Monday, April 7, 2008
Name Change
In Japan when a boy becomes a man, his name changes from a child name to an adult name. In the story the boy Taro becomes the man Murakami Harutomo. After that, he assumes a lot more resposibility and people begin to view him differently. Comment on these differences and how they affect him.
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2 comments:
The name change in the book is very significant to the plot. When Taro becomes Murakami Harutomo, he becomes a completely different person. As a child, he is always pushed around because he is the youngest person. While working in the stable after Togan's death, he is the lowest of the low. Even the boy who is only a couple years older than him, Jiro, bosses him around. In the text Taro explains, “He was not much older than I, and much more concerned with his own dignity. I suspected that is was not long since he had filled my place as the youngest. For his own pleasure he would order me about needlessly and delight when he saw my face grow red with anger,” (Haugaard 32). Taro can do nothing but take these orders because he knows that he is the youngest and thus commands no respect. Even the name Taro means “dog.” There is nothing he can do but wait for his chance. That chance comes when Lord Akiyama calls him into his chamber. The event takes place almost naturally. Lord Akiyama asks him what his family name was and Taro tells him. He then creates a name that is similar to his combined with Taro’s family name, Murakami Harutomo. This new name satisfies the main character and almost immediately he has a new found respect. One of the new perks he gets as being an adult is that he is picked to be the “Master of Rice” when the army goes to battle. This is a very high honor according to Lord Akiyama because without food the soldiers are not able to carry on and battle. Murakami takes this position as a joke originally because he wants to fight and be in the battle, but he soon realizes that his job is indeed important. He commands his men with bravery and he stays fair with his power. During the time he is commanding Lord Akiyama makes a plan to make the enemy surrender by making it seem as though the bulk of his troops have left, and surprising them when they leave the castle. Murakami is left with fewer than two hundred men, but he shows maturity and great leadership as he takes his men up a hill to avoid certain destruction. Mainly, this new maturity, along with the respect he gets, is the significance of his name change.
I agree whole heartedly with your comments. Taro's name change marked the beginning of a new time for him. The only thing more important than a name change is the name itself. Taro was the same name Lord Takeda Shingen had when his was younger. (Haugaard 32) Lord Akiyama did this because he cares for Taro. If he didn't he would have given him a different name. Also, the name Taro is usually given to the first born child, hinting at the fact that Lord Akiyama sees Taro as one of his own offspring. This fact is made evident when he receives not only his new name, but also when he is made "Master of Rice." His new name is one part his own family, Murakami, and a combination of the land where Lord Akiyama rules and Akiyama's personal nickname. (Haugaard 88) When he is Made master of Rice, Akiyama tells Taro, in regard to the old samurai, " 'Obey him as you would...Obey him as you would a father.' A tiny, barely perceptible smile played on Lord Akiyama's face as he spoke the last word." (Haugaard 96) To Akiyama, Taro is the son he never had. Taro is the way his name will be not forgotten. it demonstrates the love and care he as for the boy, as if he is his second father.
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