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Changes in the depiction of prostitutes in Okinawanan literary magazines.

  • Journal of Japanese Culture
  • 2019, (82), pp.257-278
  • DOI : 10.21481/jbunka..82.201908.257
  • Publisher : The Japanese Culture Association Of Korea (Jcak)
  • Research Area : Humanities > Japanese Language and Literature
  • Received : June 30, 2019
  • Accepted : August 5, 2019
  • Published : August 31, 2019

BAK YUN HUI 1

1제주대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This study considers the changes in the representation of prostitutes in Okinawan literary magazines after the Pacific War. Specific targets include the four works published in "New Okinawa Literature," “Subtropical Regions” Kyotaro Arasaki’s "Sotetu no Mura" (1976), Sueko Yoshida’s "Kamara Shinju" (1984), Nobuko Yamanoha’s "Ad Balloon" (1988), and Yasuko Ukumura's "Uradori" (1990). First, "Sotetu no Mura" features a prostitutes named "Pan Pan" a symbol of the American occupation, became targets of anger in Okinawa. The reason is to identify the occupied territory with the body of a prostitute. In Yamanoha’s "Ad balloon," the prostitute recognizes herself as unclean and negative. In a patriarchal male-dominated society, women who dream of breaking away are emerging, producing a variety of metaphors represent the changing image of women. Later, in the 1980s, Ukumura Yasuko’s "Uradori" and "Kamara Sinju" and women's entry into society under the influence of the Japanese women’s liberation movement also affected literary works, and women began to appear as sexually self-directed women. However, there is a difference in writers’ portrayal of prostitutes. This study will not only serve as an opportunity to redefine the image of prostitutes in Okinawan literature but also serve as an opportunity to grasp the reality of Okinawan women.

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