Comparative Analysis: The Role of Buddhism in Yasunari Kawabata’s Thousand Cranes and the Role of Christianity in Shohei Ooka’s Fires on the Plain

Comparative Analysis: The Role of Buddhism in Yasunari Kawabata’s Thousand Cranes and the Role of Christianity in Shohei Ooka’s Fires on the Plain

Both Yasunari Kawabata’s Thousand Cranes and Shohei Ooka’s Fires on the Plain are powerful, thought-provoking works of Japanese literature, set against the backdrop of the cultural and historical context of post-war Japan. In these novels, religion plays a significant yet contrasting role in shaping the characters' lives and the thematic structure of the stories. Buddhism in Thousand Cranes and Christianity in Fires on the Plain offer different approaches to suffering, morality, and human existence, reflecting the cultural and spiritual values of their respective settings. This comparative analysis explores how these two religions function in each novel, highlighting both thematic parallels and contrasts.

1. Buddhism in Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata

Context and Role of Buddhism:
In Thousand Cranes, Buddhism, particularly its emphasis on impermanence and suffering, plays an integral role in shaping the characters' lives and worldview. The novel, set in the aftermath of World War II, explores the complex relationships between its characters, particularly Kikuji, Fumiko, and Mrs. Ota, within the context of grief, desire, and regret.

Buddhism, as it is represented in this novel, emphasizes transience (the impermanent nature of life), attachment, and reincarnation. Kikuji, who is mourning the death of his mother, is unable to escape the grip of desire and attachment to the past. This Buddhist concept is evident in his relationships with the women in the novel, particularly Mrs. Ota and Fumiko. His romantic and physical entanglements serve as a metaphor for human suffering—he cannot let go of the past and move forward in life.

Buddhist Themes in the Novel:

• Impermanence: The novel frequently touches upon the impermanent nature of life—the relationships are marked by temporary pleasures and regrets, reflecting the Buddhist idea that all things are fleeting. The fragile, transient beauty of the ceramics (which are integral to the story) echoes this Buddhist worldview.

• Attachment and Desire: Kikuji’s relationships with the women in his life are a reflection of his inability to detach himself from his desires, a central theme in Buddhism. His emotional entanglements symbolize how attachment leads to suffering.

• Regret and Karma: There is also an undercurrent of karma—the past actions and mistakes of characters haunt them, and their lives are shaped by the consequences of these actions, much as Buddhist thought suggests that actions in past lives shape one's current existence.

Buddhism’s Influence on Characters:
Buddhism, through the lens of impermanence and suffering, shapes the characters' experiences of grief and regret. The transience of their emotions and their inability to free themselves from their past mistakes serve as a reflection of the Buddhist teaching on the endless cycle of suffering caused by attachment. Ultimately, Kikuji’s inability to find true release from his emotional attachments points to the tragic consequences of living in an unawakened state.

2. Christianity in Fires on the Plain by Shohei Ooka

Context and Role of Christianity:
In contrast to Thousand Cranes, where Buddhism influences the characters’ psychological and emotional struggles, Fires on the Plain (set during World War II) presents Christianity within a more existential and morally questioning framework. Christianity is juxtaposed against the
Order Now