The Peach Orchard section in Kurosawa’s film “Dreams”, demonstrates how important Kami is in the Shinto belief. Not only does it emphasize on Kami but also on the notion that nature is ‘alive’. In Shinto, the word kami is a powerful, important spirit/force that lives in certain things. Everything (spirit and matter) is somewhat connected so if this connection is broken or separated then there becomes an imbalance. It starts with a boy being lured out by a ‘spirit’ girl to a cut down peach orchard near his home. When he gets there, the boy encounters Kami from the peach tree orchard that once blossomed there.
The Kami tell the boy that they are very upset for being cut down and that his family is responsible. The boy replies by saying that he was sad and cried when he realized what had happened. Although the boy wasn’t responsible for the cutting of those trees, his family was. The Kami of the trees realized that boy indeed cared about them and not just for their peaches. The Kami see him as a good boy however they explain to him that they won’t watch/visit over his home ever again. In the Shinto belief, this is the worst thing that could happen to anyone. In class Prof. Rasnic talked about how one of the worst sins in the Shinto belief is to do anything against something sacred. Since his family cut down the trees, this is their punishment.
I also chose this short video because iit repreasent the worse of the sins.An although the Kmi were upsetat first at the boy they relized it wasnt his fault which I think shows us a type of compassion and forgivness even from the Kami.
ReplyDeleteEven though the Kami said they wouldn't visit his home again, they still let him enjoy one last peach blossom bloom before the left. I think this was important because it showed the Kami did not wish to punish him fully, only teach him that he shouldn't be like his parents when it came to nature.
ReplyDeleteI think that you guys made a very good point that while the family had committed the worst offense, the boy had not and still held the love for the kami in his heart, and so they chose not to punish him to the same extent. The kami do not seek to destroy humans as long as humans do not seek to destroy them. The relationship between kami and humanity is supposed to be one of mutual appreciation. This section of the movie illustrated that point well.
ReplyDeleteI also watched this part of the film and I had some of the very same thoughts as yours. The young boy did not deserve to be punished because he had a true adoration for the peach orchard where as his family was the one who should have been given the punishment. I feel that their actions should have deserved the punishment as opposed to the young boy who really did not take a big role in the cutting down of the trees.
ReplyDeleteI did not watch this video but I think it is interesting that the Kami still did not wish to protect the boy of his family, even though they knew he was saddened by the cut down orchard. Maybe in Shinto there is a belief that you only have one opportunity to do the right thing. Also, I'm not sure if this is true of Shinto, but from you analysis of this video it seems that not only must you take serious responsibility for your own actions, but also for your family. Wow, ancient Japan sounds like a tough place to live! ha
ReplyDeleteIt is really interesting that you were able to pick up on the theme of dishonor in the video clip. That was something that I was unable to pick up on. It is very intersting to me that the Kami were able to "forgive" the boy in a sense, for his family's dishonor towards the Kami. I thought that dishonor was something that was unforgivable. Themes of compasstion are evident from the Kami towards the boy when they are able to show the boy the peach orchard in bloom for one last time.
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