Post by Teng Lai Chang on Sept 10, 2015 2:27:19 GMT
In the "Bonfire," by Kunikida Doppo, I like how the juxtaposition of warmth and cold and life and death is expressed through nature and weather. We see that the story is currently set in late December when Japan is nearing its coldest days. Throughout the story, fire was able to withstand the nature of winter and surmount even the harshest and coldest of times. Fire “represents the energetic, forceful moving things in the world” (wiki) and symbolizes warmth, passion, and motivation, evoking the deepest and emotional states of mind and feelings. In this harsh, cold winter accompanied with strong breezy winds and snow, fire elicits warmth and body heat from a human’s body. Fire also harmonizes and motivates people to work together as seen in the story when the children gathered around together clapping and laughing when they successfully lit a fire: “look, look, one boy shouted, the Izu hill fires. If their fires burn, then why shouldn’t ours?” (33). However, what I find interesting is that while fire represents such wild energy from the little boys, the meaning and representation of fire is expressed in a similar, yet different way for the old man in the story. In other words, fire can also be viewed as a duality where at one extreme, it represents passion and energy, but at the other end of the spectrum, it can also represent security, life, and spirituality. In the case of the old man and his interaction with fire, fire represented safety and security. As opposed to the children who were cheerful, energetic, and filled with drive upon the sight of fire as if it was the first time witnessing such sight, the old man was calm and appreciative of the warmth that the fire elicited as it brought back a familiarity that he had witnessed many years ago: “in the ten long year….I have yet to find one so pleasant as this (34).” The fire symbolizes the revival of one’s life and spiritual nature, and consequently, engenders the old man's desire and motivation to live (in the case of the children, the motivation and desire was driven more by passion and excitement). Coming across fire once again, the old man reminisces his days when he was a child, evoking the deep nostalgic feelings that the old man had hidden inside him, which in turn, lit a fire in his heart and soul to relive once again. In other words, the fire was able release his sorrow and burden that he had kept inside him and, subsequently, replaced his feelings of death with life. However, it's interesting that Doppo ends the story with the fire disappearing and the man leaving, hinting that nothing stays the same and nothing is permanent. Fire is also, in a sense, mujo (impermanence) and unstable such that the warmth and passion that the fire brings aren't constant as fire is easily washed away by the waves, which are eternal and everlasting.
Discussion Question: I've noticed that Doppo has incorporated the use of the five elements philosophy in Japanese buddhism: earth, water, fire, wind, void (sky or heaven) in the story. Do these elements complement one another? Do they conflict with one another? Or is it both? What are the underlying reasons for using these five elements?
Discussion Question: I've noticed that Doppo has incorporated the use of the five elements philosophy in Japanese buddhism: earth, water, fire, wind, void (sky or heaven) in the story. Do these elements complement one another? Do they conflict with one another? Or is it both? What are the underlying reasons for using these five elements?