Global Issues In Kitchen By Banana Yoshimoto
Kitchen, a novel by Banana Yoshimoto, is a story that revolves around Mikage Sakurai, a young woman who has gone through the loss of her parents and who struggles to find her place in a world that has left her feeling alone and disconnected. The novel deals with themes such as love, loss, identity, and the search for a sense of belonging. While these themes may seem universal, Yoshimoto's work is unique in its approach, as it explores these issues through a distinctly Japanese lens.
The Concept of Family
In Kitchen, the concept of family plays a central role. Mikage is left feeling alone in the world after the death of her grandmother. She finds solace in the Tanabe family, who take her in and provide her with a sense of belonging. Similarly, Eriko, one of the other main characters in the novel, is a transgender woman who has created her own unconventional family. The idea of family is redefined and expanded upon in Kitchen, showing that blood ties are not the only thing that can define a family.
The Isolation of Modern Life
The novel also deals with the isolation that many people feel in modern life. Mikage is a character who feels displaced and disconnected from the world around her. Her apartment, which she describes as "the only place where I felt at home," becomes a symbol of her isolation. This feeling of displacement is heightened by the fact that Mikage's parents died when she was young, leaving her without a stable family structure.
The Exploration of Gender Identity
One of the most unique aspects of Kitchen is its exploration of gender identity. Eriko, a transgender woman, is a major character in the novel. Her journey towards self-acceptance is a major theme in the story. Eriko's story shows that gender identity is not always black and white, and that it can take time to fully understand and accept oneself.
The Intersection of Tradition and Modernity
Finally, Kitchen deals with the intersection of tradition and modernity. The novel is set in modern-day Japan, but it is also steeped in tradition. Mikage finds comfort in the traditional rituals of cooking, which she learned from her grandmother. Similarly, Eriko's transgender identity challenges traditional gender roles and expectations. The novel is a commentary on how tradition and modernity can coexist and influence each other.
Conclusion
Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto is a unique novel that explores universal themes through a distinctly Japanese lens. The novel deals with issues such as family, isolation, gender identity, and tradition versus modernity. The novel's characters are compelling and relatable, and the story is told in a way that is both poetic and powerful. Kitchen is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of the human experience.
