Yoriko+and+Shibuya


 * Shibuya**

Shibuya is a traditional, old and conservative Japanese man. He has been very influenced by the Western culture, especially in terms of clothes. “Shibuya had devoted his life to elegance in dress.” He wears fine western suits which opposes to his character as a traditional Japanese man.

He has many self-respect and leads to him thinking others should pay him equal respect he has for himself. “They have no feel for fabric of design because they have never worn fine clothes for themselves.” He has respect for the bourgeois and judges others by their appearance, particularly by the quality and taste of the clothes they choose to wear.

Shibuya is not daunted or intimidates by the difference in status which exists between himself and Fusako. “The old man looked at the woman as though he were examining a piece of fabric in his hand. Even if she was his employer.” He judges people for their quality, comparing them in terms of fabric.

shibuya’s first appearance is on pg. 32, opening a door, but he is mentioned prior to this. She is not mentioned a lot in the novel and this is one of the rare apperance of this character.

shibuya does not have many appearances, and his role in the company is largely controlled by fusako. this may be a reflection of japan’s mindset immediately after the war; passive, and under foreign administration.

Shibuya named as boss of the company is quite ironic. Even though she is called the boss Fusako takes control of the company and Shibuya is just a person put in that position because of simple reason only by Fusako

shibuya does not undergo much characterisation. what is known from him comes from the third person narrative e.g. “Shibuya had devoted his life to elegance in dress”. through this method, some things are sketched out, such as what fusako feels is his attitude towards woman (“the old man looked at woman as though he were examining a piece of fabric in his hand”)


 * Yoriko**

Yoriko is a young Japanese actress. She is reflected as the type of people who talks before thinking and because of this she causes offense to Fusako at the time of a conversation. “What do you think about that? That’s men for you. Not that there aren’t exceptions…” Her carelessness with other people thoughts and feelings creates discomfort and generally becomes unpopular amongst others. On the other hand she presents a very practical and cynical, western way of thinking. “Well, in one week I had found out that a certain person was seeing three women and has already fathered to bastards…” She seems to understand what she’s doing and is experienced on how to handle relationships.

She desperately wants to win the best-actress award and is prepared to go to great lengths, including using her body to persuade the judges. “Winning a best-actress award had become and obsession with Yoriko…she would proffer her body to every member of the jury without hesitation if she thought that might help.” This informality shows the western influence she is under moreover, actresses are not seen as a good profession in those days.

Yoriko is an insecure character. She portrays strong feelings of insecurity for example, saying she envies Fusako’s beauty when she is a beauty herself. “Yet she was tormented by vague feelings of inferiority.” Nevertheless this does not have effect on her lack of respect owed to those older than her. She is straightforward and treats elderly as peers which reflects signs of western influence.

yuriko’s first appearance is on pg 32 as well, but her most notable appearance is from 124-126, when she has a lengthy conversation with fusako. it is here that she goes from gaining fusako’s respect to infuriating her. she is never seen again in the novel.

yuriko however is brash and pushy, which may be a reflection of Japan’s postwar generation. like her, they also embraced western popular culture, and their attitudes towards their elders range from indifferent to scornful.

The main character relationship Yuriko has is with only Fusako. Yukiro thinks of Fusako as a good friend while Fusako doesn't like Yuriko as much and thinks of her as custumer at her shop.