This study examines the transformation of villains in classical Japanese literature, with a particular focus on Edo-period Kabuki. While villains in ancient myths and war tales were typically portrayed as figures threatening political order or moral norms, those depicted in early modern literature increasingly embodied personal desires and everyday forms of transgression. This shift reflects broader social changes brought about by the growth of urban commoner culture. The study first analyzes the development and specialization of villain roles in Kabuki, known collectively as katakiyaku. It then focuses on Tōkaidō Yotsuya Kaidan by Tsuruya Nanboku, a representative work of late Edo popular drama. Through an in-depth analysis of Tamiya Iemon, the paper demonstrates how the villain evolves from a grand-scale rebel into a figure driven by ambition, sexual desire, and self-interest—characteristics typical of the iroaku (seductive villain). Furthermore, by examining the numerous minor villains appearing throughout the play, the study reveals how “evil” permeates the entire narrative world rather than being confined to a single antagonist. The paper concludes that this transformation of villains mirrors a shift in popular consciousness from heroic and political narratives to stories centered on everyday life and human weakness. By positioning villains as complex representations of social anxiety and desire, this study highlights their function as key narrative devices that reflect the cultural and social realities of Edo-period Japan. The findings contribute to a broader understanding of classical Japanese literature from a socio-cultural perspective.
한국일본언어문화학회 [Japanese Language & Culture Association of Korea]
설립연도
2001
분야
인문학>일본어와문학
소개
본 학회는 일본어학 및 일본문학은 물론, 일본의 정치, 경제, 문화, 사회 등의 일본학 전반에 걸친 연구 및 일본의 언어, 문화를 매체로 한 한국과의 비교 연구를 대상으로 하고 있다. 본 학회는 회원들에게 연구 발표 및 정보 교환의 기회를 부여하고 나아가 한국에서의 바람직한 일본 연구 자세를 확립하는 것을 주된 목표로 하고 있다.