1. Why do you think Toyo-o continues to be involved with Manago even after he suspects that she is a demon of some sort?
2. Why do you think people (both in the 18th century, when Akinari was writing, and in our own day) are attracted to ghost stories or tales of the supernatural?
3. Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
4. The text describes Manago as”bewitchingly voluptuous.” What does the character of Manago tell us about feminine beauty?
24 thoughts on “Ueda Akinari, “Bewitched””
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Why do you think Toyo-o continues to be involved with Manago even after he suspects that she is a demon of some sort?
I believe that Toyo-o appreciates the fact that Manago seemingly loves him and thinks of him as a great man. This is in contract of his father considers him the family disappointment and his brother who gives up on him contributing to society. Manago is also described as beautiful which causes Toyo-o to be infatuated and even lie to himself on his true feelings. Toyo-o also is influenced by his sister and her husband as they themselves is moved by Manago’s pleas.
The portrayal of Manago through the evil spirits or “demons” proves that it is easy for people to become attracted to each other simply based on their physical appearance. The demon was so attracted to Toyo-o’s physical beauty; the only way to have that feeling reciprocated was to let the lust for beauty and physical adoration blind Toyo-o into falling for this beautiful woman Manago.
Manago used her enchanting or “bewitching” beauty to cast a spell over Toyo-o. When the two love birds are first introduced, Toyo-o is blown away by Manago’s beauty, and pities her because she is soaking wet. Manago knew with her beauty alone she can have any man do anything she wanted, like give her his only umbrella in the pouring rain. Throughout the story she is known to speak in a flirtatious or coquettish manner when telling a lie to her newly wed husband or new in laws. Finally on their second meet, Manago knew that begging Toyo-o to spend the night with her was going to keep him up all night. Teasing Toyo-o with her body would guarantee his hasty return, with a definite “yes” to her marriage proposal.
Manago represents that it is believed by many that feminine beauty can be used to seduce men into doing what they want. Manago’s character represents this ugly idea that women can be deceiving and use their looks to mask who they are inside. I believe the character of Manago tells us that even though feminine beauty can be used as a great tool of manipulation; you can’t judge everyone based on their facade either.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
I think one message Akinari tried to inform his readers is that physical attractiveness may not be coherent with psychological attractiveness. This applies to both female and male. For instance, in this text, Manago is bewitchingly beautiful, but she is not beautiful inside since the text describes her as an evil demon. In the same manner, Toyo-o is a good looking handsome man. However, there is nothing left inside of him besides his appearance. He is weak and fragile. In other words, he is childish and dependent. I think there are some similarities between Toyo-o and Li Jia( the main character from Du Tenth sinks the Jewel box in anger) since both of them are easily be deceived by others. From this point, I think inner attractiveness or beauty is more important than the external attractiveness because it is hard to tell a person’s personality just by looking at one’s appearance. Apparently, Toyo-o was just been deceived by Manago’s good appearance. He did not know Manago’s true nature as well as her personality. Similarly, Manago bewitched Toyo-o only because of Toyo-o is handsome.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
I believe” Bewitched” teaches its readers that we can not judge people by their appearance. Sometimes, people with attractive appearance, may have a vicious heart. As it says in the text” There was refinement in her look, and Toyo-o felt instantly attracted to her” Toyo-0 was instantly attracted by Manago’s appearance. He forgot about anything, and all his mind was thinking about her beauty. He couldn’t sleep during the night, and immediately went for her for the next day. When Manago’s asked him to marry her, he didn’t feel like it is a trap. But he was hesitated because he had to ask his father for approvals. He had a attractive appearance, but he was dependent and easily being deceived. His outside appearance was not match with his inside personality. He was weak and dependent. Also, Manago has a attractive appearance. when Toyo-o saw her, he immediately fell into her. He didn’t believe she was a demon, even though there were many doubtful points. He was really into her because of her beauty, Until he found out later that she was a demon. Sometime, people with attractive appearance, may have a vicious heart.
2. Why do you think people (both in the 18th century, when Akinari was writing, and in our own day) are attracted to ghost stories or tales of the supernatural?
Tales of the supernatural are widely popular and I think that it is mostly because they provide an escape from reality for individuals. Life gets quite boring and repetitive at times and people need fiction in order to believe that there is more to it. The universe is vast and we know very little about it which leaves space for creativity. The latter gives us this feeling that anything is possible. The move away from rationality in these kinds of stories further enforces this idea. Our inability to understand things around us can make us lose confidence in our environment but going through supernatural tales, we create our own reasoning. Furthermore, it is simply exciting to believe that there is more to this world than we know of.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
“Bewitched” teaches readers that we must become stronger in order to fight for everything. Toyo-o s a coward, and he is totally depending on his family. He cannot support himself without his family. He does not have his own thought, and he gets affected by things and people around him easily. This type of personality is what Manago is looking for. Since Toyo-o is weak and he has a good appearance, Manago cast a spell on him easily. However, if Toyo-o has a stronger inner soul, he would not be bewitched by Manago. He can fight the devil.
Why do you think people (both in the 18th century, when Akinari was writing, and in our own day) are attracted to ghost stories or tales of the supernatural?
(Accidentally hit the enter button.)
As discussed in class, I feel that people are attracted to tales of the supernatural because it makes us feel as though we have a sense of purpose. Very often (and in most cases really), the ghosts or supernatural beings are defeated or brought down by us; humans. Even in a case in which someone loses their life, they go out as heroes and martyrs. Realistically speaking, however, humans are relatively weak in comparison to things of the “other world”. The portrayal of them as inferior is simply a way of making ourselves seem indestructible, perhaps to hide the obvious truth of our weakness.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
I believe that Akinari’s message in this text to its readers is beware of beautiful women and approach it with caution because it is often used as a tool for them to get what they want. Toyo-o and Manago are both good looking according to the text but being good looking does not make you beautiful on the inside as well. Looks can definitely deceiving and I think that is what the true message is in this text. Manago was looking for someone like Toyo-o, completely dependent on his family and irresponsible human being who can be so easily persuaded. She knew that he would fall for her from the moment he saw her and she kind of used it to get what she wants and casts a spell on him. Good looks don’t guarantee a good personality and this story is the perfect example with both of the main characters.
1. Why do you think Toyo-o continues to be involved with Manago even after he suspects that she is a demon of some sort?
I believe Toyo-o continues to be involved with Manago after he suspects that she’s a demon because of the same reason he was infatuated with her the first time they met. Toyo-o’s attraction to Manago is an overwhelming factor that, like most humans, conflicts with his other feelings of doubt and suspicion. This is apparent when Toyo-o is “teetering in an ambivalent state of lingering doubt and pity” when Manago pleads her situation to him, his sister and brother in-law. What also hinders Toyo-s ability to correctly assess Manago is experiencing visiting Manago’s house and then being confronted with the officials’ idea that no such woman exists, and/or is a witch.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
Bewitched came across to me as a moral story from the very beginning. As the narrator introduced Oya no Takesuke’s children it became obvious who would experience misfortune. The first two children have carried out what they are supposed to do–as per their gender, either getting married or carrying on their father’s business. His youngest one was the only child not to fulfill his expected path. He was drawn to study instead of work and therefore became fully dependent on his parents and older brother for his means of survival. He is being depicted as weak and as the story progresses that weakness is the reason the devil targets him. He was weak to her physical beauty multiple times. He quickly became drawn to her beauty and even allowed himself to go back to her even after she proved herself to be a demon. She was only truly defeated after he used his physical strength and will, as well as his mental and emotional strength, to kill her. He had to learn how to be strong in order to escape her. This is the moral of the story; mental strength and control of desire is what gives you a good life. According to the story, he did achieve that, showing that he learned from this episode of his life.
Why do you think people (both in the 18th century, when Akinari was writing, and in our own day) are attracted to ghost stories or tales of the supernatural?
In my opinion, I believe people are attracted to ghost and supernatural stories because they feel like its something different from the ordinary that they read everyday. Almost everyone that are into these stories definitely feel some type of excitement while they are reading. Some people just like to get scared and by being scared, it can also bring up more and more interest to continue reading the book or to buy more books by that specific author or genre. Stories like “Bewitched” can make you feel terrified at certain parts but once you finish the story, it can actually make you feel somewhat better about yourself. These type of stories can be the something that you needed to brighten up your day.
Why do you think people (both in the 18th century, when Akinari was writing, and in our own day) are attracted to ghost stories or tales of the supernatural?
I think people are attracted to ghost stories and tales of the supernatural because it cannot be happened in the reality. When people read these stories, they cannot imagine the ending of the story because they never have this kind of experiences. That means also people can think many other ways when they are reading the stories. In the 18th century, most popular book has many illustrations with short description of illustration. However, Akinari’s story was mostly writing so, people are interested literature form of this story. I think this reason is one of the reasons that people are attracted Akinari’s story. Another reason is that there is not many kind of this horror story at that time so many people are attracted to it.
Why do you think Toyo-o continues to be involved with Manago even after he suspects that she is a demon of some sort?
I believe there can be a couple of reasons why he stuck around with Manago even after his suspicions. There is the fact that he was not old in age, hence not wise to see the wrong or his own worth. I also think that since Manago was the demon and Toyo-o a weak man who is easily persuaded and controlled, there was a spell at work that kept Toyo-o in a close bond with her. His age plays a factor because he was still studying and in his father’s eyes not a man yet since he could not contribute to the family business or make anything of his own. They treated him like a free loader or someone of no worth in the house, someone who needed to be looked after and pampered. And those traists a quality make him clingy to Manago and just plainly blind to recognize who Manago really is. The last fact is that Manago was extremely good looking and the sexual and physical attraction to Manago played a huge role in reeling in Toyo-o.
Why do you think people (both in the 18th century, when Akinari was writing, and in our own day) are attracted to ghost stories or tales of the supernatural?
In my opinion, as 18th century in Japan, the president forbade people having trade with other countries, they were restricted in the country and not communicating with the whole world, they are eager to get into know more about what the world is happening. Ghosts symbolizes the other world. People put their imagination on this ghost to convey their longing to touch the other world.
Why do you think people (both in the 18th century, when Akinari was writing, and in our own day) are attracted to ghost stories or tales of the supernatural?
I believe the reason people then, and now, enjoy reading these types of stories is because it gives them a way out of reality. It allows them to escape into another kind of world where problems do not relate to the ones they have. Reading these types of stories (ghost stories, folklore etc.) is also different and different is exciting especially for the people of Japan in this time period. At this moment in time Japan was practicing total seclusion from the rest of the world. This isolation did not give people the opportunity to experience many new things, but writers like Akinari provided stories much like this one that gave them something new and different when they craved it most.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
The most obvious message that “Bewitched” teaches its readers is that looks can be deceiving. In other words, just because one is pretty/handsome on the outside does not necessarily mean they have the same trait on the inside. For example, Manago was so beautiful physically, that Toyo-o could not resist her. However, she was described as an evil demon on the inside who looked for someone like Toyo-o to easily manipulate with her devilish ways. Another example is Toyo-o, as a man, you would expect that he is grown and is independent, but he is actually the opposite. He is a very handsome man but is also dependent of his family and quite childish. I believe that looks catch the eye, but personality catches the heart, and so does Akinari.
3. Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
I believe that “Bewitched” has a moral message. Akinari is telling the readers of this text not to judge people merely by their looks. Toyo-o is a handsome young man and he falls in love with Manago whom is “bewitchingly voluptuous”. She is a very beautiful woman and this traps Toyo-o. However, her looks are the only good thing about her. She does not truly love Toyo-o, she wants to hurt him and utilize him at her pleasure. I strongly feel that this text is adverting its readers, telling them not to judge a book by its cover. Manago is mesmerizingly beautiful but her intentions are wicked. Akinari suggest that it is best to get to know someone before taking a relationship to another step merely based on looks.
4. The text describes Manago as”bewitchingly voluptuous.” What does the character of Manago tell us about feminine beauty?
Manago’s beauty tells us that looks can be deceiving. In her case, she was so voluptuous that it was almost unbelievable. The demon used beauty as its main weapon to attract its victims and took advantage of those that could not resist such as Toyo-o. Toyo-o had basically all but agreed to marry her because he was so attracted to her. He literally knew nothing about her or her background, but her being so beautiful was enough for him to accept her proposal. Feminine beauty is a powerful weapon indeed.
Why do you think Toyo-o continues to be involved with Manago even after he suspects that she is a demon of some sort?
I think Toyo-o continues to be involved with Manago because she makes him feel special. In the Toyo-o Family he is considered the loser for not wanting to fallow in his dad and brothers foot steps. Toyo-o feels pushed aside and not important to anyone. When Manago comes and wants to marry him he feels special. Manago always treats Toyo-o very nice and loving. There for the love Toyo-o doesn’t get at home he is looking for it in Manago . Even if he knows its not real he still wants to have the illusion that he means the world to someone.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
I think he wanted to show us that what we see on the surface is not always the reality. Toyo-o was setting himself up for this and didn’t see the bad that Manango had. I think this teaches us that when we have a relationship with someone we should truly get to kow them before we decide we are in “love” with them. I the end of the day no matter how much you think you know someone you truly don’t. I believe many people do like Toyo-o did and just looked at the good she had and didn’t care to look at the cons she had to offer. We are blind by some peoples attributes just based on their looks or sometimes money. We can learn a very valuable lesson from this and we should stop ourselves from letting this person take advantage of us or hurt us.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
I think the author wants to teach us that we need to be stronger enough to fight the devil. Also we need to be more mature. The appearance can not show someone’s mind. In the story, Toyo-o supports by his family. The only advantage of him is his good outside appearance. He is weak. So he is easily bewitched by Mango. He is not mature. He can easily affected by other people. He does not have his own thoughts. He cannot think about his future. That is sad. In the end of the story, we can easily guess that he is controlled by Mango because of his weakness inner mind.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
Bewitched teaches us to be careful with people who have nice physical attractions. Throughout the story she is using her magic but her good looks to attract the main protagonist Toyo-o. He was crazy in love with her but the reason why he helped her because he saw she was so beautiful when it was raining. Moral of the story could be to be careful who you fall in love with. Do not just go after a person who is beautiful or handsome. Du Tenth used her unnatural powers but I think it was supposed to represent filtration moves. Another thing one can learn from Toyo-o experience is that society does not want us to be who we want to be. He was brought to his demise when he was not doing what he loved doing which was learning. Second lesson be who you want to be not the fisherman that your father wants you to be.
Does “Bewitched” have anything to teach its readers? If so, what? What is Akinari’s message in this text?
I believe “bewitched” teaches its reader to ‘never judge a book by its cover’. Meaning, someone’s appearance may not reveal what their true intentions are underneath exterior beauty. It’s natural especially for a guy to be instantly attracted to woman’s exterior appearance. The story addresses how powerful female beauty can really be, and that it can be both good and bad. In Toyo-o’s case, he was completely deceived by Manago’s beauty that he ignored what her true nature might be underneath and it ultimately led to his downfall. So, appearance doesn’t necessarily guarantee a good personality.