The Secret History of the Lord of Musashi: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Secret History of the Lord of Musashi: Analysis of Major Characters" explores the intricate dynamics between several central figures in a historical narrative shaped by ambition, cruelty, and revenge. At the heart of the story is Terukatsu, a complex warrior whose rise to power is marked by violent acts and sadistic tendencies, particularly illustrated through his interactions with both allies and adversaries. Teru, the daughter of Lord Ida, plays a pivotal role, as her chilling demeanor and actions influence Terukatsu's dark desires. The narrative also features Lady Kiky, who seeks vengeance for her father's death at Terukatsu's hands, navigating her own tumultuous path between loyalty and retribution.
Oribensh Norishige, the reluctant heir of the Tsukuma clan, embodies the struggles of leadership against the backdrop of war and personal loss, while Lady Oetsu, Terukatsu's wife, represents the emotional toll and estrangement that can arise within such a volatile environment. The character of Dami, the court fool, serves as a tragic figure, forced to endure Terukatsu's twisted entertainment that echoes the violence of their world. Through these characters, the analysis reveals a tapestry of relationships deeply affected by historical conflicts, personal ambitions, and the psychological scars of war, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of power and morality in a tumultuous era.
The Secret History of the Lord of Musashi: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Jun'ichir Tanizaki
First published: Bushuko hiwa, 1931–1932, serial; 1935, book (English translation, 1982)
Genre: Novel
Locale: The Mount Ojika and Mount Tamon castles in Japan
Plot: Historical
Time: 1549–1559
Terukatsu, a daring, clever, and ambitious warrior, a vassal and hostage of the lords of Tsukuma, Ikkansai, and Norishige. As a boy of twelve, he experiences the siege of Ikkansai's castle, is sexually stirred and twisted by seeing the dressing of dead warriors' heads, and kills the leader of the besieging forces, taking his nose as a prize. He becomes a cruel lord who uses others to advance his career and to satisfy his masochistic and sadistic desires.
Teru, the daughter of Lord Ida of Suruga. The young girl calmly dresses the heads of dead warriors, including the “woman's head,” that of a warrior who has lost his nose. Her cruel smile sets alive Terukatsu's masochistic desire first to be a “woman's head” himself and, failing that, to create a “woman's head” by taking a warrior's nose.
Yakushiji Danj Masataka, an aristocratic general who attacks the castle of the Tsukuma clan. He is killed, and his nose is sliced off and taken away, by Terukatsu. His death ends the war against the Tsukuma clan but creates Lady Kiky's desire for revenge.
Lady Kiky, the daughter of Yakushiji Danj Masataka, who is ordered by her brother to marry the heir of the Tsukuma clan, Oribensh Norishige. She is beautiful and is intent on avenging the insult to her father. She conspires with her servants, the Matoba family, to take the noses of Ikkansai, her father-in-law, and Norishige, her husband. She fails to achieve her first goal but succeeds in the second with the aid of Terukatsu, with whom she has an affair. She becomes a devoted wife, to Terukatsu's dismay, after her husband loses his territories.
Oribensh Norishige, Ikkansai's heir as head of the Tsukuma clan. Deeply in love with his wife, Kiky, he provides weak leadership to his clansmen, especially after suffering attacks that take his ear and nose. Much happier reading and writing poetry and making love to his wife than in waging war, he loses his territory.
Lady Oetsu, Terukatsu's gentle and kindly wife, who becomes the main audience for Terukatsu's bizarre and masochistic stunts of entertainment. She is ashamed of her participation in her husband's treatment of Dami, and they become increasingly estranged.
Dami, Terukatsu's court fool, used by his master to relive the dressing of dead warriors' heads that he witnessed at Ikkansai's castle. Dami is required to pretend that he is a dead warrior's head, and Terukatsu even wants to cut his nose off to show his women a “woman's head.” Dami suffers repeatedly from Terukatsu's cruel desires for satisfaction. Dami's “Confessions” tell of the true character of Terukatsu that is ignored in the official histories.