著者

西浦 太郎

出版者

京都大学大学院教育学研究科

雑誌

京都大学大学院教育学研究科紀要 (ISSN:13452142)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.57, pp.167-180, 2011-04-25

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In this paper, the figure of "Katago" that appears in the tales of old Japan will be analyzed and the issue of the Japanese returnee students and the present Japanese culture will be discussed. Katago is a 10 year old boy born between a father who is an oni (Japanese ogre) and mother (Japanese) who was taken away by Oni to his country. Katago dedicates himself to bring his mother back to Japan and they finally succeed in returning to Japan. However, he finally commits suicide because of having difficulties living with Japanese people. According to Kawai(Kawai,1994), most of the stories where Katago suffers from his/her duality, being a ogre and a human at the same time, ends with his death. Kawai analyzes the "Katago" from a cultural and psychological perspective and he concludes although Katago's death is almost inevitable, it is the task of Japanese culture not letting the Katago die, as he entails indispensable elements to regenerate the Japanese culture. However, the following two points have not been sufficiently examined; The first point is "why" the Katago has trouble living in Japan. And the second point is what actually happens in the psyche of Katago that leads to his death. The third point is, what kind of possibilities exists that enable Katago to live. Hence, the three points have been examined and discussed on the basis of some case studies children raised up by two different cultures and societies.