Content Warning: Brief mention and discussion of sexism and suicide.
In this episode, I tell the myth: "Of a Mirror and a Bell". This Japanese ghost story was first written in The Kwaidan in 1903, though the reference describes the myth to be much older, from the Heian Period. We're delving deep into history today to unearth some complexities about political philosophy, sexism, and capitalism. Don't let all my analysis fool you though, this myth was made to be told and enjoyed, and it certainly is! The tale is structured in a particular way that permits the fusion of three different genres via the use of time jumps.
We'll also discuss the unique animism present in Japanese mythology which stresses the life of everyday objects. This personification of the everyday is a driving force in the myth, pushing the narrative itself along.
Thank you for listening!
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