This study examines the cultural characteristics of Mono-Awase in Japanese Literature and Culture by studying aspects of the culture of Japanese martial arts through 'Mono-Awase' in Japanese ancient literature.
Old generation’s mythology does not ha ...
This study examines the cultural characteristics of Mono-Awase in Japanese Literature and Culture by studying aspects of the culture of Japanese martial arts through 'Mono-Awase' in Japanese ancient literature.
Old generation’s mythology does not have the expression 'Mono-Awase', but there are quite a few contests. Rather than fighting fiercely as if they were fighting each other, they show their abilities and skills one after another, and compete against each other.
These competitions developed into the play of the royal nobles in the Heian era, loved by the Emperor and the royal nobles, and competed in various aspects such as animals, plants, and talents to compete for the renaissance.
This study found the background of Monoawase's expansion into various fields in the Japanese's ‘Competing preferences’.
In the Old generation literature, the struggle between the numbers and the clarity of the game was performed, while in the Heian period, the game was settled in the form of a group game with a 1: 1 game count, and the game became increasingly entertaining.
In addition, Orchestra play, after the game, has the unique identity of a Japanese culture of competition that creates a “field of harmony” that winners and losers can play with musical instruments together to interpret it as friendly and coexisting.
In the Middle Ages, the form of masking the game has been modified, but it can be seen that the form of a team game in which 1: 1 solo exhibition is repeated continues.
In Doriawase, which appears in the 『Heike Monogatari』, is a team game where one-on-one matches are played instead of the single game of 『Nihon Shoki』.
As a result, the competition extends not only to the aristocracy, but also to the daimyo and the samurai classes.
However, during the Edo period, the import of gamecock brought more enthusiasm, and the common shogunate imposed a ban as the gambling became common among the common people. They enjoys competing in a more detailed field with the expression 'Gassen'.
Modern 'NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen's are also inherited the process of the 'Mono Awase'. The pattern of winning by competing with opponents is also characteristic of modern popular culture such as manga and anime. The background of this culture is part of aggressionism from Japan's long decentralization, and the cause is found in the endless competition and confrontation of Japan's Sengoku period.
Nevertheless, it is not a confrontational culture that is hostile, but a ‘competition culture’ that competes against one's ability and skills against another, and it is a “culture of harmony and coexistence” where even the other person is impressed.
Therefore, since winning is the formula of winning empathy with the ability to impress the opponent, the “mono-awase” eventually creates a place of unity with no winners or losers.
The uniqueness of the Japanese people is that the mental structure under the Mono-Awase, which enjoys the process of being aware of each other and builds up the skills for the next competition, and the competition culture that recognizes the best through these skills and skills, are ‘Mono-Awase’. It is considered a cultural symbol system that expresses emotions and ideas.