Reference no: EM133612078

Assignment:

At the 25-second mark of our video, the narrator notes that what is "truly magical" in the films is when the characters are "at their most every day." Why do Shinto stories return us to the every day? How can such stories offer any hope in times of real human suffering, as Kawabata appeared to believe?

Shinto stories return us to every day because they bear familiarity. Each story can capture its audience personally which sparks a familiar tone in their mind and teach a new lesson. As said at the beginning of our reading, "Ancient Shinto stories teach us how to rediscover and reconnect with other living beings." (Bronson 165). Through these stories, we can find connections that remind us of our everyday lives. Shintoism bears many stories which carry significant relevance even in society today. One of these is Sumo wrestling.

As a child, I found comedy in Sumo wrestling. I did not understand why two bulky people were wearing thongs, attempting to push each other out of a ring. Yet there is a deeper connection to something greater. Those who participate in Sumo wrestling wear mawashi to prove to the Kami that they are not cheating. It is this small action that these athletes partake in to show honour to the Kami. Through this tradition of wearing mawashi, the wrestlers share a connection. Through honouring the Kami by not cheating they also honour their fellow competitors, by partaking in a fair game.

There is a lesson that is unfolding here. Many people may see two grown adults displaying public indecency when there is a hidden message. These athletes are showing their audience that they are playing a fair game, paying respect to the Kami and the traditions of the sport. Which educates its audience on the matter. The stories in itself are tools which can offer hope to those who lack the knowledge. Which can help battle any suffering one may endure due to their lack of understanding. Just like in Hayao Miyazaki's Spirited Away, is a young girl blinded by the familiarity of her world.

When she is challenged by being in the presence of multiple Kami and learning to adapt to her new environment she is reminded by a new friend to remember her name. Which ultimately leaves her to successfully rescue her family and embrace her new environment. These stories teach us to accept new ideas regarding anything unfamiliar. In this case, it was a younger me unfamiliar with the attire worn during a Sumo wrestler's match, and Chihiro's challenge of unfamiliarity in the bathhouse.