Reading 1001 discussion

Review thread: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

1. What is the setting of Thousand Cranes?

2. What are some symbols in the novel Thousand Cranes?

3. What was the real reason Kikuji was asked to go to the tea ceremony in "Thousand Cranes"?

4. What does the pink crane scarf in A Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata symbolize?

5. Where in Thousand Cranes does it speak of trauma?

6. Does it belong on the list? Final thoughts.

1. What is the setting of Thousand Cranes?

It takes place in Tokyo and although there are moments on the train and on the street, it largely takes place in our Main Character's large and lonely home and his father's tea house in the back.

2. What are some symbols in the novel Thousand Cranes?

The construction of the novel is such that almost any reference could be taken as symbolic and a large number of the symbols refer to the transient nature of time. The thousand cranes on a kerchief bag makes reference to longevity. The 300 to 500 year old tea ceramics also refer to both the ongoing pace of time and how our existence is only a minor note in the long run. The flowers in the alcove die quickly in a vase that has seen 100's of years.

3. What was the real reason Kikuji was asked to go to the tea ceremony in "Thousand Cranes"?

It was a set up for him to meet the Inamura girl as a prelude to a discussion regarding marriage.

5. Where in Thousand Cranes does it speak of trauma?

Everywhere, but it is a trauma of remembered guilt, remembered loss, slightly displaced soothing emotions, slightly inappropriate sexuality....it is not a drastic trauma. It is an everyday human trauma.

6. Does it belong on the list? Final thoughts.
Yes

1. What is the setting of Thousand Cranes?

Japan in the years after "the defeat" as one of the characters calls it, the terrible destruction and shameful surrender that marked the end of World War II.

Most of the action takes place in Kikuji's family home, where only he now lives. His parents have died and he has neglected to take care of the house and his father's tea house in the garden.

2. What are some symbols in the novel Thousand Cranes?

The traditional tea bowls represent a contrast between male and female, being different colours. There is also a large vessel traditionally used for water for the tea in the ceremony, but both Kikuji and Fumiko use it as a flower vase, rejecting the traditional customs and ceremonies that their parents valued.

3. What was the real reason Kikuji was asked to go to the tea ceremony in "Thousand Cranes"?

He thinks it was to set him up for a possible matchmaking with Miss Inamura. But I think deeper than that, the aim was to embarrass/shame him as a form of revenge.

4. What does the pink crane scarf in A Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata symbolize?

I imagine the thousand cranes pattern is a form of decorative stitching or embroidery. I looked up what cranes symbolize in Japan, and apparently it's peace, happiness, longevity, and loyalty in marriage. None of the characters seem to have these good things! Perhaps Miss Inamura will, but she only hovers around the edges of the story.

5. Where in Thousand Cranes does it speak of trauma?

The whole novel is traumatic, reflecting Japan's trauma at the loss of the war, adult children's trauma at their parents' deaths, Chikako's trauma following her desertion by her lover, and perhaps trauma from her birthmark... everyone is traumatised!

6. Does it belong on the list? Final thoughts.

Yes, I think so! I thought it was beautifully written, if sometimes hard to comprehend or forgive the characters' actions.

1. Gail says Tokyo, but I thought it was set in Kyoto, a city known for its traditional tea houses, temples and gardens. It is set in the years following the devastating end to World War Two.
2. The tea ceremony is a symbol for tradition, the use of the teapot as a flower vase is a symbol of those traditions changing. The crane symbolises longevity. Origami cranes are folded to symbolise hope, so a thousand cranes is a powerful symbol. Fire, symbolising destruction is another recurring symbol.
3. The novel only hints at what Chikako's motive might be. She may be acting as a matchmaker, she may have simply wanted to emphasise the beautiful tradition of the tea ceremony The reader has to decide.
4. The scarf was a family heirloom, which Kikuji's father had given to Chikako, so it became a symbol of their love. It was fragile and beautiful, symbolising the transient nature of love, and therefore of regret.
5. It shows how past experiences, both the trauma of the war and the dropping of the bombs, and personal, such as in relationships, continue to influence the outlook and choices of the characters in the novel.
6. I loved this book and the careful descriptions Kawabata crafted, particularly of the tea ceremony. I don't think I have ever participated in a Japanese tea ceremony, but I have been part of many Chinese ones and the novel was an evocative description of my memories. I also enjoyed the description of gardens. Japanese gardens are wonderful!

Pip, you could be correct about it being Kyoto. I just believed the review on the back of my library edition: “a 28 year old Tokyo office worker… “ More importantly is what both you and Rosemary mention and I did not; that it was post war Japan when everyone was living with guilt and shame.

1. What is the setting of Thousand Cranes? Post War Japan

2. What are some symbols in the novel Thousand Cranes? Cranes, tea ceremony.

3. What was the real reason Kikuji was asked to go to the tea ceremony in "Thousand Cranes"? Meet a potential wife.

4. What does the pink crane scarf in A Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata symbolize? Immortality

6. Does it belong on the list? Final thoughts. I am in the minority I didn't get all of it, I didn't really enjoy it and I would probably remove it from the list.

1. What is the setting of Thousand Cranes?
Post-war (WWII) Japan where the old ways have been swept away and Japanese are dealing with shame and guilt.

2. What are some symbols in the novel Thousand Cranes?
The bowls of the tea ceremony, representing male and female. The cranes of Miss Inamura’s scarf. Flowers. The birthmark that represents an ugly stain on a character.

3. What was the real reason Kikuji was asked to go to the tea ceremony in "Thousand Cranes"?
It is the means for Chikako to insinuate herself into Kikuji’s life, to take control of his father’s legacy and to avenge herself on Kikuji and the Otas. On the surface it is to meet Miss Inamura, but this is also a part of her plot.

4. What does the pink crane scarf in A Thousand Cranes by Yasunari Kawabata symbolize?
Long life and loyalty. There is an irony about this as the relationships and happiness seem very transient and short lived

5. Where in Thousand Cranes does it speak of trauma?
Trauma affects all the female characters through their relationships, their abandonment or the loss of a loved one. Guilt and shame are referred to often. This mirrors the trauma of the war.

6. Does it belong on the list? Final thoughts.
I feel it does, it contains many of the themes and cultural markers for Japanese literature of the time, and it is beautifully written.