I think this picture directly corresponds with Akinari’s text as it shows a beautiful woman covering herself with an umbrella which has serpent on it. The umbrella is a nice touch as that is where it all started when Toyo-o offered his umbrella to Manago on the rainy day (634). History teaches us that men have been manipulated by women’s beauty and their sexual desires. Toyo-o had always been looked down upon by his father and his brother and he would even get scolded when he wasn’t at fault. Seeing how pretty and accepting Manago was to him, it might have been his first real connection to someone, and he got attached even though she is bewitching him. He was already intrigued by her beauty and the second day he met her, she confesses her love for him and proposes to him (635). However, at the same, it shows us how immature he is and how he dug his own grave. He was always told that he is not mature enough and maybe that’s why he acted the way he did. Without even getting to know Manago, he falls in love with her because of her beauty and not because of her intellect so can we really blame Manago for preying on Toyo-o because he is handsome.
https://astrologyandart.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/japanese-zodiac-snake.jpg
I love the art work that you chose and how you were able to correlate this with the umbrella from Toyo-o and Manago’s first encounter on that rainy day. I also agree with you when saying that Toyo-o is immature/naive and that contributes to him going for the wrong women and getting “bewitched” by them.
That image fits the story perfectly. The idea of Toyo-o “bringing this on himself” is an important one. I think the story does hold him somewhat responsible for his own predicament. But perhaps he is merely living up to the very low expectations his father has for him?
You have chosen such an appropriate piece of art, it relates to the story in so many ways , I like how you highlighted the need/requirement of love and acceptance that was being fed by Monago towards Toyo-o which made him want her more