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WORDSBEYONDFEELING

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~ WHEN THE ANSWER IS TO MAKE UP THE ANSWER ~ FINDING A PURPOSE TO MYTHOLOGY ~ YOKAI BEGIN WHERE LANGUAGE ENDS ~ MEET NUPPEPPO ~ FEAR AND POWER

WORDSBY CHRISTINE PAPE

BEYONDFEELING

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Japanese culture is historically intertwined with this concept, evidenced in its own mythological stories through the characters ‘yokai’ (Yoda et al., 2013). A particular example is the yokai ‘Nuppeppo’ whose story helps to explain the relationship between fear and power (Kincaid, 2013). Although yokai and other myths are often factually fabricated from character to plot, it is this intangible nature that helps to outline valuable moral lessons applicable to modern society.

WHEN THE ANSWER IS TO MAKE UP THE ANSWER

As part of the human condition, we constantly strive to find an explanation for the life we live and the world it is in. We grow by asking questions and continually seeking to find answers. Whether it is to discover how, what and why things exist, or to find meaning in our own life and day-to-day situations, the search is infinite. Mythology embodies this inquisitorial exploration that has existed since the beginning of mankind, aimed at giving meaning to life’s unknown complexities such as moral and emotional lessons.

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There are particular stories from hundreds of years ago that have remained highly regarded, even though we are aware that they are based on entirely false beliefs or ideas (Cambridge, 2016) .

These stories are known as myths and often involve imaginary creatures and supernatural beings that do not exist. We hold onto these stories and continue to pass them on through generations. We study, teach and honour them as part of our cultural evolutionary history, as they often hold deeper moral and emotional lessons that are relatable to our current lives. It is inevitable that at various stages of our lives we will face deep adverse situations and at these times there are difficult questions and answers to make sense of. A variety of feelings and emotions will arise and for some there are no straightforward explanations. Myths can be used to help delineate the psychology and ideals of society in a way that is beyond an explanation in words. They help unveil phenomenons that can only be felt.

FINDING A PURPOSE TO MYTHOLOGY

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“Yokai begin where language ends”

An underlying emotional theme that is apparent within several yokai is the contrasting, yet highly connected relationship between fear and power (Ghosts And Ghouls, 2013). Nuppeppo is an easy yokai to resonate with based on this concept. It is essentially a gentle and harmless, walking blob of rotting flesh. Most people would choose to run away from the character due to its strong smell and startling amorphous appearance. However if the Nuppeppo is confronted and some of its flesh is eaten, it will provide the inner strength and power of eternal youth.

In Japanese culture the term ‘Yokai’ describes a series of strange, supernatural characters that have their own story and power, each depicting the concept of a feeling, emotion or sensation that is too extreme to be described in words (Foster & Kijin, 2015). Their stories portray the relationship between multiple emotions, exposing the different possible emotional outcomes that can be learnt, depending on the approach taken towards the yokai.

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MEET NUPPEPPOGain an exclusive insight into the life of what may seem on the outside to be just a faceless and directionless mythological creature. Nuppeppo’s character and story appears to lack depth and to not have a clear purpose, however this is just because not many people will ever give Nuppeppo the opportunity to be met face on.

When and where were did you grow up? People first started to talk about me in Japan many hundreds of years ago, but it’s all a bit vague. I first officially appeared on paper during the 8th century. My development has occurred through adaptations in various other texts since then. Where do you like to spend most of your free time? I like to hang out in empty deserted spaces during the twilight hours of the day. I prefer places that are gloomy and dim. The local grave yards, alleyways or empty buildings are always the best. What is it that you enjoy the most about those types of places? It gives me room to wander around aimlessly with less chance of disturbance from others. Describe your best skill When people chase me I am really good at getting away untouched.

Why do people try to chase you? Well, I have a putrid smell that most people run away from, but for those who don’t run, they instead try to chase me away from their space. Sometimes the lords of the towns will even send out warriors to chase me away. How does that make you feel? Pretty misunderstood. I don’t mean to cause harm and I actually do have good qualities within me. Most people can’t see past the fear of my appearance and smell, to realise that I hold valuable powers within my flesh. What makes you happy? I don’t have emotions. But I do prefer to be left alone and feared by others. What is your attraction to a life of lonlieness and fear? It gives me safety and power. If people have the bravery and strength to get close I may be in danger of having my flesh eaten. If people continue to avoid me, the fear they have keeps me alive.

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FEAR AND POWER

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Nuppeppo’s story demonstrates how mythology grants us an important lens to view the moral contests that are inherent in modern society. The experience of emotional trauma is inevitable, however our susceptibility to instability, or inversely our attainment of power, is dependent on the individual approach to fear. Myths such as Nuppeppo can be seen as a symbol for our own relationship with fear, and offer avenues to approach personal tribulations. The lack of clarity in our mind when facing emotional difficulties creates the dim space that allows fear to gain an overriding power and subsequently hinder our ability to progress. This symbolically parallels the space that ‘Nuppeppos’ thrive on, and are known to cause havoc in. Much like dealing with the Nuppeppo, human agency governs how we overcome times of fear and dim space. You can try to run away from confrontation or use distractions, however the fear will always remain and return during times of vulnerability. Confrontation of fear will devalue its emotional power over the mind and allow you to be eternally stronger within. Like consuming the Nuppeppo, we can harness fear for its potential to help growth and personal learning.

CONTESTING YOUR OWN YOKAI The behavioural approach that most humans choose towards this particular yokai is physically and emotionally hindering, however if percieved differently, the yokai can be one of the greatest potential tools for growth. Avoiding the yokai due to fear will only allow its power to strengthen and eventually overcome ration, logic and eternal strength within yourself. To go beyond comfort and question how dangerous it actually is to approach the Nuppeppo will open up the possibility to embrace the power of ‘eternal youth’ that the fearful creature’s flesh holds within.

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Where words are not powerful enough on their own, we imagine and construct fanciful characters and stories that grant emotional depth to our existence. This speaks volume for the importance of mythology in society. Through examples like the Nuppeppo we understand the integral place that mythology occupies in human culture. It is the ambiguity and misunderstood nature of the character that helps to strengthen the understated presence, power and concept of fear. Through allowing a capacity for individuals to self interpret the feelings it evokes, the underlying emotional message to learn from will always remain relevant and applicable to our current lives.

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Foster, M. D & Kijin, S (2015). The Book of Yokai : Mysterious Creatures of Japanese Folklore. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com

Kincaid, A. (2013). Nuppeppo–The Blobby…Monster…Thing…. Japan Powered. Retrieved from http://www.japanpowered.com/japan-culture/nuppeppo-the-blobby-monster-thing

myth. (n.d.) American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. (2011). Retrieved March 30 2016 from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/myth

myth. (n.d.) Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014. (1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014). Retrieved from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/myth

Myth Meaning in the Cambridge English Dictionary. (2016). Cambridge Dictionary. Retrieved 30 March 2016, from http://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/myth

Nuppeppo. (2013). Yokai.com. Retrieved 7 March 2016, from http://yokai.com/nuppeppou/

Tokugawa period | Japanese history. (2016). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 7 March 2016, from http://www.britannica.com/event/Tokugawa-period

Translation of Yokai in English. (2016). Translation.babylon.com. Retrieved from: http://translation.babylon.com/english/yokai/

Yoda, Hiroko; Alt, Matt; Morino, Tatsuya (2013). Yokai Attack! : The Japanese Monster Survival Guide. Retrieved from http://www.eblib.com

11 Of Japan’s Most Bizarre Supernatural Beings | Ghosts And Ghouls. (2013). Ghosts and Ghouls. Retrieved from http://ghostsnghouls.com/2013/08/07/11-of-japans-most-bizarre-supernatural-beings/

REFERENCES

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CHRISTINE PAPE 2016