I was astonished at the fact that a man wrote this, and did not condemn the woman's sexuality at all. It seemed to be a mix of a cautionary tale and a manual of how to enjoy a love life. Several interesting points were-
- The samurai who she fell in love with and had her first sexual tryst with was put to death for them having sex. She was simply sent back quietly to her parents house. She was also thirteen and I shiver to think how old her lover was. But as it is said many times in the tale, times change. (595)
- It does not speak of love at first sight like many tale often do when trying to convey a romance. Her first love was plain to her and what captured her was his heart and his writings to her (595).
- Her first love was exciting and new, forbidden (595) . Her second was a matter of comfort and wealth that she and her family would partake in. And she was treated well and enjoyed herself (598, 599). The third was all for business and a means of security where she would be a temporary wife for three years (600).
- I had no Idea there was such a thing in those days. I thought there were wives, mistresses, and whores. I had no clue about marriage contracts for a limited number of years for payment. It is almost like an extended stay whore rather than a mistress (600). Now, one may ask what the difference is between the later two. I would have to say in my mind a mistress enjoys the same security as a wife in those times. If a wife did not bear a son she could be turned away but the man would be shamed if he did not look after her in some way. The same with a mistress. A whore or prostitute, I say is not someone you keep in the home, but call to come and go at your wish, they get money but no security and there is no exclusivity.
- I felt pity for her. Being so young and having to have so many men to rely on. Though she was strong and clever, it was a pity as she seemed to develop Stockholm syndrome with her Monk Husband (601). She was stuck and did not enjoy him and then over time she learned to? Because he was her only company in her little underground sex dungeon that was sound proofed and locked for much of the time.
- When she gained some freedom she is met by a crazy old woman who was in her situation (602)! Understandably she left making the monk think she was pregnant and a good thing too I think. What a horrible scene to imagine!
- She talked about different regions and how they were with the opposite sex. She says this of the commoners who live in Edo,"They're honest and straightforward, but they don't feel deep passion and don't know how to express their desire to men or attract them by acting afraid." (596). I found this interesting, as she talks about fear. I debated if this was acting timid to seem shy and submissive to men, or to fear their might and power. Either way, it seems a toxic form of courtship.
- The author defiantly seemed to write this woman as a bit of a cynic in her old age and the start, saying how she could not keep relationships made her seem almost bitter (594). We learn this is not true though.The start off of her reluctance does not so much sway the tone that the beauty of love was not still felt and reverences by all in the tale. "The places in the letters where the men swore by their patron gods that their love for me was true and would never change, those places, he said, didn't burn." (595). In laced the faith of the people with their gods and the love sworn to her by them. It is such a romantic sentiment that I would be lying if I said it didn't bring a smile to my face.
Over all I thought she was a strong female and slightly eccentric. But did indeed lived an exciting life, even if it was not "exemplary" (596).
Saikaku, Ihara " Life of a Sensuous Woman" The Norton Anthology World Literature, Third ed., D, W. W. Norton & Company, 2012, pp. 593-602.
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