@article{ART003306548},
author={YiGyesam},
title={A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure},
journal={Cross-Cultural Studies},
issn={1598-0685},
year={2026},
volume={77},
pages={357-392}
TY - JOUR
AU - YiGyesam
TI - A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure
JO - Cross-Cultural Studies
PY - 2026
VL - 77
IS - null
PB - Center for Cross Culture Studies
SP - 357
EP - 392
SN - 1598-0685
AB - This paper examines the ideological perspective of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" that emerged in the later years of Ishimure Michiko (1927–2018). Ishimure centered her literary work on "Minamata disease," a symbol of the darker aspects of Japan's period of high economic growth, and engaged in a spiritual confrontation with the violence of modern civilization. This study highlights her experiences and memories during the struggle surrounding Minamata disease.
After first encountering Minamata disease patients in 1959, Ishimure spent many years alongside them. During this time, she observed disputes over monetary compensation, the internal divisions among patients and their families, and conflicts within the local community. Additionally, she was troubled by the violence of the modern medical system, particularly the autopsies conducted on deceased patients. This led her to feel profound despair toward the spiritual emptiness of contemporary urban civilization, which she witnessed firsthand at the site of the struggle. When the psychological suffering from these experiences reached its peak, she began to perceive the "soul" not just as a metaphysical concept, but as a tangible spiritual "reality." It is from this realization that the seeds of "forgiveness and responsibility" seem to have emerged.
The attitude of "forgiveness and responsibility," which encapsulates Ishimure's late-period thought, was shaped by the experiences and memories she gathered from the Minamata struggle. It served as a means to shield herself from the "grudge" that plagued her and as a way to continue her spiritual confrontation with modern violence.
By contrasting the beauty of the non-modern world with the harsh realities faced by Minamata disease patients, Ishimure created a significant political tension. However, this paper argues that in her later years, Ishimure eased this political tension by framing the Minamata struggle as a matter of the "soul," portraying the victims as moral and aesthetic symbols, and systematizing these concepts into the philosophy of "forgiveness and responsibility."
KW - Ishimure Michiko;Minamata Disease;Forgiveness and Responsibility;Experience and Memory;The Reality of the Soul
DO -
UR -
ER -
YiGyesam. (2026). A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure. Cross-Cultural Studies, 77, 357-392.
YiGyesam. 2026, "A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure", Cross-Cultural Studies, vol.77, pp.357-392.
YiGyesam "A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure" Cross-Cultural Studies 77 pp.357-392 (2026) : 357.
YiGyesam. A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure. 2026; 77 357-392.
YiGyesam. "A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure" Cross-Cultural Studies 77(2026) : 357-392.
YiGyesam. A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure. Cross-Cultural Studies, 77, 357-392.
YiGyesam. A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure. Cross-Cultural Studies. 2026; 77 357-392.
YiGyesam. A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure. 2026; 77 357-392.
YiGyesam. "A Consideration of the Ideology of "Forgiveness and Responsibility" in the Late Works of Michiko Ishimure" Cross-Cultural Studies 77(2026) : 357-392.
