Spirit Possession in the Tale of Genji

ASH 3930
The Japanese international classic, The Tale of Genji, is highly esteemed because it is an authentic narrative of Heian imperial court life. The novel also contains highly dramatic scenes of spirit possession. It is a book of, pain, love, and spirituality.
Historians’ continuously researching ancient civilizations with polygynous societies, have shown that it was very common for a female to suffer from spirit possession. Some believe that these women were showing extreme courage rather than being disgraced by the male species. It is supposed that the possessed women knowingly became absorbed in a trance in order to manipulate their authoritarians into giving them their full consideration and reverence. This in turn changed traditional gender roles, and contradicted the usual code of character so that women could briefly have jurisdiction over their men. Japan’s present society still recognizes these possessions today. You should also conclude that in a classical civilization, vices such as spirit possession were repeatedly used as a way to articulate any extreme issues amongst men. Specifically, in the culture of the Genji, spirit possession was the only way women could confidently express their true feelings regardless of the adversity they faced as a result of femininity.
Unfortunately, women are expected to be gentle wives. “It is very foolish for a woman to let a little dalliance upset her so much that she shows her resentment openly. He has his adventures--but if he has fond memories of their early days together, his and hers, she may be sure that she matters. A commotion means the end of everything. She should be quiet and generous, and when something comes up that quite properly arouses her resentment she should make it known by delicate hints.” Women were not supposed to object to any man; this is why they resorted to such an extreme measure of communication. Contrary to popular belief, the spirits in the story were in fact real. In Japan, being a woman was considered shameful. While their possessions were absent of the inequitable truth, the young women’s accounts were indeed genuine.
The Shinto ritual was a Heian religious superstitious practice. Although the Shinto impact is mentioned, the main religion in the novel is Buddhism. Buddhist rituals were used in possessions and the courts. Once a woman was deemed possessed, the only way to rid herself of the demonic spirit was to have an exorcism. These women were forced into this extreme act of desperation by men, while some think that in reality, the women were only experiencing typical female emotions. Inadvertently, the spirit possessions in the Tale of Genji were very real. "it is too common a practice, to say nothing of the good done by people, but to exaggerate the bad; and so, in such cases, if it should be rumored that mine was that living spirit which tormented, Lady Aoi, how trying it would be to me!” During the Heian period, the people believed very much so in the supernatural. When a woman was completely consumed in fear or bashfulness, she ultimately became possessed. Most of the possessions in the tale came after the women discovered their men’s mistresses. This is why most anthropologist believe that the women were most likely experiencing a form of rage.
In conclusion, spirit possession was a common scapegoat that women, in most if not all, polygynous societies used as an excuse to express their important concerns among men. This seemed to be the only way a woman could effectively communicate powerfully. During the Heian period their beliefs were spiritually based. For women, these possessions were detrimental to giving wisdom and gaining control in their ancient societies.