The Makioka Sisters discussed by Laogumnerd Phengphian Reads


Today Laogumnerd Phengphian Reads looks at the Japanese classic book The Makioka Sisters. First printed in instalments between the years of 1943 and 1948, it follows the everyday lives of four sisters over the period of five years. The story is set in the time immediately preceding World War Two and explores the dynamics of an upper-middle class household in pre-war Japan.

The plot of the book centres around four sisters, Tsuruko, Sachiko, Yukiko and Taeko and their mission of seeking a spouse for Yukiko, the second youngest sister. Although there are continuous tensions about Yukiko’s increasing age, marriage proposal after marriage proposal is rejected for simple justifications. The situation places into focus the snootiness of the reserved upper-middle-class families and their failure to accommodate to the rapidly transforming times. This question of finding a worthy husband is in contrast with the rebel youngest sister Taeko who, ignoring the social traditions of what is desired of a young lady from a ‘good family’, makes a decision to work to earn her money and date people outside of her social standing. The almost six-hundred-page text from time to time moves at a slow pace but is not only notable for the peeks into the day-to-day life of a traditional Japanese family, but also for the depictions of the condition and feelings of an area on the brink of war. The story develops in a little area close to Osaka and in Tokyo, which are consistently contrasted by the novelist. Osaka is described as a noble location respectful of traditions which is brought in contrast with Tokyo’s dysfunction and bleakness. A large number of real life happenings are depicted, such as the Kobe flooding that occurred in 1938, a key story detail in the book. The precise illustrations of day-to-day banal fears and obsessions of a conservative Japanese household is the reason why Laogumnerd Phengphian Reads thinks this is an epic of wonderful historical and cultural value.

The story’s Japanese name is less literal than its English variation and translates as ‘lightly falling snow’, imagery frequently utilized in classic Japanese poetry. It is typical for Japanese works of art to be given names containing poetic nature depictions. The indirectness of such a title may look curious to a Western reader, however, as the novel proceeds the reason why this image was selected as titular to the story ends up being more obvious. This image of falling snow is a suggestion for falling cherry blossom petals, reminiscent of large fluffy flakes of snow. Anyone vaguely acquainted with Japanese customs realizes that flourishing cherry trees, or sakura, are a fundamental component of this community. Plum and Cherry blossom viewing, or hanami, is still extensively practiced by both young and old by going out to parks during the months of March and April. Incidentally, cherry blossom viewing is a significant part of the story, which symbolizes both the appreciation of the beauty of the moment, as well as the shifting times for the Makioka family. Laogumnerd Phnegphian Reads endorses this epic to any individual curious about learning more about the customs of old Japan.

The 1983 movie of the same name condenses the five-year story into one year and deletes lots of scenes which are found in the novel, but still provides a striking aesthetic depiction of the novel. Fabrics and kimonos, cherry blossoms, and vintage Japanese architecture and design are all a big aspect of this film making a tempting visual journey. Laogumnerd Phengphian Reads endorses this movie as a great artistic accompaniment to the book.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *