In A Grove

Words: 796
Pages: 4

In the Japanese culture, each individual possesses a different connotation of reality. In Japan, there are many strict rules that each people must follow in each religion. The masses should not oppose their religion. The testimonies and confession in the story rebel the teachings of Buddhism, Vinaya, and the Bushido code. A short story “In a Grove” by Ryunosuke Akutagawa expresses cultural traditions and the mystery of a dead man through different testimonies and confessions. In the mysterious story, “In a Grove” Akutagawa illuminates that the Buddhist Priest, Samurai, and Tajumaru all rebel the cultural traditions of Confucianism. The Buddhist Priest rebels the teachings of Buddhism by perceiving the woman, not the man. If he was truly a …show more content…
The samurai also known as Takehiko does not abide the Bushido code that all Samurais must obey. A samurai is a important military caste in Japan. They hold many beliefs based off the Bushido Code. For example, Tajomaru writes, “I took it up and stabbed it into my breast.”(Akutagawa 7) Takahiko has committed suicide with the sword lying down adjacent to him. He rebels the cultural traditions by killing himself. From chilhood they were trained to have self control. Takehiko does not present self control. The Bushido Code clearly claims, “Rectitude is one’s power to decide upon a course of conduct in accordance with reason, without wavering; to die when to die is right, to strike when to strike is right.”(1)He is not doing the right thing by piercing his breast with a shiny sword. He has to do what is right and set a example for other individuals. The Samurai has to lead his life by following the Budhiso code. Also, the Bushido Code confirms, “It is a man’s obligation to teach his children moral standards through the model of his own behavior”(8) Samurai is obligated to teach his the generation after him the right things to do and set a good example for them. The Budhiso code has strict rules that the Samurai’s are responsible for. If they go against the Budhiso code they will be punished. Takehiko rebels the Budhiso Code by taking his