Japan before and after atomic warfare

Jun'ichiro Tanizaki novel, "Naomi"

            Captivating, illusory and thematic are a few terms to describe Jun'ichiro Tanizaki exciting novel entitled Naomi. Tanizaki takes his readers on a literary voyage to witness first-hand the modernization of Japan. Tanizaki, a popular author of modern Japanese literature and winner/nominee of several prestigious awards i.e. The Order of Culture by the Japanese government and honorary member in the American Academy and Institutes of Arts and Letters, uses his literary work Naomi as a reminder that modernization not only affects the infrastructure of a nation but also causes a great deal of transformation within the culture of that nation. So is true in the narrative of Naomi. Narrated in the first person by protagonist Joji,  who is a well-educated successful white collar twenty-eight year old man from a wealthy traditional family. Joji is passionately obsessed with the antagonist Naomi, a local cafe/bar hostess who happens to be a beautiful fifteen year old Japanese girl with "westernized" looks from a less than stellar lower class family. Joji convinces Naomi's family to allow him the benefit of grooming her into womanhood, an offer her family cheerfully accepts. The ensuing relationship between Joji and Naomi allows readers a glimpse into the complex world of modernization; a world of forgotten traditions and abandoned gender roles.

            Joji is smitten with Naomi as he glances at her in the cafe. Her western charm and mannerisms instantly draws Joji, after all, she resembled women he had only seen on pictures before. Not long after their initial meeting and after her parents blessing,  Joji began his quest of forging his ideal "western" woman out of Naomi. Understanding the importance of education, Joji allots funds to secure Naomi an English education and also funds Naomi's interest in western recreations such as dancing and her love of western themed magazines. Of course all of these investments came at a price; Naomi grew to be manipulative and selfish. The end result, Naomi takes complete control of Joji life.

            The relationship between Joji and Naomi is significant because it shows the complexities that faced Japanese families during the early phases of modernization. The Meiji Restoration ushered in  a new class of educated men whose educational achievements allowed them the opportunity to belong to a "white collar" class. No longer were men relegated to careers such as artisans, farmers and merchants. During this period of modernization a great number of males from rural areas moved into cities to attend universities and technical schools. Joji was very much part of this class of "white collar" men and belonging to such an elite class made possible the bountiful lifestyle that he enjoyed.  Women also experienced complexities during the modernization period of Japan. Traditionally, young women would seek factory employment and use their earnings to support family members back home. In this new period of modernization women found strength in gaining independence through "earning power," which simply means they worked very hard for modest pay and was subsequently able to afford a more gracious lifestyle. This independence allowed women to exert some control over their financial futures and quality of life.

            Traditionally, women were treated as second class citizens in Japan. Their lives were generally controlled by their fathers, husbands and even brothers if the father was deceased. During the emergence and implementation of modernization women were able to begin working jobs that forever changed the family structure which was important in Japan. Women growing independent through the means of capitalism forsook traditional roles as wife, mother, and sister and began to challenge the system. No longer would women feel the need to marry out of tradition or necessity; for this new class of independent women, money was key to making your own decisions and living life on your own terms. This is evident as Naomi grows older and begins to dominate and exert control over Joji life.

            Lastly, Gender roles were vital to the survival of the traditional Japanese family unit. In Japan there was a gradual shift in gender roles as women became primary breadwinners and thus able to abandon the "traditional" arrangement for marriage. This abandonment of traditional gender roles happens due to foreign influences. According to Joji "As Japan grows increasingly cosmopolitan, Japanese and foreigners are eagerly mingling with one another; all sorts of new doctrines and philosophies are being introduced; and both men and women are adopting up-to-date Western fashions" (p. 3). Tanizaki illustrates the abandonment of the traditional gender roles by allowing us to witness Naomi's sheer independence in her marriage although interdependent on her husband Joji. The mingling of western cultures helped to spearhead change in modern Japan especially when it came to gender roles. At time when other nations were experiencing their women's suffrage movements, Japan also had to contend with the rights of women. Slowly but surely, women were gaining their voice in Japan's patriarchal "traditional" institution, and in 1921 was permitted by the Diet of Japan to attend political assemblies. It would take the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima and the invasion and occupation of Japan by the United States to bring women's rights into full fruition.

            In conclusion, Naomi is an excellent read for anyone desiring a greater understanding of some of the complexities that Japan faced in the wake of modernization. Forgotten tradition and abandoned gender roles was two such complex issues that Japanese families had to endure. Tanizaki uses his literary work Naomi as reminder that modernization not only affects the infrastructure of a nation but also causes a great deal of transformation within the culture of that nation. Tanizaki does an excellent job conveying both themes and inter-weaving them into the relationship of Joji and Naomi.