This book uses texts from classical and modern Japanese literature to
examine concepts of “respect for the strong”, as a notion of an evolutionary
society, and “sympathy for the weak”, as a notion of a non-violent and changeless egalitarian society.
The term “strong” refers not only to those with strength and power; it
also includes other ideal attributes such as beauty, youth and goodness.
Similarly, the term “weak” implies not only the weak and the infirm but also
the disadvantaged, the indecent, the unsophisticated and those generally
shunned by society. The former are associated not only with the power of
life, competition, evolution, progress, development, ability, effectiveness,
efficiency, individuality, the future, hope and romance, but also with violence, fighting, bullying, discrimination and sacrifice. The latter, in contrast,
evoke notions of peace, egalitarianism, anti-discrimination and welfare, as
well as of stagnation, retreat, retrogression, degeneration and the decline of
vital powers.
By using these two concepts, Murakami skilfully weaves a narrative that
is part literary criticism, part social commentary. As such, the book will be
of huge interest not only to scholars and students of Japanese literature but
also to scholars and students of Japanese society and culture.