Journal of The School of Marine Science and Technology,Vol.3 No.1
A Study of Kazunomiyasama-otome (A Diary about Princess Kazunomiya)by Ariyoshi Sawako
─About the creative ways─
Yoshio TAKAHASHI
Abstract
A novel,Kazunomiyasama-otome (A Diary about Princess Kazunomiya)by Ariyoshi Sawako,was serialized in the literary journal Gunzoh from 1977to 1978. It was also published in full by Koudansha in 1978.Ariyoshi related the story,through use of historical fact.The story has as its framework the tale of Princess Kazunomiya who married General Tokugawas, Iemochi. In the novel, she created the hypothesis that two girls took the place of Princess Kazunomiya.Historians,however,presented counter arguments to her hypothesis,which she did not address.I feel that the reason why she did enter this debate is, because the most important thing in fiction for her is not whether the story should be true but how well she can make the readers aware of the reality within it. In short, an author should write any work that we could read on and experience appreciation in it.

One of the themes of this story relates is the short life of a poor girl, named Fuki who was fourteen years old and was driven to death as a result of her taking the place of the real princess.As Ariyosi herself asserted,it is not problem whether Fuki really did take the place of Princess Kazunomiya or not. The point is how well reader can experience this reality.So,in this paper I have analyzed some creative ways and the mechanism by which this novel causes our hearts to stir.
     
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