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Musui's Story Review

Question 1

Question 2

Social class is very important and has been employed to show the disparities in how individuals are treated. When an individual comes from a greater social class they tend to get more respect as compared to other members of society. Individuals who come from rich and well known backgrounds tend to be feared by others. For instance during Musui's arrival in Mishima, he claims to be a retainer in the service of Harima-no-kami of Mito so as to frighten the guards. In reference to the book, Mito refers to one among the three greatest-ranking security houses of tokugawa family. The Japanese community was grouped into three classes, samurai, Merchant and Peasants. Samurai refers to a group of warriors whose life has been depicted in a differing manner in Musui, from the common war. Peasants are the individuals who labored in the lands while the merchants were business people. The relationship between the groups was infuriating especially between the samurais and peasants. This is because the samurais neglected those from lower status for their individual gain, which infuriated the commoners. A huge figure of the samurai had become very comfortable in their positions of authority taking advantage of the structure, and those that felt the pain were the peasants. A good illustration id Katso Kokichi who spend a lot in an explicit way of life, and made his peasant pay off for his debts.

1. What does teh book tell us about the interaction of indigenous Japanese culture and larger East Asian social systems? Do you see Buddhist, Confucian or other influences in Japanese culture?

2. What role does social class play in the book? What does it tell us about the relationship between different classes in Japan (samurai, Merchants, Peasants etc.)

3. What are some of the tensions between social reality and ideology in Edo Japan that are portrayed in the book. Consider their impact on social stability and people's lives.

4. Could you possibly conceive the Musui story written from the point of view of women? Consider issues of class, social ideology and, obviously, gender.