Ichiyō Higuchi (樋口 一葉) "Separate Ways"

The great impact of poverty and helplessness in Ichiyo’s book doesn’t have to be explained, the power of will, the power to break through is simply insufferable. The Meji era and its social difficult situation made women stuck. Lack of money and economic niche made a cliché for almost all of them. The prime and the utmost figure will always be a man, male dominance is obvious, it is a man who halts the woman, gives her a possibility to come up, or, makes her fell down, almost irrelevant like a foliage. The gender, the division of roles is tragic to the protagonist, gave her a very little or no power at all.

“… Okoyo, a stylish woman in her early twenties put her sewing down …”

The setting of the novel is very important, the restoration of the Meji era is very significant – Japan and Japanese people underwent sets of changes, sets of life improvements, it was an onset of enlightenment, new ideas, new approaches, West ones, as well. Tremendous changes occurred, some accepted the new reality, others, rejected it, wanted to leave it behind.  The traditional, archaic Japan is what Ichyio writes about. Economical, cultural, social structure of Japan started changing, the West particle of new ideas and modernization collided with traditional, stiff and insufferably strict Japanese values and virtues. Female place in the society and her obedience was appalled by the society, by the state, she is brought up to be silent, obedient, subordinate … reserved; her face is a mask. Feelings are burning inside, however, are never let out. The lack of perspectives was determined by the fact that the women were closed – literally, at home, had just few jobs to occupy themselves with. It all changes when the industrialization comes in – it imposes work – job places are open to lower class. The job opportunity does open, the social breakthrough, not necessarily. The gender problem is unquestionable. It affects women, so does men. All of them are looking for some place in the modernizing world, a soul-mate; someone to love.

“… So there really is no connation between us. Boy, I’d sure be glad if someone like you would come and tell me she was my sister. I’d hug her so tight …. After that, I wouldn’t care if I died. What was I, born from a piece of wood …” “… I may be a child of the tramp…” – Kichizo says.

Okoyo is a seamstress, she earns for a living by sewing, she is very alienated, doesn’t have much contact with the others, she concentrates on her work, she is strong, possesses some kind of power over the Kichizo, maybe because of the slight, almost untraceable age gap, maybe because she is more like a mother to him. But there is more than that, she is an intelligent woman, she know the limits of everything, the limits of good taste, as well.

“… - Hmm. What a waste, on that old baldie. Why don’t I wear it first?

-          Don’t be ridiculous. Don’t you know what they say? He who wears another’s clothes will never get anywhere in life…”

She is a proud woman, she wants to prove she will be living a distant life, she is brave – to be opposite the social rules, to reject the pressure people put her on; therefore she gains nothing but keeps her independence and individuality. Despite of this fact she knows and realizes how important the male particle in her life is, how helpful and significant is becomes, Kichizo doesn’t allow her to forget it;

“…Remember what you promised once? When your luck changes, you said you’d make me a good kimono. Will you really...?”

He indicates her that he might be helpful, he may open a way to success or stand still, do absolutely nothing, nothing at all. The state of being independent suits Okoyo, the fact that she is poor, doesn’t appeal to her personally, it is tiring for her, it is depressing for her. She feels great discomfort, she would like to shake this poverty burden out of her shoulders but she doesn’t know how. Kichizo notices it and says;

“… Okoyo, if I had a beggar’s boy, you wouldn’t have been so nice to me, would you? You wouldn’t have given me a second look …”

Okoyo, naturally, doesn’t agree with her companion, it all doesn’t matter, the origins, the social class, just the human being does. The emotion, the language, the descriptions, the unspoken thoughts and indifference seen between the lines made Ichyio so unique, unorthodox and controversial writer. Both characters; Okoyo and Kichizo are very alike, both are lone, both work hard to make ends meet, both are searching for a better day to become “a better person” – a better one, doesn’t mean – wealthier one, simply, to have a different, slightly better life. Kichizo is fortunate, he is working in an umbrella shop, he was picked up by some old lady. He yearned for stability and tranquility in life, he imagines to oil umbrellas forever, which is unlikely to happen. He agrees for his fate, he rejects other possibilities, because he feels safe with what he’s got;

“…I was born to wear a plain kimono with workman’s sleeves and a short band around my waist…”

Okoyo wishes she could sew all the time, to be a seamstress and to live peacefully; her distant desire for a normal life doesn’t become unnoticed; it will not be perpetual;

                          

“…She’ll be wearing tasseled coats the next time we see her […] like a kept woman…” – Hanji, one of village boys, replies.

It indicates victimization of women’s position, they are perceived like objects, beautiful dolls; they will be dressed, given the most exquisite clothing, jewelry to go around, to show up, like a private property.  Women are supposed to be pleasant, to please the men. Okoyo knows that her unprivileged, difficult financial situation changes her plans, her present state. She will, eventually, become a mistress – this not appropriate, respected life doesn’t make her a different person, she is not changed; she is still distant, warm-hearted and very emphatic one. Kichizo doesn’t want Okoyo to become a mistress, he tries to discourage her form being one;

“…It’s not as if you can’t make a living with your sewing (…) when you’re good at your work, why give it up for something so stupid…?”

Okoyo sees the harshness of reality, that her dream of becoming a seamstress will not prevail, she will not be able to earn for a living, Kichizo doesn’t notice the changes that gradually overwhelm the society. He is naive, childish. She is more mature, she knows she has to keep on, walk on, it is not her expectation to be someone else’s lover, it is what the society expects from her, she has to belong to someone. 

“… Kichizo! You’re wrong, I am leaving here, I am not abandoning You. You’re like my little brother.

-                      How can You turn on me?

-                      You mean You’re not going to be someone’s mistress?

-                      It is not the sort of things anybody wants to do but it’s been decided. You cant change things.

-                      Take your hand off me, Okoyo…”

The last and final desperate attempt to explain how difficult situation she has to face with was futile, it was all useless.