Humor with a Girl's Gaze: Keiko Ochiai's "Play" and Literary Theory, ca. 1976

Humor with a Girl's Gaze: Keiko Ochiai's "Play" and Literary Theory, ca. 1976

In the mid-1970s, Japanese society had moved from the frenzy of rapid economic growth to a period of stagnation and introspection in the aftermath of the oil shocks. At the same time that consumer society was maturing, there was a growing demand in the world of literature and art for light, individualistic expression that would resist the "heavy-handedness" of the mainstream. Keiko Ochiai's humorous novels and philosophy of "play," which were written in the midst of such an atmosphere, are a mirror that lightly reflects the spirit of the times.

In the interview, Ochiai neither denies nor condescends to the fact that her works have been described as "girlish. In literature, "girlish sensibility" means delicacy, non-violence, and a point of view that does not overlook the small gaps in everyday life, which is not childishness but a way of seeing the world from a different angle. Ochiai says that literature should be "playful. It is not irresponsible play, but play as a wisdom to "escape" from the weight of everyday life while accepting it.

She also cites Chaplin and Buster Keaton as ideal humorists, and says that true humor resides in the "silent laughter" of silent films. Her expression, which is both sad and funny, does not rely on words, but rather on facial expressions and movements to bring human contradictions into relief. This is a sensibility that is also reflected in her own style of writing, and her deep understanding of human beings is evident in the depths of her laughter.

The year was 1976, and the ideas of second-wave feminism were beginning to permeate Japan. While Keiko Ochiai picked up the voices of young people as a radio personality, as a writer she confronted themes such as gender, family, and violence head-on. When her writing style is described as "light," Ochiai implicitly suggests that "lightness" is another name for freedom of expression and an escape route from oppression.

There is also a record of Keiko Ochiai's activities during this period on the Web. The radio program she appeared on, "Sei! Young" is legendary for its ability to capture the concerns and words of the youth of the time, and at the same time, it is also a source of inspiration for Keiko Ochiai's views on literature. In her novels such as "Embracing Myself," she pursued "literature of gentleness" through the eyes of a young girl, which is closely related to what she discusses in this interview.

In other words, Keiko Ochiai's "humor" and "play" were forms of strength given to the vulnerable of the times. While borrowing the forms of laughter and lightness, it was also a sharp critique of the contradictions and heaviness of society, and at the same time, a way of life.