헤이안 문학에 나타난 일본인의 질병관

Abstract

The current study investigates the ancient Japanese perception of diseases expressed in literature from the Heian Era. After analyzing the uses of disease-related themes in Heian literature works, the current study uses this information to categorize the works by differentiated descriptive techniques, formalized narrative structures, and gender-discriminatory perceptions. First major illnesses reflected in Heian literature include physical diseases such as beri-beri, malaria, or eye disease, as well as psychological ones such as lovesickness and repressed anger. In case the expressed disease does not have a precise name, the literary works often perceive them as an attack from Mononoke. The following is a study of detailed aspects of the expressed diseases and their features: First, “Sanuki no Suke Diary” confirms differentiated descriptive techniques. The book vividly and painstakingly depicts the pains of diseases and fear of death experienced by the ill through the eyes of a female writer. In contrast, a man’s diary recording the same person’s disease dryly describes the facts of the disease and progress of the treatment without alluding to the emotions of the patient and those around him. Second, the current study reveals that the aspects of the diseases are designed under formalized angles depending on the roles of the characters in the works. The malaria suffered by Hikaru Genji, the protagonist of “Genji Monogatari,” is used as a tool that assigns authorities of the real world, glory of the future, and sanctity of the character. In contrast, the eye disease experienced by Emperor Suzaku and beri-beri suffered by Kashiwagi, both of whom have hostile relationships with Hikaru Genji, are set as devices to resolve their conflicts with the main character. Third, the current study looks at the distorted perspectives of others forced on women who have diseases. Heian literature reveals the hateful idea that perceives sick women as useless and tries to socially isolate them, as well as a perspective solely emphasizing femininity without considering the suffering of the diseased women. Unlike the reality, the world of literature hosts discriminatory narratives depending on the social class, hierarchy, and gender of the diseased. As such, the the narrative about diseases in literary works reflect the perception and values of the writer regarding diseases, as well as the universal idea about sickness that people of the time held. In this world, diseases are used not only as negative events that must be absolutely eradicated, but also as positive ideas that propose new human relationships as a result of self-reflection conducted by the diseased.