The Dancing Girl
"The Dancing Girl" (舞姫, Maihime) was the first published short story by the Japanese writer Mori Ōgai. The story first appeared in Kokumin no Tomo (People's Friend, 国民之友) in 1890, and is based on Mori's own experiences as a medical student in Germany. In some ways, this tale foreshadows Puccini's Madama Butterfly, which deals with a similar theme but with a slight role reversal: in Madama Butterfly, a Western man abandons a Japanese woman, while in The Dancing Girl a Japanese man leaves a Western woman. The short story was adapted into an episode of Animated Classics of Japanese Literature, which was released in North America by Central Park Media. It was also adapted into an OVA (Original Video Animation) by Toei Animation in 2006.
Minawa Shu
"Suimatsu (Minawa) Shū," 130 years ago in 1892 (Meiji 25), when he was 30 years old. This large volume, compiled by Ōgai himself, contains over 600 pages and includes his novel trilogy "Maihime" (Dancing Girl), "Utakata no Ki" (Memories of a Utakata), and "Bunzukahi," as well as 14 translated novels, 2 translated plays, and a collection of translated poems titled "Omokage," which he co-translated with friends. It can be said that this comprehensive collection represents Ōgai's poetic ideas and literary ambitions of his twenties. The "Suimatsu Shū" was not only a special volume for Ōgai but also a book that was read and cherished for a long time. Over the years, the "Suimatsu Shū" underwent several editions and abridged versions were published until Ōgai's death at the age of 60. With each edition, Ōgai meticulously revised the content, wrote new prefaces and Chinese poems, and made corrections to the text. The main focus of this exhibition is this singular volume. Through the history of its publication, Ōgai's activities at the time, and the works included, we will explore what Ōgai attempted with the "Suimatsu Shū." Additionally, we will introduce literary figures who were influenced by the "Suimatsu Shū." We invite you to experience the emotions Mori Ōgai poured into his first collection of works.
Bunzukahi
"Bunzukahi" is, as described here, a Romantic story that adds imagination to Ōgai's experiences. Set in high society, it romantically portrays characters such as the "beautiful woman on horseback," "Princess Iida," "Commander," "Count," and "King," reminiscent of fairy tales. Ōgai, without truly experiencing or understanding high society, was satisfied merely with being able to mingle with it, a lifelong aspiration fulfilled. While the glamour and refinement of high society were enchanting to him and depicting his interactions there was a source of pride, merely portraying the atmosphere alone does not make for a novel. Attempting to depict the innocent relationship between a pure-hearted youth and "Princess Iida," a common theme in Ōgai's early works set in high society, he could not portray the relationship between his longing for the world of high society and assisting a poor girl. Although he tantalizingly hints at the mysterious nature of the beautiful "Princess Iida," saying things like "These are all mysteries that may never be solved" or "Perhaps this princess's heart is not truly mad," events unfolding as concrete individual traits do not occur. The relationship between the innocent youth and "Princess Iida" ends in a faint misunderstanding. This ambiguous and unsatisfactory conclusion leaves only a vague impression, devoid of sentimentality. However, for Ōgai, as hinted at in his "material for my own novels," the mere depiction of interactions with high society was satisfying in itself.
