Sawako Ariyoshi with a Generational Tale

The River Ki by Sawako Ariyoshi is a beautifully written novel that opens a window into Japan's historic shift in social culture and separation from tradition. The story begins at the turn of the 20^th Century, when high ranking family names and samurai titles still had a hold on the land. Traditional life was very much alive and complimented with intriguing myth and rituals practiced by the Japanese for generations. Among these myths are tales of the River Ki that seem to indirectly shape the lives of three generations of women that live along its banks. The first daughter Hana is told by her grandmother that a woman must travel down the River Ki on the day of her wedding, since going against the flow of the river is bad luck. It is like going against the will of nature. Like all the brides of her family did so before, Hana would travel down the river to meet her husband on her wedding day.

This tale is infused with rich symbolism of the River Ki, though it offers an even more unique glimpse at the rapid social shifts that changed the face of Japan. The tradition, rituals and social rules that Hana so gracefully practices seem only to offend her daughter Fumio. It is probable the focus on Fumio holds the most importance, since Hana's other daughters seem to accept the old traditional ways with pleasure. Fumio represents the shift in a woman's role in Japan, and this is presented with a saddening desperation from her mother Hana. She cannot find a way to get through to her daughter, and the tradition is slowly slipping away.

Sawako Ariyoshi is one of the most popular and successful modern writers of Japan. Her ability to craft beautiful prose only adds to each story rich with compelling characters and historic context. This author follows the ever-changing waves of life in 20^th Century Japan at a time when war and social upheaval paved the way for modern development. This rapid shift came to Hana like a rug pulled out from underneath her family tree. The framework in which the greatness of the Matani family was built had become obsolete and thus disintegrated with the changing times.

#8 A Short History of the World by H.G. Wells

Chapter 45:  The Development of Latin Christendom

 When it comes to history, H.G.Wells gives a great overview of empire and ages that stood the test of time to shape the progression of mankind. A Short History of the World is focused on the most prominent past civilizations from the Mongols to China and Egypt to Rome. 

But Wells' ability to adapt the ages through religious and philosophical trends of the era seems to put things into perspective when it comes to the most prominent social and spiritual ideas. People can not be labeled as a product of their country alone. In reality, a sense of nationalism is more a concept of the recent future. In the past, the empire was gathered by force or won over through presenting a new, more tantalizing ideal. These ideals were often sold to mass populations through the institution of religion. Which is why religion should always be considered when viewing historic events and vast shifts in mode of thought.

A Short History of the World just barely scratches the surface of Earth's past. At times it seems to be lacking a few important peoples, places and events. Luckily, the newer versions seem to make up for these narrow shortcomings by placing an additional set of notes in the back. Anything that has since changed through research and scientific discovery is modified and noted as such. What makes this book fascinating is the time period in which it was written. Written in 1922, the concluding chapter The Political and Social Reconstruction of the World, reflects Wells' concerns for the impending aftermath of the Great War. He writes:

“The war had arisen as a natural and inevitable consequence of the competitive nationalisms of Europe and the absence of any Federal adjustment of these competitive forces....”

“....and if the Great War had not come in the form it did it would have come in some similar form – just as it will certainly return upon a still more disastrous scale in twenty or thirty years' time if no political unification anticipates and prevents it.”

It just so happens, the second world war came no more than seventeen years after the publication of these words. The concerns of this keen historian and author foreshadow the events of World War II before they would unfold. With this intelligent observation of world affairs, we can begin to understand how accepting the inevitable only welcomes this static outcome. H.G.Wells only wished to call people into action to make the necessary changes for a brighter future. Instead, these words would collect dust on the shelves, while tanks and bombers destroyed the world.

Wells, H.G.  A Short History of the World.  (New York:  Penguin, 2006).  340.