Mono no aware is the Japanese idea of the awareness of the transience of beauty and the ultimate sadness of life. After watching Early Summer can you better understand this concept? Where there scenes that evoked both feelings of joy and sadness, moments of beauty and tears? What were your emotions at the end of the film? What did you think about some of the images we discussed in class: the waves, the photograph, the child's balloon? Are there moments when you felt the sadness and the beauty of life?
Via the portrayal of Mono No Aware, Early Summer shows that there is beauty within the sadness of the impermanence of life. Throughout the film, Ozu utilizes waves, cake and a balloon to show this idea. The film opens with a stationary extra-long shot of a dog on a beach, surrounding by a fluid scene of waves. While the waves might seem insignificant at the opening, the connection is solidified in a final scene with Noriko and her step sister on the beach. By opening and closing the movie with a similar shot, it shows the manner in which life "floats away". Noriko is moving, changing her lifestyle, and changing the people in her life. When Noriko steps into the water, she is surrendering her former life to flow down a new path, out of her total control. Similarly, the emphasis of food in Japanese culture allows us to see the same sadness and joy with disappearance as it relates to cake. Through the director's use of Tatami, viewers see each scene around food and/or a table from the point of view of one of the actors; that is, the viewer watches from a straight on angle of the table, which happens to be low to the ground. This intimate camera placement and minimal camera movement reinforce the importance and emphasis on the food. This emphasis translates to the consumption and existence of cake. In each scene with cake, the family is exceedingly happy to be eating cake, but sad that there will be no cake left. When Noriko purchases an expensive cake, Yabe asks, "You don’t mind my having this?" since he knows that his consumption means less for the family. He even jokes that if "[she] is not going to finish the cake, [he] will." In this scene, the characters discuss Noriko's future. While the cake is disappearing forever, they discuss a future yet to come. This shows the idea that life moves on, but you can still appreciate what you had and what you will have. Noriko's parents are very vocal about this philosophy when they assume that the family will be together again in just a few short years after Noriko moves away. The final portrayal of Mono No Aware is the low angle extreme long shot of a balloon floating up into the sky. For a child, nothing is worse than accidently letting go of a big, shiny balloon. Noriko's parents mention this sadness when reciting stories of their son with balloons during their picnic. This extreme long shot serves two purposes. First, the surrounding discussion shows the sadness correlating with the impermanence of the balloon. Second, it shows the beauty of a balloon flying into the sky. This juxtaposition between beauty and sadness is the heart of Mono No Aware. While the camera may show us the aftermath in some scenes, the happenings of life continue to trudge on, and Mono No Aware allows viewers to see both the sadness and joy of this impermanence.
ReplyDeleteThe main idea of mono no aware is that the main bittersweet value/beauty of life is derived from its uncontrollable, fleeting nature. Ozu incorporates this concept in multiple scenes using symbolism. The very first scene in Early summer depicts a beach with waves continuously rolling in and out of shore. The continuous and inevitable nature of wave after wave going in and out of shore was symbolic of the inevitability of life that Ozu wanted to convey in Early Summer. Just how it is impossible to control the continuous rolling of waves, it is impossible to control the continuous passing of time in life. The mixed feelings of mono no aware was also conveyed through the interactions the old uncle had with his family. The uncle was shown to be very old, and worn out in a sense, due to his inability to hear most things around him such as the play or when the children were taunting him. The uncle is portrayed as a directionless, purpose lacking soul. He seems to be the most content character throughout the movie. He has no concerns, but also no goals he needs to achieve. This depiction of the uncle showed how, because he was so old, he no longer had a purpose in life. According to mono no aware, life only has purpose and value because of how short it is. Thus, because the uncle was so old, he had lost that value and purpose. However, he was the only character in the movie who didn’t seem to have to experience any type of conflict. It is a bittersweet feeling to know that in order to have no worries, one must be devoid of purpose and value. What makes it even sadder is the fact that by the time most people reach the point in life where they can live without a care in the world, they are already too old to enjoy many things that life has to offer.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, the scene of the balloon floating up into the sky also illustrated the bittersweet feeling of mono no aware. The balloon was a symbolic representation of the peaceful, inevitability of the passing of time in life. Just how time passes by in life, whether people would like it to or not, the balloon slowly floats upward, whether the original owner of the balloon wants it to or not. The balloon represented the ambiguous nature of mono no aware. On one end, the balloon acted as a simple yet meaningful form of entertainment for Noriko’s family members as they were on a walk. On the other hand, just as the grandmother put it, there was most likely a child in misery because of the fact that they just lost their balloon. Mono no aware is just as equivocal it explains life as being beautiful, but only because it doesn’t last very long.
Discussing Mono No Aware before actually watching the movie was extremely helpful to me because I don't know how well I would have picked the concept out in the movie. However, being aware of it going into the movie really made the places it appeared stand out and embody a greater meaning than it would have otherwise. Although the plot more follows the story of Noriko's path to marriage, the concept of Mono No Aware appears throughout to highlight the meaning of her journey and of those around her. Serving as one example is the scene in which Noriko's parents observe a balloon floating away into the sky. The parents mention that the child who lost it must be sad and crying. This part of the scene portrays the ill feeling of impermanence. But at the same time, it is something beautiful, simply floating free into the sky on its own path. The two sides of this example do an excellent job of portraying the concept of Mono No Aware, presenting its duality when it comes to happiness and sadness and how each can stem from the other. After a few other Mono No Aware examples such as the balloon one, portraying the impermanence and beauty of things as one, I felt bittersweet as the movie came to a close. I think that that Ozu does a great job with creating a feeling and putting it onto the audience. Within the few closing scenes, including the one with the parents reflecting as they view a bride out their window, I felt the same way as the characters. The parents of Noriko reflect that they are sad that their family has parted and that they did not necessarily agree with Noriko's choice, but they remember all the happiness they experienced together, perfectly capturing the essence of Mono No Aware. Their families physical togetherness couldn't last, but that was inevitable due to its natural impermanence. However they experienced countless happy times together which they are thankful for. The movie seemed to me to have quite a simple plot, but the Mono No Aware gave it a deeper meaning which the viewer had to pick out and give their own meaning to. I think it is helpful to understand the concept of Mono No Aware prior to watching the movie, that way one can see and interpret the meaning of the seemingly simple symbolism of Mono No Aware that is present throughout the movie.
ReplyDeleteBefore I watched Early Summer, I understood mono no aware as living your life to the fullest, while enjoying every moment with no regrets, as everything will come to an end at some point in your life. While I was watching the film, I noticed a few moments where this concept was portrayed. One moment that stuck with me was the conversation between the grandmother and grandfather of the family. They were talking about their life and their family, especially since it was growing, as Noriko was supposed to be a bride. They were appreciating how far they’ve come in their lives, admiring all of the moments with their family. I felt a sense of sadness because they felt like their time will come to an end, but happiness because they’ve enjoyed all that life had to offer for them. Another moment in the film that carried this sense of mixed feelings was the child’s balloon. Even though it was a simple shot of a balloon, it portrayed mono no aware because the balloon was a symbol of happiness for the child, but when it floated away, it showed that it was time to let go. These are just two moments in Early Summer that helped me understand the true meaning of mono no aware: all good things must come to an end. This film helped me realize that I need to be more present instead of constantly worrying about the future sometimes because if I don’t, I’ll miss the chances of admiring moments that are happening today. The concept of mono no aware also made me remember back to certain moments in my life where I’ve felt sadness, such as finding a toy that I had as a child or seeing something now that I wanted when I was a little girl. Those things make me stop and realize that time has gone by so fast, which brings some sadness, but also happiness because they bring back good memories from that time. Mono no aware helped me have a greater appreciation for everything in my life.
ReplyDeleteMarisa Mohapatra
DeleteEarly Summer helped me understand the Japanese idea mono no aware because of the realistic way it portrayed their lives throughout the film, showing the beauty and sadness of everyday life. The film tells a story of a family many can in some way relate to, and when they are at the point where they must split up, the viewers understand the sadness and are empathetic. Towards the end of the film, it is a bittersweet scene when Noriko and Fumiko go to the beach before Noriko leaves town. They are sad to say goodbye, but Noriko is excited about her new life. Before this scene, Noriko’s family is worried for her, but during Noriko’s discussion with Fumiko at the beach, we can see her excitement to marry Yabe and her outlook on the situation. The family eventually understands that they must allow their daughter to follow her heart. Towards the end of the film, it is sad, especially when you see them taking the family photo. They look very happy together, and they soon will be going their separate ways. The picture represents a moment that will forever be saved. Memories can be forgotten, but photographs help preserve moments. The family is splitting up, and this is the end of them being fully together in this way, but the picture helps them remember this time. This is what mono no aware is: knowing things are beautiful only because its lifespan limited. The joyful ending to the movie reminds the audience that although things must come to an end, there is plenty of happiness to appreciate and moments to cherish in your life.
ReplyDeleteIn the film, Early Summer, by Ozu, the concept of Mono No Aware is the very essence of the events that transpire in the film, as when our main character Noriko marries her husband, it shows us the impacts of change in our life.Beginning with Noriko's impulsive decision to marry her childhood friend Kenkichi, it's clear that Noriko and her family are very conflicted on this choice. What this conflict causes is for both parties to reconsider the societal norms of the world they live in, and whether or not those norms are worth it. In the final scene of the movie, we see that Noriko walks away, but is sad, and she looks as though she is second guessing her decision to marry Kenkichi. What that little interaction shows us is that Noriko is a bit scared about leaving her family, and it shows to us how hard it is to move on to a new chapter of your life. In other words, it shows how afraid we are at the impermanence of life. When we are going through something similar to Noriko, we are afraid of leaving behind a chapter of our life and we wish to keep cherishing that part of our life and never leave it behind. Noriko had friends, a good family, and overall seemed to enjoy her life greatly as an independent person. But the societal values and familial pressures of her time forced her hand into marriage.
ReplyDeleteWhile it may seem as though that's a bad thing, that's not the message of the film. The film is not trying to portray it as a bad thing; rather, as a bittersweet thing. On one hand, Noriko has many more opportunities and is a more respectable woman in the eyes of society. But on the other, she has lost much of her independence and is also having to leave her family behind. What this presents to us is the bittersweet impact of changes in life. Everything is a give and a take, everything has pros and cons. But what Ozu is saying through the philosophy of Mono No Aware, is that we have to cherish these chapters of our life, as our life will not stop. It's our job to make the most of whatever time is given to us in these chapters. Thus the philosophy of Mono No Aware is presented in the film.
In the film, Early Summer, Yasujirō Ozu uses symbols to convey the concept of Mono No Aware frames the life alternations of Noriko and her family, interestingly Noriko leads an untraditional lifestyle in 1951 Tokyo as an unmarried woman. Mono No Aware is the appreciation of life and the understanding that because life is fleeting it is precious. The director inserts the Mono No Aware sentiments into the film by following Noriko's family crumble and separate using symbols and highlighting the tumbling waves and floating balloon. Ozu frames Early Summer with a long shot of a dog strolling by waves that continuously washing ashore, swallowing everything on the shoreline into the uncontrollable tide. The inevitability and overwhelming pull of the wave are symbolic of how life is uncontrollable, opportunities will come and go but they are always passing. The uncontrollable quality of the waves is symbolic of the uncontrollable flow of time as to how life changes as time goes on. The unfortunate succession of time is highlighted as she ages without the company of a man, however, one day she decides to marry her childhood friend Kenkichi. In the end, Noriko cannot convince herself or her family of the marriage because she does not want to leave her family nor does she want to begin life again. This reaction highlights the sentiment of Mono No Aware as Noriko's time with her family and life as an independent woman are fleeting.
ReplyDeleteEarly Summer’s portrayal of Mono No Aware reveals that while life is evanescent, it is also beautiful. Mono No Aware is a Japanese term to represent the transience of life. Ozu uses the characters’ conversations, waves, and balloons to represent the philosophy of Mono No Aware. Throughout the film, the dialogue between characters reflects their acceptance that their lives are changing. For instance, Noriko’s grandparents exclaim “We have lived here for 16 good years” and “I wish we could have lived here forever, but that’s impossible.” Noriko’s grandparents are sad that they will be leaving Tokyo, a place they love and where they enjoy living. However, they understand that their lives are shifting and they should be thankful for the life they had in Tokyo. While the way the characters interact hints at Mono No Aware, Ozu also represents the concept with waves. When Noriko’s younger brothers run away from their house for a day, they walk along the coast. The viewer sees waves crashing into shore in front of the young boys. This scene represents how the new generation is growing up and will eventually overtake the old generation. The boys running away hints at their increasing level of independence and ability to support themselves. Waves are also depicted at the end of the movie when Noriko and her mother are on the beach and in the very last scene with a panning shot over the countryside. The waves at the beach signify Noriko’s new life replacing her old life. Now that she is married to Yabe, she will move to the countryside and assume new responsibilities. The waves signify that Noriko is no longer just a daughter, but also a wife. The last representation of waves is when the camera sweeps over the countryside and the wheat blows in the wind. This picture, similar to the beach scene, highlights Noriko’s growth. It also indicates that while Noriko’s family is sad to see her go, they are happy for her to start the next chapter in her life. The scene with the balloon floating into the sky evokes similar emotions in the viewer. Noriko’s parents see the balloon floating away into the sky and reminisce of similar experiences with their children. They talk about their two sons’ devastation when their balloons slipped out of their hands and flew away, never to be seen again. This scene displays the essence of Mono no Aware. It shows how beautiful the balloon is floating away in the sky; the balloon is very picturesque and appears almost like a painting. On the other hand, the balloon represents the sadness a young child feels when her or she loses his or her precious balloon. The connection between splendor and sorrow lies at the center of Mono No Aware. As life moves on continuously during the movie, the idea of Mono No Aware shows the viewer the impermanence yet beauty of life.
ReplyDeleteIn Ozu’s “Early Summer,” the concept of mono no aware is portrayed within many scenes by the juxtaposition of happy moments with the sad reminders of how these don’t last forever, but with different messages about how to be aware of this concept. The first notable example of this is when the family of Noriko is visited by an elderly uncle. The family goes out to a park together, and is shown to be having fun just by being around each other, accentuated by comedic moments with the young children interacting with the uncle and his poor hearing. However, this is where the tinge of sadness shows in this scene - it is not shown as so much of a bad thing, as the uncle appears to be in good spirits, but it is at the same time a reminder of how our bodies will eventually begin to fail us. The purpose of a scene like this is to remind the viewer of mono no aware, or the impermanence of things, and how we should appreciate what we have in this moment, particularly our capability to function at full capacity. Another key moment of this concept portrayed in the same way but with a slightly different message is the scene where Noriko tells her best friend, Aya, about her new husband and life. Throughout the film, an important bonding aspect between Aya and Noriko is their shared status as unmarried women in a society in which most women are married by their age. They are able to relate to each other through this, so the scene of Noriko telling Aya about her marriage conveys a certain sadness as the two are losing the similarity that they often related to. This is still shown to be a happy scene, however, as Noriko is happy about her new marriage and Aya is happy for her as well, which makes this scene another example of a juxtaposition of those opposite emotions. This is once again done to portray mono no aware, although in this case the impermanence is not about a physical object, but rather the concept of relationships. Noriko and Aya will still be great friends as they always have, but an important part of their relationship is changing due to the changing circumstances. The message here is slightly different from the aforementioned example of mono no aware, as now the viewer is being reminded that their relationships with other people are always subject to change, but this is not a bad thing as change is necessary for people to grow. Overall, these scenes and many others show the concept of mono no aware within different aspects of life, and also varying messages on how it will affect the viewer.
ReplyDeleteStone Zashin
ReplyDeleteLeading up to the film Early Summer, by Ozu, we had spent some time discussing what Mono No Aware is and its significance. When watching the movie Early Summer Mono No Aware wasn't always present. It reflected its meaning by not standing out as was used in a symbolistic way. The film focuses on Norikos path to marriage, but we see in many scenes Mono No Aware. For example, in the opening scene, we are shown a long shot of waves. At first glance, they don't necessarily seem significant, but the waves represent life in reality. How it is uncontrollable and how things will come and go at various times with no plan. Another symbol that is present throughout the film is food and how food represents Mono No Aware. For example, we see plenty of different situations for family eating, but there is usually a cake. These cakes are not just for eating as they represent life in a way. You will enjoy the cake, but when you do, you will then be sad because you finished it. The cake being finished represents the end of something great, which is a tragic but pleasant moment simultaneously as it is one of appreciation. Finally, at the end of the film, we see the scene where the balloon floats away effortlessly into the sky. This represents Mono No Aware as it is the end of such a powerful and eventful time of life. This is the end of a childhood of memories and stories for the future. This is genuinely a bittersweet moment as it is one that you can look back on with both sides of emotions.
In the film "Early Summer", the author Ozu includes many examples and symbols of the Japanese concept, Mono No Aware. Mono No Aware, Literally meaning, "an empathy towards things", is the general awareness of the impermanence of things which adversely causes the awareness of the significance of the things which are ongoing. Ozu portrays this concept in many ways. For example, Noriko’s grandparents reminisce about the time they have spent at their house and state, “I wish we could have lived here forever, but that’s impossible.” The phrasing of this translation is pretty blunt as well. The unsubtle statement of, "...but that's impossible" shows that Ozu is pushing the idea of Mono No Aware. Another example of Mono No Aware was the scene in which Noriko's parents are eating lunch outside. When they spot a balloon headed into the sky, they initially speak on how it probably ruined a child's day. The loss of this balloon caused someone sadness. However, they recognized the joy it had probably brought to the child and how the child may remember that experience for the rest of their life. The literal loss of the balloon is the reason the moment may become significant for the child. Finally, one of the most reoccurring symbols Ozu used to show Mono No Aware was waves. For example, After Noriko Married Yabe, she visits the beach. The waves at the beach signify her transition from he old life to her new life. Even though she is losing her current way of life, she will be able to look back with a sense of nostalgia. Another example is when the boys are running along the ocean side. The grand significance of them running away from home is hyperbolized by the waves in the background. Their denial of authority symbolizes an advancement in their own independence and a step away from innocence. Finally, the waves within the wheat fields in the final scene of the movie represents Noriko's moving to the country side to start an entire new chapter in her life.
ReplyDeleteConnor Carlson
Throughout Yasujirō Ozu’s, Early Summer, the concept of Mono no aware is portrayed consistently throughout the film. Some would argue that the main theme of this film is the idea of mono no aware and the sensitivity to life and the idea of beauty in impermanence. One of the ideas in the films that is an example of mono no aware is the expensive cake that appears multiple times. The cake that is purchased is not a regular item for Noriko and her family as it is expensive. When they do happen to have the cake they appreciate it, they appreciate the luxury of eating it in the moment. When the cake is gone the appreciate the time they had with it as well, rather than sulking about it being gone. This is the idea of mono no aware. This cake also represents a parallel between what Noriko and her family are experiencing with her preparing to leave. While the family is saddened that Noriko will be leaving, they realize that there is beauty in her next steps in life as she will be living a great life where she will be happy. The family also appreciated the time they got to have with her rather than being mad that she is leaving. With the cake and Noriko, people enjoyed them while they were there and will still appreciate the times they had with them when they are gone. I believe that after watching this film and seeing the parallel of mono no aware between the cake and Noriko that I better understand this concept.
ReplyDeleteEarly Summer and mono no aware as a whole argues that beauty is found only in death, yet we all resist decay because of its anguish. The famous Japanese author and reactionary Yukio Mishima argued that all purpose and beauty in life comes from the will to die for a great idea. That the great tragedy of modernity is the liberal democratic rejection of sacrifice, the noble man is no longer needed, a great death and thus a great life can no longer be lived. The film opens with the image of rolling waves next to a dog running along the beach. The shot conjures up the concept of impermanence and the cyclical nature of life and tradition contrasted with the desire for complete freedom. As the waves rush in and out melodically each moment is in constant change, there is no ability to hold on to the moment yet at the same time there is no room for freedom, the dog is chained to the shore. He is able to run free but is also constrained by his conditions, the scene is undeniably beautiful but it has beauty because it is changing, dying, and being reborn. So too the dog finds his place in the image only through constraining himself. Furthermore, shots within the house later on linger for an extended period while showing many rooms. The audience is left holding on to the moments of interactions between characters to show that the film does not exist merely to tell a story but to kill that story as well. Art and life become far more beautiful when one realizes its transient nature. It seems at times almost painful to be left behind as the cast leaves yet this pain is an emotion; the film has succeeded in making us feel something by its own death, a thing we could not feel in its life alone. Later in the film older relatives sit back and reflect on their life, they are happy to have lived, yet sad, and prepared to die in some sense. Mishima called this spiritual death, if one does not find in themselves a reason to sacrifice everything they chain themselves to this world, pampered with materialism, drowning in their own pleasure. Their will to die will intensify until they realize it would have been better to die earlier, to live a more beautiful life along the way, instead they will rot in their own flesh defeated and disgusting. Along these lines the ultimate death of the film climaxes with Noriko’s choice to marry Kenkichi thus breaking apart the family and destroying what we had once cherished. Many argue that this is a choice in line with liberal modernism but it shows above all else the will for a beautiful death and life. Like the Japanese samurai who committed seppuku for honor, Noriko choose the life of struggle and death rather than materialism and its empty promises. Her choice takes her to the rural frontier, her partner is not entirely in favor of the marriage, and we even see her walking in traditional wedding gowns toward the end. This is the traditional choice applied to modernity full of risk and pain. Mono no aware and thus traditional Japan in its essence is captured in her choice; die to the world and you will find eternal life, eternal beauty, and final rest.
ReplyDeleteThroughout An Early Summer, Ozu shows and helps the viewer better understand mono no aware through the various resemblance of objects, the feel and emotion evoked through imagery, and the simplistic familial plot. Mono no aware is the idea of having awareness and empathy for things; this includes people, objects, and just general life. It is common in Japanese culture, having an appreciation and love for impermanence. Starting in the beginning, the opening scene includes a dog skittering across a beach with small waves rolling in. This opening has a lot of symbolism with the waves representing the flow of life and the dog representing freedom. The following scene includes birds chirping outdoors. The grandfather’s hobby is making birdcages and keeping birds. This shows another lively aspect, this time a hobby. Hobbies are a part of everyone's life and are something to be cherished. Before the film gets into any dialogue, Ozu included two instances for the appreciation of life. Throughout the entire film, the camera is placed chest-level with the family. This gives the viewer the feeling of being in the same space as the family. This adds a more naturalistic feel, and it gives the viewer a sense of reality. To add to this, the family is at times quiet with little to no action going on. This helps give recognition for the little things in life. Finally, the whole plot in the film revolves around marriage which is a concept that is intertwined with family. Family is one of, if not the most important aspects of life. By plotting the whole film around marriage and family, Ozu clearly pictures the idea of appreciating what is had and what is given summarizing the whole concept of mono no aware.
ReplyDeleteMono No Aware is the idea that nothing lasts forever. Everything and everybody in life is impermanent. It is having empathy towards life and understanding that there is a slight sadness to life. Throughout the film, An Early Summer, Ozu demonstrates this concept with certain themes and objects through the lens of an appreciation for life and its fleeting nature. The introductory scene depicts a dog playfully running through the sand of a beach while the small waves crash slowly onto the shore. These images capture Mono No Aware through its simple joy and demonstration of complete freedom in life. Additionally, Norikos parents notice a balloon floating in the sky and feel as if the child who lost it was most likely very upset about losing their ballon. The balloon is shown drifting off into the sky. Mono No Aware shines through in the scene displaying the idea that nothing lasts forever; good or bad. It captures the very essence of the ideology behind the Japanese concept. In general, the scenes throughout the movie linger on and outlast the characters. The film continues to role even when there is nothing necessarily happening on screen. This technique allows for the viewer to stop and look at things such as the family room and the house and appreciate the small things that mean so much to the characters in the film. It allows the audience to connect with the objects and messages without rushing into the next scene, which opens the door for an empathetic viewer who can feel completely immersed in the story unfolding by forming connections with the silence and the state of being that the characters are within. The viewer is granted an opportunity to really stop and appreciate the lives of each and every character. This captures Mono No Aware's emphasis on the simple things in life.
ReplyDeleteCara Kannensohn
DeleteYasujirō Ozu’s film, Early Summer, demonstrates the concept of Mono No Aware in a way that really reinforces the idea that there is beauty in each of our dwindling lives and you must cherish those moments because the future is not always a given. Completely understanding Mono No Aware is a difficult task, but this motion picture does an excellent job of explaining it in a relatable way through symbolic storytelling. The first scene, a long shot of calming waves rolling over on a beautiful beach, sets the stage for an outstanding Mono No Aware breakthrough. Near the end, the art-wrenching scene of Noriko and her mother at the beach presents the wonderful symbolism shared between the beautiful waves quickly passing by and Noriko's decision to finally get married. They both represent how we should appreciate each and every moment in our evanescent lives instead of mourning how short our lives are. Ozu’s use of characters throughout the film is also extremely effective at evoking the sadness and admiration that is Mono No Aware. Throughout the movie, there are scenes where the two children, Isamu and Minoru act ungrateful and rude towards the elderly uncle who simply just sits there and laughs or smiles. The great uncle represents the ultimate frame of mind where one can finally admire everything that makes our wildly short lives so magnificent, even the seemingly annoying and insignificant ones. The children represent those who do not understand the concept and don’t yet appreciate the impermanent beauty of life. Ozu geniusly ends the movie with an impressive, cinematically sound scene that captures a balloon floating away in the sky from a low angle and extreme long shot, which punctuates the fleeting nature of life as the balloon gets further and further away. It is a perfect way to finish as it accentuates the idea of Mono No Aware that he so elegantly incorporated throughout the entire movie. Overall, Early Summer truly teaches us to cherish every positive moment because acting sad and helpless about the shortness of life will lead you to realize you have wasted your precious time on Earth.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteAs we learned in class, Mono No Aware refers to a bittersweet realization that things are not the way they used to be and that things change. Yasujirō Ozu’s film, “Early Summer” does a great job helping viewers understand the concept of Mono No Aware as it is portrayed through the lives of the main characters. This movie has many scenes that evoke different emotions and feelings of sadness and joy, but the one scene that stuck out to me the most is towards the end of the film where Noriko has completely made her decision to marry Kenkichi Yabe. In this 1951 film, we get to learn about the Mamiya family. One of the daughters named Noriko, the main character of the film, seems to enjoy her career, family, and friends. Although she seems to be living her life to the fullest, her traditional family worries that she has still yet to marry someone, considering the fact she is 29. Eventually, Noriko decides to marry a man named Kenkichi Yabe. Her family finds it very hard to support her decision because of Yabe’s age and the fact that he has a kid. Eventually, the family is forced to live with Noriko’s decision. Once they know that Noriko must leave with the Yabe family, the Mamiya family takes a photograph together. This scene is a feel-good moment because everyone is together smiling, but below the surface, it represents the last time the family will be together for a while. This sad realization signifies the beauty and sadness of life, as it has different meanings good and bad. Shortly after this scene, Noriko is walking down the road with other people, leaving for good, as the parents reflect on their family not being together anymore. The final shot of the film is a field waving side to side, showing that it is summer and that the nature of things is never permanent. These two and many other parts of the film show the beauty and sadness of life, which makes Mono No Aware well represented in Early Summer.
Ozu’s Early Summer opens on a still: a lazy summer’s day. On a high angle shot we are shown a scene of several birds caged, yet still singing. This image of caged birds comes up periodically throughout the runtime, interspersed randomly across tranquil scenes. The song of the caged bird, a rather peaceful melody for the predicament, is the ethereal example of mono no aware. Mono no aware is our quiet expression, our peaceful articulation, leveled at the banality of the world, the bars of the mundane we find ourselves trapped by. Perhaps even the acceptance of the abundantly ordinary, the totally uncontrollable, the painfully routine.
ReplyDelete“We shouldn't ask for too much.” This phrase, commonly espoused by Noriko’s father, embodies the characters’ relationships with the future. Life is transient, as are all material things. A life of austerity may give greater fortune and pleasure then of one of wealth and honor. As legendary Japanese writer Osamu Dazai writes, “Everything passes.” In his book No Longer Human the main character Oba writes to length about his distaste of the mundane, how disturbed he is by the solemnity of the three meals in a day. He expresses embarrassment and regret for his wealthy roots – and how he has never felt truly hungry. The relative ease that his family procures and consumes jellybeans, a beautiful and decorative food, disgusts him. That even beautiful and ethereal things, valued for their luxury and rarity, can be subsumed into eating to satisfy hunger is horrifying to him. That is why he sees the passing of the sakura blossoms in the spring as Japan’s most unique and valuable moment, because they are fleeting – ephemeral. A drastic dichotomy from the Western-style, rapacious ethics proliferating across the world in the post-war years, Dazai hates the consumable, adores the delicate beauty of the evanescent. Noriko’s choice to marry Kenkichi over the rich doctor adheres to this philosophy, a choice to accept the mundane, to find peace within the plain, the everyday, versus the exciting and modern. As her friend comments, she thought that Noriko would live a modern American life replete with a picket fence and sloped porch. But, as Noriko explains, she discovered a sudden love for Kenkichi that materialized slowly over the decades – a cogent contradiction. Beauty truly is not consumable nor trite in this film. In fact, it is placed on a pedestal deemed by the characters too pristine to be even desired. Noriko chooses to marry Kenkichi, the balloon floats away, the caged bird sings. Early summer is love of the painfully mundane.
The importance of scenery to mono no aware cannot be understated. It could perhaps be said it is more important than the plot. A special care is placed into every scene, every commonplace, routine, tedious encounter is heightened to a voluptuous crescendo of meaning. Why pad the runtime with boring shot after ordinary scene if not to romantically portray our relationship with the mundane? Like the sakura blossoms transient beauty, mono no aware teaches us to appreciate, even love, the endlessly normal, the purely routine, the obliquely ordinary. Even the caged bird sings.
In Yasujirō Ozu's 1953 film "Early Summer", mono no aware exists as an overarching theme that influences the characters' outlook on life. Mono no aware is a Japanese idea of finding beauty in the uncertainty and impermanence of things, and Ozu demonstrates this idea both through symbols and through the actions of the characters themselves. The cake, for example, is used as a symbol through which viewers of the film see Noriko's respect for the idea of mono no aware. When Noriko, Yabe, and her sister-in-law Fumiko are sitting around a table eating cake, Yabe is initially apprehensive about eating the cake, worrying about how much it cost and how rarely Noriko eats it. Noriko tells him to disregard this and just eat the cake, representing a desire to avoid preoccupation with other issues and instead merely enjoy the beauty of the cake; this is referenced in the poem that we read earlier about mono no aware, which laments a preoccupation with worldly desires causing a loss of sensitivity to beauty. Another instance in which Noriko's adherence to mono no aware is tested is closer to the end of the movie, where she is talking to her sister-in-law; she talks about how after marrying Yabe, she will not be as wealthy and not be able to afford luxuries like shortcake, but also states that if someone else were to offer her some, she would accept it. This represents the idea of mono no aware in two ways; firstly, Noriko and Fumiko are accepting the bittersweet fact that Noriko will leave her family to get married, and even smiling about it as if it's something to cherish. Secondly, it shows how Noriko is willing to take advantage of and enjoy coincidences such as someone else offering her shortcake, implying that this lack of access to shortcake is impermanent and that she will cherish this impermanence. The rest of Noriko's family also displays mono no aware when they learn that Noriko is engaged to Yabe. While they are initially angry, anger eventually gives way to hope, as they believe that this separation will be impermanent and they will see Noriko again. They appreciate and reminisce upon the times they spent together in the house, and Noriko's father accepts the separation of the family by saying that they will be reunited again; in this way, they show the inevitability of change combined with the implication that the impermanence of this separation will mean that it will not entirely be a bad thing. Finally, the last scene of the movie is more a symbol of mono no aware than anything, as Noriko's parents are taking care of her great-uncle in a much more rural area than they were in initially; this represents that even the home they live in is impermanent, but it is something to find beauty in due to the fact that they can enter a new stage of life and care for those that they love.
ReplyDeleteEarly Summer helped me understand the concept of mono no aware through a rich story of life and happiness, giving a detailed description of it within the length of the movie. Our discussion about mono no aware was very helpful towards my understanding, however, as without a base layer of understanding surrounding this topic, I may have missed some examples of it. One example of such could have been when Noriko bought an expensive cake, and her friend was freaking out about it, as she thought it was a waste of money for cake to be that expensive. Although this is a small example, it could be said that here, money is not what makes food special, rather the taste and quality of who you get it from makes it good. Earthly pleasures like expensive goods are not the best options, and contentment with a simple life is promoted. However, there were very clear examples of mono no aware in this film as well, which we discussed in class.Those scenes which stood out to me were the scenes at the beach, with the waves, and the scene with a balloon flying away into the sky where the grandpa comments on it. The beach, to my interpretation, represents the constant movement of life, as the waves will always move forward, slowly moving up the beach, much like the slow aging of humans. The movie begins and ends on a beach, which represents life as a cycle, where there will be new lives, and new stories being told, so be content with the life you have, and life freely. Where the grandfather mentioned how a child will be sad without their balloon represents the understanding that without maturity, the child will be upset after losing materialistic things. However the sage grandfather understands mono no aware, and lives his life according to those beliefs. Overall, this movie created a new understanding of what to live life means, and my comprehension of mono no aware has deepened after viewing. The different view on life was shown greatly in this film, and the emotional aspect was much different than other films we’ve seen.
ReplyDeleteThroughout Yasujirō Ozu’s Early Summer, the ideology of mono no aware is intertwined with the plot of the film, and heavily focuses on the beauty of the present while simultaneously remaining aware of its eventual demise. This is evident when referring to the opening scene, and introduces the film with the constant crashing ocean tides, and is always in a state of impermanence. Although a miniscule detail, the ocean tides are the essence of what mono no aware means, and brings forth the notion that although the approaching tides may seem endlessly far, we can only truly appreciate their beauty by understanding that they will eventually retract back into a vast ocean. Characters such as Noriko’s uncle display a deep understanding of what it means to be in a constant state of mono no aware throughout the film, and are able to fully appreciate the present as a result. Towards the beginning of the film, Noriko’s uncle arrives at the Mamiya household in hopes to visit and reconnect with his physically distant relatives. As he is gazing out the patio windows, Minoru and Isamu (the two little boys) decide to start ridiculing the old man by calling him stupid. Instead of getting angry and punishing the children, he simply laughs it off. Now why would somebody such as the uncle not be angered by such disrespectful behavior? The reason is because the uncle understands that the two boy’s will eventually mature, and will abandon all forms of innocence and childish behavior in doing so. Although never explicitly stated, it is reasonable for one to assume that the uncle is cherishing this silly moment because of its transient nature, and makes the instance every more so bitter-sweet. Someone that shares similar beliefs than the uncle is Noriko’s father, and he too lives in a perpetual state of mono no aware. An instance where Noriko’s father shows his belief in mono no aware is during the family's dispute as to why Noriko is getting married to Kenkichi Yabe, a widowed man with a daughter. Noriko’s mother and brother desperately try to convince Noriko out of this marriage because it is “not beneficial” for both parties. Contrastingly, Noriko’s father does not intervene or shame Noriko for making a supposed bad decision, but rather leaves it up to her to decide her fate. Noriko’s father realizes that scolding will not convince his daughter to change her mind, and understands that the exact instant is but a tiny grain of sand in an endless sea of emotions and experiences.
ReplyDeleteBefore watching Ozu’s Early Summer, I defined “mono no aware” as a neutral state that is neither happy nor sad, hinged on the transience and impermanence of the world we live in. I said that it is kind of like nostalgia and optimism combined but a little more heady than either of those individual concepts. I believe, however, that watching Early Summer helped me to further grasp the concept in a much more tangible way. No scene in this film quite brought me to tears, though that could be chalked up to the experience of watching it in a public setting rather than in the comfort of my own home. That said, there were many scenes that evoked both joy and sadness in myself and, I would assume, other viewers. Ozu uses the combination of symbolism and the concept of “mono no aware” to create a sense of serenity and balance between the emotions. Some of the symbolism used includes the cake, which represents decadence (short term gratification with long term costliness), and the balloon, which represents the loss of innocence that comes with growing up, and not knowing what you have until it’s gone. At the end of the film, I felt rather at peace, although nothing in me had really changed from the beginning. I think that’s the beauty of Ozu’s work. It doesn’t take the viewer too far out of their comfort zone, but subtly prompts them to reflect on the beauty and sadness in their own lived experiences.
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ReplyDeleteYasujirō Ozu’s film entitled Early Summer sheds light on the tranquility and beauty of the Japanese concept of mono no aware and the inevitable fleet of life.
ReplyDeleteThe family’s mission to find a suitor for Noriko is central to the plot of the film. Throughout the search Noriko remains optimistic throughout adversity, always managing to find reasons to laugh and smile. However, in doing so, she lets time pass her buy and goes from ridiculing the institution of marriage to suddenly accepting a marriage proposal from a widower’s mother. Ultimately, her actions catch up with her as she, possibly for the last time, shares a meal with her family. While there is no doubt in her mind that she will be with the right man, she cannot help but weep at the realization that the last couple of decades or so of her life had already passed and it was time to move on from her family. Such compelling imagery and storytelling from Ozu heightened my appreciation with the concept of mono no aware and how one should lessen their pace in life as to not let their fond memories become relics of the past. Perhaps the character that understands this concept the most is the great uncle. Though his hearing ability was not as strong as it may have once been, it is clear from his interactions with others that he can hear properly. Yet during the juxtaposition of the young and old, he chooses to ignore the insults and cries of his great nephews. His actions tell the audience that he has understood that one must learn to pick and choose their battles and to not waste one’s precious time over smaller issues. In the end, the old man chuckles at the vibrance and face-paced nature of the youth and stares out of the window.