Blog Post One: Matsukaze

As demonstrated by the short play Matsukaze, sometimes it is better to let go and move on rather than hold onto someone who has passed away. In our society today, following the death of a loved individual, there is a time for mourning, but after a period of time, individuals generally transition into a time for healing and moving forward in their own lives. This is not the case for Matsukaze and Murasame. Upon Yukihira’s death, the two sisters become ghost fisherman that long to be reunited with Yukihira. In a sense, honoring the death of a loved one is respected, but in the case of Murasame and Matsukaze, their undying devotion to Yukihira goes beyond the point of grief. The point is clearly exemplified in lines 313 through 329.

Matsukaze: You are talking nonsense! This pine is Yukihira! “Though we may part for a time, If I hear you are pining for me, I’ll hurry back.” Have you forgotten those words he wrote?

Murasame: Yes, I had forgotten! He said, “Though we may part for a time, If you pine, I will return to you.”

Matsukaze: I have not forgotten. And I wait for the pine wind to whisper word of his coming.

Murasame: If that word should ever come, my sleeves for a while would be wet with autumn rain.

Matsukaze: So we await him. He will come, constant ever, green as a pine.

Based on the entirety of the play, it is my belief that these lines best exemplify the sister’s mourning. By using the word pine multiple times, the reader is able to gain a clear picture of the sisters longing for Yukihira. In this case, the word pines connotes an obsession, which is further supported in the ensuing lines. Because they do not move on in their own lives, they cause themselves more pain and suffering. Secondly, the use of the word “await” in the final line of the passage shows how Matsukaze will wait for Yukihira no matter the circumstances. This undying devotion demonstrated by the sisters eventually becomes their downfall in that they could have lived normal lives in the mortal world, but instead chose to pine for Yukihira and eventually become ghosts. Based on the words “pine” and “await” the translator creates a sense of an intense obsession rather than a love for an individual.

While the sisters clearly demonstrate their everlasting devotion to Yukihira, this proves to be their biggest weakness. In conclusion, based on the passage selected, Kiyotsugu demonstrates to the reader that this level of devotion is not healthy for any one involved. As the sisters continue to pine after Yukihira, they further prove the “point” of the play that letting go and moving on is the most beneficial course of action.