Kwaidan Analysis

In “The Story of Mimi-Nashi-Hoichi,” the notion of untamed brutality within the spirits is immediately brought forth with a description of how the spirits “would rise about ships passing in the night, and try to sink them; and at all times they would watch for swimmers, to pull them down” (Kwaidan, 4). From the very get go, the theme of untamed brutality is introduced. The purposeless nature of these spirits sends a chill to the reader, which reaches a peek when the servants discover Hoichi “sitting alone in the rain before the memorial tomb of Antoku Tenno,” followed by a intimidating message from the priest to Hoichi about the nature of these beastly spirits (Kwaidan, 14). Alas, this violent

Since the dawn of literature, parables have played a significant factor in shaping cultures, religion, as well as personalities. Kafka, a modern parable writer, writes enigmatic anecdotal pieces which on a deep level can have a multitude of meanings to varying individuals. Personally, Kafka single-handedly perplexed me with such vague and simple-ideas presented in such a parable-like manner. In “On Parables,” Kafka explicitly mentions that “parables really set out to say merely that the incomprehensible is incomprehensible” (Kafka, 488). Leaving many loose ends, Kafka certainly makes many situations feel incomprehensible, as is the case in “The Judgment,” where the incomprehensible relationship between father and son takes a tumultuous turn for the worst as Georg commits suicide. However, in his anecdotal short stories, such as “Robinson Crusoe” and “An Imperial Message,” Kafka certainly conveys strong messages left very open to interpretation.

“Yuki-Onna” carries on the theme of brutal spirits as the spirit of Yoki-Onna blows a wisp of breath, “like a bright white smoke,” upon Mosaku, immediately bringing about his death. Naturally, there is no reasoning behind this murder except for untamed brutality which immediately becomes tame once it is impressed by Minokichi’s handsomeness. However, once the secret is unleashed, Yuki-Onna’s threatening nature is let loose as she says “for those children asleep there, I would kill you this moment!” The brutal image of the spirits is further carried on in “The Story of O-Tei,” in a more subtle manner. A sense of the spirit of O-Te

Some topics in this essay:
Story O-Tei”, Antoku Tenno”, Message” Kafka, Story Mimi-Nashi-Hoichi”, Ultimately Naigu, Zenchi Naigu, Parables” Kafka, Imperial Message”, , Personally Kafka, “the story, untamed brutality, “the judgment”, hell screen, kwaidan selections, complete hell screen, kafka conveys, story mimi-nashi-hoichi”, “the nose”, complete hell, theme untamed, theme untamed brutality, “an imperial message”, “the story mimi-nashi-hoichi”, “the story o-tei”,