, a corrupted system that punishes innocent children and their well-intentioned families. By naming the story after Sansho, the story seems to draw attention to him as a concept and the system he represents -- which is looked at critically in the story. One such criticism comes from the Chief Priest, when he covers for Zushio by saying he's heard nothing about the boy. He says:
"All of you come here in the dead of night, weapons in hand, pushing at the gate and demanding it be opened. Thinking some insurrection had broken out, or that you were a group supporting some rebellion, I permitted the gate to be opened. Then what do I find? The search for some menial in your household!" (23).
By saying this, he implies that if it were a group protesting in rebellion, he would have supported them, would have invited them in. Instead, he reprimands them for being outlandish and their cause unimportant. Though he doesn't do much more beyond helping Zushio along, these actions speak prominently about the beliefs he has (to not help the slave owners but rather the innocent boy to safety). By the end, Zushio -- now Masamichi -- the underdog of the story, has prevailed as governor, with the power to eradicate slavery in his province entirely. There's not much showiness or display of revenge by Masamichi at this point, the story merely explains his actions. Although we see that Sansho remains fortunate (such is the reality, not all corrupt leaders end up punished) we see where the good lies, with Masamichi. By titling the story "Sansho the Steward," we focus more on the antagonism in the story and the people it affects rather than praise the heroes. Instead the resilience of Anju and Zushio stands by itself, modestly, on its own.
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Post by Justin Yu on Sept 4, 2015 7:35:46 GMT
I also believe that the story was named thus due to Ogai focusing more on the antagonism that caused the traveling family's ordeal. Had it not been for men like Sansho, who believe in only the benefits of having many slave hands to produce productivity, the Portuguese/Wako Pirates/and other slave traders would not have made so much profit in kidnapping and selling captives. Sansho and his family take in any slaves not sold elsewhere, even if the slaves don't produce much (as with the children). This mentality gives slave traders easy business as they could make do by snatching helpless women and children rather than taking on healthy, stronger captives, which would be immensely more productive.
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