Japan free essay sample

In Kawabatas Snow Country, a central theme has been focused on wasted effort. Throughout the novel, the phrase wasted effort from Shimamura has been recurring. The notion of performing a task without it having a definite purpose or end seems futile to Shimamura. Shimamura focuses on Komakos wasted efforts throughout the novel, yet does not really look to his own.The first time which wasted effort was mentioned, was when Komako was describing to Shimamura of her diary. Komako describes that in her diary she lists the character relations and minor details of each book she read, when asked about the purpose for doing such a thing Komako simply replies, None at all. To which Shimamura retorted, A waste of effort. (41). In this example, it seems that Shimamura perceives wasted effort as doing something without purpose. It appears pointless to him that Komako listed what she had previously read, yet this small activity gives Komako joy and brings her to the days in which she lived in Tokyo. We will write a custom essay sample on Japan or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The second time that wasted effort was mentioned was when he found out that Komako might be Yukios fiancà ©, where Shimamura thinks, If Komako was the mans fiancà ©e, and Yoko was his new lover, and the man was going to die—the expression wasted effort again came to Shimamuras mind. For Komako thus to guard her promise to the end, for her even to sell herself to pay doctors bill—what was it if not wasted effort? (61). In his mind Shimamura perceives the effort of both Komako and Yoko as wasted effort, Shimamura cannot fathom the excess effort both these girls are putting themselves through in order to benefit Yukio despite his falling condition. This time Shimamura takes the meaning of wasted effort as not only doing without purpose, but also exerting excess effort on things which are fleeting. Yukios condition which is wavering, is reason enough for Shimamura to question why Komako would put herself in such a satiation despite Yukios inevitable demise.The third time wasted effort was mentioned was when Shimamura learned that Komako practiced her samisen exclusively through score, To Shimamura it was a wasted effort, this way of living. He sensed in it too a longing that called out to him for sympathy. (72-73). This excerpt seemed familiar to Shimamuras view of wasted effort when Komako described her diary, he sees the longing which she felt and remembered the times in which she practiced in Toky o, yet despite this Shimamura views this as sad. The next time the phrase was mentioned was when Shimamura was climbing the mountain, Though he was an idler who might as well spend his time in the mountains as anywhere. He looked upon mountain climbing as almost a model of wasted effort. For that very reason it pulled at him with the attraction of the unreal. (112). In both Komakos practicing of the Samisen and Shimamuras experience of climbing a mountain, the phrase explains endless cycle of events. The last statement on that passage is also important. It seemed that it shows that after he viewed something which he considers as wasted effort, he diverted his attention to the unreal, perhaps to retain his vision of beauty in doing that matter. The final time which wasted effort is reiterated was during his encounter with Yoko, He was conscious of an emptiness that made him see Komakos life as beautiful but wasted, even though he himself was the object of her love; and yet the womans existence, her straining to live, came touching him like naked skin. He pitied her, and he pitied himself. (127-128). In this final reference, Shimamura finally sees that he is also experiencing wasted effort. Shimamura knows that his affair with Komako would end, and despite this has placed so much effort over her. He pitted both himself and Komako for this reason. Shimamura throughout the novel was quick to point out the wasted efforts of others, yet did not fully realize that he himself was exhibiting the same habits. Shimamura and Komako are similar in that they both exhibit wasted effort with an almost childlike quality, which is juxtaposed by an adult like nature. Komako still being a very young woman, shows traits of adulthood and responsibility, yet continuously does things which will ultimately end fruitless. Komakos decision in becoming a Geisha, was based on an adult decision to help a longtime friend, despite knowing he would ultimately parish. Her hobbies of writing down what she had previously read into her diary and practicing the Samisen without ever having an audience satisfied Komako, yet Shimamura pitied her actions and classified them as pointless. Shimamura an older gentleman was quick to point out others fruitless actions, yet did not start to question his own until the end. Shimamura suspended himself in a fantasy with Komako and even referenced the lack at attention he had given his family during those times. This to me seems like a childish act on Shimamuras part, which is ju xtaposed by Komakos adult like actions in trying to aid her dying friend. Shimamura pitied Komakos diary, yet he himself would write manuscripts about the art of Ballet, without ever actually seeing a live show. Shimamuras manuscripts were in sense Komakos diary entries, he would write about and fanaticize about something he had not seen in person, and indulged in the fact that he would leave the dance up to his imagination. Shimamura viewed life as if he was detached to the tangible essence of it because he dwelled too much on the unreal. He kept on telling of wasted effort on the things being done without any assurance of the result, to think that is one of the realities in life. A reality which Komako experienced, and understood yet Shimamura with age and knowledge could not fully understand.A bc d e f g h I j kl m n o p q r s t u Japan free essay sample A history of early twentieth century Japan with emphasis on the rise and fall of its economy. This paper discusses Japans rise to the international forefront at the beginning of the twentieth century and examines how the economic downturn in the 1920s paved the way for the rise of the militarists and ultimately to Japanese aggression in the 1930s. In 1920 Japans wartime economic boom distorted, and the country suffered a series of recessions. The great Kanto earthquake of 1923, which devastated the Tokyo-Yokohama region, aggravated bad economic conditions. Agricultural prices plunged, and the rural economy became indolent. A major bank panic in 1927 set off alarm bells, but conditions grew much poorer with the onset of the Great Depression, the global economic slump that began at the end of 1929. Japans manufacturing production fell, workers were laid off, a new wave of strikes began, and the rural economy went into a tailspin. We will write a custom essay sample on Japan or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page