The role of women was basically to be a housewife. Tending to the children and husbands needs. Then teaching her daughter how to do the same, and son to be man of the house. There weren’t allowed education or to work. They were basically seen as tools that are to be used to keep life in order.

Women weren’t shown the appreciation and respect they deserve, without them, the men who believe themselves to be so superior would probably self destruct. A woman enhances a man’s life.

Even now, although women have more rights and freedom, they are still objectified and not completely respected or appreciated.

 

Akinari not not mentioning the names of the women in his story slightly suggests that there’s an unimportance for women. Or he wanted to use this as a device to hint to readers that Tomiko was something different than the other women.