Analysis of Yoshiko Uchida's Short Story, The Piece of Straw
The Piece of Straw is a folk tale from Japan, and it is about "...a poor young man who lived all alone" (Uchida 36). The young man, who is the main character, had no one to go to and was running out of money. The man was obviously not in the noble class and most likely did not have access to literature. Since the man was unsatisfied with his lifestyle, he went to the Hase Temple and "...knelt before the shrine of the goddess of mercy" (Uchida 36). Shintoism is a religion that contains many shrines that are essential for the identity of this religion. The main character very well could have been a follower of that faith. In any case, the man stayed in his spot in front of the shrine and did not move, hoping for a sign of some sort. The priests of the temple felt sorry for the man and they brought him food and water so the man would not die. The man stayed there for many days and eventually had a vague dream. In it, the man was told that after he left the temple, the first thing his hand touches would bring him good fortune. What he touched did not matter, but what was important is that whatever he touched, that he kept it safe. After having that dream, the man left the temple. However, as he left and was close to turning onto the road, the man fell and ended up touching a piece of straw. Since he was obedient to what he was instructed to do, he kept the piece of straw and carefully held it. Japanese people stick to their beliefs and religion for they believe that their religion can guide them to a life where they are able to have everything they ever wanted.
Later, as he was walking, the man strung an annoying horsefly on his stick with the piece of straw and continued on walking. He encountered a noblewoman and her son. In exchange for the tied bug on the stick, the man received three big oranges. The man continued on in the heat and saw a group of people walking towards him. A woman fainted and the young man gave the guards his oranges for her to drink the juice out of. By doing this, the women gave the man three rolls of silk. As he kept going, he came across a dead horse and took the horse for he gave the man a roll of silk. He prayed to the goddess and the horse lived again. Again, Japanese people tend to be very devoted to their religion and have a lot of faith. In any case, the man then later exchanged the beautiful horse to get three rice fields and live in a house that could become his after some time. The rice fields were extremely productive and made the man become wealthy. Additionally, the man was heavily respected in the town. The young man eventually got married and had a family. The single piece of straw really did bring him "...great good fortune and happiness..." (Uchida 41).
The Piece of Straw reveals several characteristics of the Japanese culture in multiple aspects, brought about in a simple yet effective way. It is evident that religion and faith is an indispensable factor that affects a culture.
Later, as he was walking, the man strung an annoying horsefly on his stick with the piece of straw and continued on walking. He encountered a noblewoman and her son. In exchange for the tied bug on the stick, the man received three big oranges. The man continued on in the heat and saw a group of people walking towards him. A woman fainted and the young man gave the guards his oranges for her to drink the juice out of. By doing this, the women gave the man three rolls of silk. As he kept going, he came across a dead horse and took the horse for he gave the man a roll of silk. He prayed to the goddess and the horse lived again. Again, Japanese people tend to be very devoted to their religion and have a lot of faith. In any case, the man then later exchanged the beautiful horse to get three rice fields and live in a house that could become his after some time. The rice fields were extremely productive and made the man become wealthy. Additionally, the man was heavily respected in the town. The young man eventually got married and had a family. The single piece of straw really did bring him "...great good fortune and happiness..." (Uchida 41).
The Piece of Straw reveals several characteristics of the Japanese culture in multiple aspects, brought about in a simple yet effective way. It is evident that religion and faith is an indispensable factor that affects a culture.
Biography of Yoshiko Uchida
Yoshiko Uchida was a Japanese American writer. She was born in Alameda, California, United States on November 24, 1921. Sadly, she died at the age of seventy on June 21, 1992. Her first book was published in 1951 even though she had been writing ever since she was ten. For three years, her family and her were in internment camps due to the attack at Pearl Harbor.
In many of her works, she included her experiences from being a Japanese American. She gave young Asians awareness of their own past. She also had an assortment of Japanese folk tales. Uchida was daughter to Japanese immigrants who influenced her with Japanese culture growing up. Uchida had received multiple awards as well, some having to do with her being Japanese American and for her literary works.
In many of her works, she included her experiences from being a Japanese American. She gave young Asians awareness of their own past. She also had an assortment of Japanese folk tales. Uchida was daughter to Japanese immigrants who influenced her with Japanese culture growing up. Uchida had received multiple awards as well, some having to do with her being Japanese American and for her literary works.