A Study of Kawabata Yasunari’s “Snow Country: Story of Chained Rings”

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Other Title
  • 川端康成「雪国」論 : 「天の河」句と連環する物語
  • カワバタ ヤスナリ 「 ユキグニ 」 ロン : 「 アマノガワ 」 ク ト レンカン スル モノガタリ

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Description

Haiku is sometimes used to retell old stories. This article offers a close reading of Kawabata Yasunari’s Snow Country from a new perspective, focusing on his “Milky Way” haiku in this novel. What stories are inspired by the haiku and Milky Way? Specifically, I identify three stories: Basho’s story, Tanabatatsume’s story and stars appearing in Japanese mythology. Thereby, I provide a deeper understanding of the relationship between Shimamura and two women: Komako and Yoko. I compare Komako and Yoko to Tanabatsume. Tanabatatsume’s story affects women, and the stars appearing in Japanese mythology molds women’s destiny. Shimamura parts with Komako, and he leaves for Tokyo with Yoko. He doesn’t know these stories inspired by Basho’s “Milky Way” haiku. However, as I demonstrate through a close reading, that is why he is directed toward the direction of story of chained rings. Incidentally, at this time the “Milky Way” haiku is renewed by a new situation called “Snow Country.” Haiku changes the people in the novels, and the people change the haiku.

Journal

  • JunCture : 超域的日本文化研究

    JunCture : 超域的日本文化研究 8 126-135, 2017-03-17

    Japanese-in-Asia Cultural Research Center, Graduate School of Letters, Nagoya University

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