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A review by kumipaul
破戒 by 島崎藤村 [Shimazaki Tōson], Tōson Shimazaki
5.0
An important book about one of the great embarrassments of Japan, but more broadly about discrimination anywhere. The eta people were (are still??) considered from the lowest class and were considered unclean and unworthy of interacting with the general population. They were the butchers and leather workers who performed a valuable social function but were outcast for doing so.
It's beautifully written (though sometimes extensive in its descriptions and detail), and its characters are drawn in such a way that the reader can't help but understand their motivations. The translation was excellent as well, which was obvious as the story flowed logically and with all appropriate emotions expressed.
We came to know eta people who were academics and orators, teachers and housewives, and the story proved to us that they were sometimes the best and brightest among us. But no matter. To the Japanese in and around the year 1900, they were to be avoided and ridiculed. I can not help seeing this story of the eta's struggle as a metaphor for LGBTQ struggles (hopefully mostly in the past) where members would hide who they are rather than suffer a lifetime of abuse for coming out.
It was challenging to find a copy of this book, but the struggle was worthwhile.
It's beautifully written (though sometimes extensive in its descriptions and detail), and its characters are drawn in such a way that the reader can't help but understand their motivations. The translation was excellent as well, which was obvious as the story flowed logically and with all appropriate emotions expressed.
We came to know eta people who were academics and orators, teachers and housewives, and the story proved to us that they were sometimes the best and brightest among us. But no matter. To the Japanese in and around the year 1900, they were to be avoided and ridiculed. I can not help seeing this story of the eta's struggle as a metaphor for LGBTQ struggles (hopefully mostly in the past) where members would hide who they are rather than suffer a lifetime of abuse for coming out.
It was challenging to find a copy of this book, but the struggle was worthwhile.