Jikan no Mukou,or The Other Side of Time: Tales for a Time Being and other Ghostly Experiences in Chinese and Japanese Literature. jikan no mukou,

Apr 29, 2023

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Tales for a Time Being is a captivating and poignant novel written by Ruth Ozeki. The book has been praised for its intricate plot, vivid characters, and insightful commentary on cultural themes. In this review, I will explore the cultural elements, hidden motifs, and zeitgeist of the book while also drawing comparisons to Japanese and Chinese ghost stories from the 16th and 17th centuries.

The book follows the story of a teenage girl named Nao, who lives in Tokyo, and her journey of self-discovery through her diary entries. Nao’s journal is discovered by Ruth, a writer living on a remote island off the coast of British Columbia. The narrative delves into various themes, including the trauma of war, suicide, and the nature of time.

One of the most interesting cultural themes explored in Tales for a Time Being is the tension between traditional Japanese culture and modernity. The novel touches upon how the technological advances of the 21st century are disrupting traditional ways of life and how these changes can impact individuals and society as a whole. Ozeki also weaves in a critique of the materialism of modern society, highlighting the emptiness and dissatisfaction that can arise from a consumerist culture.

Additionally, the novel touches upon the complexities of Japanese Buddhism and its place in contemporary society. Ozeki skillfully interweaves the teachings of Buddhism into the narrative, exploring concepts such as impermanence, mindfulness, and the interconnectedness of all things.

While Tales for a Time Being is not a traditional ghost story, it is heavily influenced by the genre. The book’s title, in fact, is a nod to the Japanese phrase “jikan no mukou,” which translates to “the other side of time.” This phrase refers to a liminal space where ghosts and spirits reside, and the book’s exploration of time and the afterlife make it clear that the author is heavily influenced by the genre.

In Japan, the ghost story genre is known as kaidan, and it has a rich literary history dating back to the 16th century. In particular, tales from the Edo period, such as Ugetsu Monogatari and Yotsuya Kaidan, are famous for their exploration of supernatural themes and their use of horror elements to explore societal issues.

In China, the ghost story genre has a similarly rich history, with famous works such as Pu Songling’s Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. The Chinese ghost story genre, known as guai tan, has been heavily influenced by Taoism and the belief in the afterlife.

Overall, Tales for a Time Being is a fascinating exploration of cultural themes, hidden motifs, and the zeitgeist of contemporary society. Ozeki’s masterful use of Japanese Buddhism and her incorporation of elements from the Japanese and Chinese ghost story genres make this novel a must-read for fans of Japanese and East Asian literature.

Tales for a Time Being can be an excellent resource for teaching Japanese philosophy and culture. The novel provides a rich exploration of Japanese cultural practices and beliefs, as well as the philosophical ideas that underlie them.

One way to use the novel in teaching Japanese philosophy is to focus on the concept of time. The novel is structured around the idea of time and its different manifestations, including the concept of “now” in Zen Buddhism and the cyclical nature of time in Shintoism. By exploring these concepts through the novel, students can gain a deeper understanding of Japanese philosophical ideas surrounding time and its role in daily life.

Another way to use the novel in teaching Japanese culture is to explore the concept of “honne” and “tatemae”. These are concepts that refer to the difference between one’s true feelings (honne) and the face that one presents to society (tatemae). The novel provides a rich exploration of these ideas through the character of Nao and her struggles with bullying and social conformity. By using the novel to explore these concepts, students can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural norms that shape Japanese society.

The book follows the story of a teenage girl named Nao, who lives in Tokyo, and her journey of self-discovery through her diary entries. Nao’s journal is discovered by Ruth, a writer living on a remote island off the coast of British Columbia. The narrative delves into various themes, including the trauma of war, suicide, and the nature of time.

One of the most interesting cultural themes explored in Tales for a Time Being is the tension between traditional Japanese culture and modernity. The novel touches upon how the technological advances of the 21st century are disrupting traditional ways of life and how these changes can impact individuals and society as a whole. Ozeki also weaves in a critique of the materialism of modern society, highlighting the emptiness and dissatisfaction that can arise from a consumerist culture.

Additionally, the novel touches upon the complexities of Japanese Buddhism and its place in contemporary society. Ozeki skillfully interweaves the teachings of Buddhism into the narrative, exploring concepts such as impermanence, mindfulness, and the interconnectedness of all things.

While Tales for a Time Being is not a traditional ghost story, it is heavily influenced by the genre. The book’s title, in fact, is a nod to the Japanese phrase “jikan no mukou,” which translates to “the other side of time.” This phrase refers to a liminal space where ghosts and spirits reside, and the book’s exploration of time and the afterlife make it clear that the author is heavily influenced by the genre.

In Japan, the ghost story genre is known as kaidan, and it has a rich literary history dating back to the 16th century. In particular, tales from the Edo period, such as Ugetsu Monogatari and Yotsuya Kaidan, are famous for their exploration of supernatural themes and their use of horror elements to explore societal issues.

In China, the ghost story genre has a similarly rich history, with famous works such as Pu Songling’s Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio. The Chinese ghost story genre, known as guai tan, has been heavily influenced by Taoism and the belief in the afterlife.

Overall, Tales for a Time Being is a fascinating exploration of cultural themes, hidden motifs, and the zeitgeist of contemporary society. Ozeki’s masterful use of Japanese Buddhism and her incorporation of elements from the Japanese and Chinese ghost story genres make this novel a must-read for fans of Japanese and East Asian literature.

On the themes in the novel and cultural elements across East Asia

In addition to the tension between traditional Japanese culture and modernity, Tales for a Time Being also explores themes of identity and belonging. The book’s protagonist, Nao, struggles with her identity as a Japanese teenager growing up in a Westernized world. She grapples with feelings of dislocation and a sense of not belonging, which is a common experience for many individuals growing up in multicultural societies.

Moreover, the book touches upon the experience of the Japanese diaspora and the struggle to reconcile with the trauma of the past. Through Nao’s diary entries, the book explores the legacy of World War II and the impact it has had on Japanese society. Ozeki also highlights the issue of suicide in Japan, which has the highest suicide rate among developed countries.

The novel also explores the cultural element of Zen Buddhism and its influence on Japanese culture. Through the character of Jiko, Nao’s grandmother, Ozeki delves into the teachings of Zen Buddhism and its emphasis on mindfulness and living in the present moment. This spiritual aspect of the book is reflective of the importance of religion and spirituality in Japanese culture, which has been shaped by a history of Shintoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism.

In terms of cultural elements across East Asia, there are similarities and differences between the ghost story genres of China and Japan. While both countries share a belief in the afterlife and the existence of ghosts and spirits, the cultural context and religious influences on their respective ghost story genres are distinct.

In China, the belief in ghosts and spirits has been heavily influenced by Taoism, which emphasizes the existence of spirits and the importance of ancestral worship. Chinese ghost stories often explore themes of morality and the consequences of bad behavior, highlighting the importance of living a virtuous life.

In Japan, the belief in the supernatural has been shaped by a history of Shintoism, which emphasizes the coexistence of the natural and supernatural worlds. Japanese ghost stories often explore themes of revenge, jealousy, and regret, and their horror elements are often used to explore societal issues.

Overall, Tales for a Time Being is a rich exploration of cultural themes and motifs across East Asia. The book’s incorporation of elements from Japanese and Chinese ghost story genres and its exploration of Buddhism and its teachings make it a fascinating read for those interested in the literature and culture of East Asia.

The Actor Arashi Wakano as a wakashu in a kappa (raincoat)
via JSTOR

The Gender in the Room

Taking a feminist lens, Tales for a Time Being provides a unique perspective on the experiences of women, both in Japan and in a global context. The novel touches upon issues of gender inequality, objectification, and misogyny, highlighting the challenges that women face in patriarchal societies.

The character of Nao, in particular, provides a nuanced portrayal of the experiences of young women in Japan. Nao’s struggles with bullying, sexual harassment, and the pressures of conformity are reflective of the challenges that many young women face in contemporary Japan. Through Nao’s experiences, the novel sheds light on the societal expectations placed on women in Japan and the impact that these expectations can have on their mental health and well-being.

Moreover, the novel explores the experiences of women across different cultures and time periods. Through Ruth, the novel’s other protagonist, we see the struggles faced by women writers in a male-dominated literary world. Ruth’s experiences with sexism and ageism in the publishing industry are indicative of the systemic barriers that women face in pursuing their creative ambitions.

In addition to its feminist lens, the novel also provides a commentary on the impact of colonialism and imperialism on Asian societies. Through Nao’s diary entries, we see the legacy of Japan’s imperialist past and the impact it has had on the psyche of the Japanese people. The novel also touches upon issues of cultural appropriation and the erasure of indigenous cultures in Japan, highlighting the importance of respecting and preserving cultural heritage.

Overall, Tales for a Time Being provides a feminist and postcolonial critique of Japanese society and its place in a global context. The novel sheds light on the challenges faced by women in Japan and provides a nuanced portrayal of the experiences of young women in contemporary society. It also explores the impact of colonialism and imperialism on Asian societies, highlighting the importance of understanding and acknowledging the histories of oppression and marginalization.

Ukiyoe by Mizuno To depicting the Battle of Pyongyang
15 September 1894
Location: Pyongyang, Korea
Result: Japanese victory, Chinese Army retreated from Korea

Post-colonial approach

Let’s focus on the novel’s exploration of the effects of colonialism and imperialism on Japan and its people, just bear with me here. This is possibly the most important segment today. The novel touches upon the historical and cultural legacy of Japan’s imperialist past, as well as the impact of Westernization on traditional Japanese culture.

Through Nao’s diary entries, the novel provides a critical examination of Japan’s militarist past and its consequences for Japanese society. The diary entries also touch upon the experiences of the Okinawan people and their oppression by the Japanese government. This serves to highlight the ways in which Japan’s colonialist history has affected not only its own citizens but also the people of other Asian countries.

The novel also explores the impact of Westernization on Japanese culture, as seen through the experiences of Ruth, a Canadian author living in Japan. Ruth’s attempts to immerse herself in Japanese culture are met with resistance, as she is seen as an outsider and a foreigner. This highlights the ways in which Western culture has been imposed on Japan and how this has led to a resistance to outside influence.

And then there is the matter of racist fascism. Ozeki’s novel explores the intersection of race, gender, and class in Japanese society. Through Nao’s experiences, we see the ways in which these categories intersect and how they affect the experiences of marginalized individuals in Japan. This serves to highlight the ways in which colonialism and imperialism have perpetuated systems of oppression and inequality in Japan and other Asian countries.

Tales for a Time Being provides a postcolonial critique of Japanese society and its relationship to the legacy of colonialism and imperialism. The novel explores the ways in which Japan has been affected by its own history of imperialism, as well as the ways in which it has been impacted by Western cultural influence. Through its nuanced portrayal of the experiences of marginalized individuals in Japan, the novel sheds light on the ways in which systems of oppression intersect and perpetuate inequality in Asian societies.

The novel also provides a rich exploration of the concept of mindfulness, which is central to Zen Buddhism. Through Nao’s diary entries, the novel provides a detailed exploration of mindfulness practices, including meditation and attention to the present moment. By using the novel to explore these practices, students can gain a deeper understanding of the role of mindfulness in Japanese culture and its potential benefits for mental health and well-being.

Overall, Tales for a Time Being can be an excellent resource for teaching Japanese philosophy and culture. By exploring the themes and concepts presented in the novel, students can gain a deeper understanding of Japanese cultural practices and beliefs, as well as the philosophical ideas that underlie them.

Tales For a Time Teacher

Tales for a Time Being can be an excellent resource for teaching Japanese philosophy and culture. The novel provides a rich exploration of Japanese cultural practices and beliefs, as well as the philosophical ideas that underlie them.

One way to use the novel in teaching Japanese philosophy is to focus on the concept of time. The novel is structured around the idea of time and its different manifestations, including the concept of “now” in Zen Buddhism and the cyclical nature of time in Shintoism. By exploring these concepts through the novel, students can gain a deeper understanding of Japanese philosophical ideas surrounding time and its role in daily life.

Another way to use the novel in teaching Japanese culture is to explore the concept of “honne” and “tatemae”. These are concepts that refer to the difference between one’s true feelings (honne) and the face that one presents to society (tatemae). The novel provides a rich exploration of these ideas through the character of Nao and her struggles with bullying and social conformity. By using the novel to explore these concepts, students can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural norms that shape Japanese society.

The novel also provides a rich exploration of the concept of mindfulness, which is central to Zen Buddhism. Through Nao’s diary entries, the novel provides a detailed exploration of mindfulness practices, including meditation and attention to the present moment. By using the novel to explore these practices, students can gain a deeper understanding of the role of mindfulness in Japanese culture and its potential benefits for mental health and well-being.

This is an excellent resource for teaching Japanese philosophy and culture. Hell, for teaching literature in general. What’s more human than debates on time, impermanence, meaning, and purpose? Ozeki has provided us a bronzer of a text, a weapon for shattering the literary canon. By exploring the themes and concepts presented in the novel, students can gain a deeper understanding of Japanese cultural practices and beliefs, as well as the philosophical ideas that underlie them.

Aside: Time and Shintoism appear in contemporary Japanese media again, and again. ask Link,

“It isn’t a coincidence that Miyamoto felt inspired by his childhood outside Kyoto and drew Shintoist elements into to create Legend of Zelda. Because, as Shintoism has grown to advocate an increasingly environmentalist message, that countryside has disappeared. It may be Miyamoto’s own longing for that lost childhood—and also, innocence—which had him create a game in which a young boy runs about the land restoring violated things, like trees, minds and bodies, back to their purer state. Link does this in most, if not all, subsequent games”