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Fushigi Yuugi
Miscellaneous:
Nakago as Fushigi Yuugi's Driving Force
This essay was posted with
the permission of my good friend (the author),
Stephen Congly. Many thanks go to him for allowing me
to post his wonderful essay! Any questions or comments can be
directed to Stephen. You can also check out his
homepage for other great stuff!
Stephen-kun gave this essay to my friend
Melissa-chan for a Christmas present; I had to secure permission
from both of them to post this essay upon this website. Because of
its nature as a gift, this may not be posted elsewhere without the
permission of ALL myself, Stephen, and Melissa-chan. Thank you!
* * * * *
For Melissa-dono
Stephen Congly
The two most important
factors of a work of fiction are characters and plot. Fushigi
Yuugi finds success on both points with complex characters (that
are often analyzed by fans via derivative works) and a flowing
episodic plot. Miaka and her Suzaku Seishi,[1]
and Yui and her Seiryuu Seishi all go through many events that
seem to occur by fate. But is this really the case? Is fate really
all-powerful or is there a more human connection?
Fate has been a significant
theme in literature from the Greek tragedies to modern day works.
As such, the significance of fate should be noted. In Fushigi
Yuugi, fate plays a role in the delineation of the plot, but is
not the key factor. Instead, many of the events occur as the
result of Nakago's actions. This paper will attempt to illustrate
that Nakago is the driving force of Fushigi Yuugi by a number of
techniques. These will include a very brief study of Watase's use
of the concept of fate, examining Nakago's role in the major plot
events and examining the effects of these major plot events.
The idea of fate is
represented through the object of the "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho" (Book
of the Four Gods), as it is this object that is directly linked to
instances where fate prevails. For the most part, fate appears to
be indeterminate; however, it would be erroneous to claim that
fate is a non-factor. In the world of Fushigi Yuugi, fate is
partially fixed although the free will of the characters involved
appears to control the events that occur. Thus, the role of fate
in Fushigi Yuugi is in direct contrast to such works as Oedipus
Rex by Sophocles and X by CLAMP. The only point of similarity
between Fushigi Yuugi and the two works mentioned above is that in
all of the works, a character is born to a particular fate. In
Fushigi Yuugi, this takes the form of the various Seishi being
born Seishi.
In Fushigi Yuugi, there are
only two sets of events in which it can be reasonably argued that
fate is a major factor. Firstly, there is the initial drawing of
the Miko into the "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho". Both in the action
preceding and in the present situation, all four of the Miko are
led to the book and are then drawn into the story. There is a lack
of free will on the parts of the characters involved, as they did
not initially choose to enter the alternate world. Instead, they
were drawn into it by another power; it seems as if the characters
are fated to come across the book and play a role in the story. It
should be noted here that it is of yet unclear whether the four
girls who serve as Miko are specifically targeted or whether they
just happened to be convenient.
The second event that seems
mostly influenced by fate is Yui's later return to the book world
and the band of street toughs' attack on her. Like the first
event, there seems to be little evidence of characters influencing
the events. Both sets of events can be classified as "deus ex
machina", or by the manipulating of the gods (rather Watase in
this case). Every other event that takes place in Fushigi Yuugi
seems to follow previous events in a logical fashion and occur as
a result of the actions of the characters.
In spite of the apparent
importance of fate, Nakago's influence can be linked to the two
events above, the first one much more than the second one. The
emergence of the Miko and the Seishi are linked to a 100-year
cycle. However, for Fushigi Yuugi, this is not the case; both the
Suzaku and Seiryuu Miko appear at the same time, which contravenes
the cycle. It seems likely that the cycle was perhaps interfered
with by the threat of eminent war between Konan and Kutou. Nakago
directly influences the existence of looming war in his role as
the Kutou generalissimo, or leader of the Kutou army. It is
unclear, however, whether the cycle is affected as there is no
direct evidence; the only evidence available is indirect. Hence, a
definitive statement cannot and should not be made.
Nakago may also be
indirectly connected to Yui's situation. It is difficult to
reasonably argue that Nakago is directly connected to Yui's return
to the "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho"; one would have to use an argument
similar to the one above. However, Nakago does rescue Yui from the
street toughs who are attempting to sexually assault her. It
should be conceded that it is very easy to argue that fate placed
Nakago in the right place at the right time; there is no evidence
to disprove this theory. However, Nakago chooses to help Yui. It
is probable that Nakago recognized Yui as being foreign and
possibly made the connection that she could be a miko. After all,
Nakago is quite calculating and intelligent.
One of the largest conflicts
in the story is the growing schism between Yui and Miaka. This
split, between the two, helps fuel the conflict between the Suzaku
and Seiryuu sides; both want to beat the other leading to tragic
results as discussed in "Tragedy in Fushigi Yuugi."[2]
Thoughts of being abandoned by Miaka are put into Yui's mind by
Nakago which helps to widen the gulf between the two girls.
Nakago's influence on Yui is very effective although it is Yui who
makes the final call in the end. This split is very much furthered
and encouraged by Nakago since without the conflict between the
two girls, it seems dubious whether Yui would help the Seiryuu
side; Yui, in the action preceding, is very close to Miaka. Yui's
new found hatred for Miaka causes Yui to become "Seiryuu No Miko"
and also leads to internal conflict within Yui.
One of the significant
moments, story wise, in Fushigi Yuugi occurs with the failed
Suzaku summoning. As a result of Amiboshi portraying Chiriko,
Miaka is unable to call forth Suzaku. In the process, the Konan
copy of the "Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho" is destroyed. Nakago is directly
involved in this incident; Amiboshi interferes with the summoning
under Nakago's orders. The major effect of this event is that
Kutou gains the upper hand; Kutou can still summon their god
unlike Konan. This makes up for the apparent lack of success of
finding seishi by the Seiryuu side.
The next significant event
that Nakago influences is the systematic murder of Tamahome's
family. Suboshi, under Nakago's order commits the crime. The
motive behind this action seems to be an attempt to phase Miaka's
de facto guardian Tamahome before the quest for the Shinzaho
begins. It works quite well; Tamahome shows great anger towards
Miaka for the first time in the story. Also as a side effect of
the murders, Tamahome's chi level increases a level. Finally, and
more interestingly, this attack also raises the stakes of the
game; reconciliation between the two sides is now utterly
impossible.
The entire existence of the
"race for the Shinzaho" is due to Nakago. Seeing that he is losing
the "quest for the Seishi," in spite of the repeated Seiryuu
hindrances that he makes Miaka et al. face, Nakago sabotages the
Suzaku effort and in effect restarts the game with both sides
being equal. During this race for the Shinzaho, Nakago greatly
affects the lives of the Suzaku Seishi. Essentially every event
that the Suzaku group faces is a result of Nakago's actions or
those beneath him. Interestingly enough, Nakago does not really
ever take the lead in this race except for at the finish; however,
it is the first person to cross the finish line who wins.
Nuriko's death is the first
major incident that occurs in the race for the Shinzaho. In order
to try and find the first Shinzaho, the Seiryuu side monitors
where Miaka et al. are looking and follow them to the location.
During this period, Ashitare confronts Nuriko and is driven back.
Later on, Ashitare gets his revenge by killing Nuriko. As Nakago
directly controls Ashitare, it follows that Nakago is indirectly
responsible for this event. The effects are significant. Firstly,
it allows for Hotohori to marry Houki[3]
(by removing any possible hindrances in Hotohori's mind) which
provides Konan a successor and restores stability to the country.
As well, the Suzaku Seishi all become closer to each other; this
is analyzed further elsewhere.[4]
The deaths of the seishi,
from both the Suzaku and Seiryuu sides, are obviously connected to
Nakago. Under his orders, Ashitare, Tomo and Miboshi die in the
quest for the Shinzaho proper. During the fighting, Chiriko also
dies in order to save Miaka and the Suzaku Seishi guarding her.
These deaths are quite significant in the plot delineation, as
death is one of the most significant events that can possibly
happen. In addition, the deaths indirectly show the horror of
fighting and also, show the devotion of the Seishi to their
cause.[5]
During the search for the
second Shinzaho, Miaka is nearly sexually assaulted twice. The
first time, Nakago himself is the aggressor while the second time
involves Tomo disguised as Tamahome (in the shin illusion). The
reasons behind these assaults seem fairly clear. Firstly, if Miaka
is no longer virginal, she cannot summon Suzaku and it's a
foregone conclusion as to who wins. Secondly, these actions would
definitely infuriate Tamahome; Nakago seems to take pleasure in
goading Tamahome. Miaka's reaction to these incidents is isolating
herself from Tamahome. This reaction also benefits the Seiryuu
side since splits among the Suzaku members weaken the side as a
whole.
The events set in motion by
Nakago are such that war is the only option. There will be a
winner and loser; ties are impossible. The keystone event is the
summoning of Seiryuu, which itself is the result of the Seiryuu
side exploiting the work of the Suzaku Seishi in finding the
second Shinzaho. With Yui's first wish, she seals Suzaku. War is
eminent due to Nakago's desire to win and his ethos which is
Machiavellian; the ends justify the means. Nakago's philosophy is
to kill the enemy when they are down; hence war. Another very
significant reason behind the outbreak of war is Nakago's desire
for revenge on the Kutou emperor that drives the plot of Fushigi
Yuugi. This fact is revealed at the end of the war.
With her second wish, Yui
effectively opens up the passage between the real world and the
"Shi Jin Ten Chi Sho". As a result of this, Tamahome is sent into
the real world, which further complicates the situation, as the
real world becomes a part of the story. It is in the real world
that Suboshi and Tamahome fight; this fight is due to Nakago's
earlier order for Suboshi to kill Tamahome's family. Suboshi's
death results again traceable to Nakago.
In the tail end of the
Konan/Kutou war, demonstrated earlier to be attributable to Nakago,
several more seishi die. Soi and Mitsukake's deaths are indirectly
attributable to Nakago because they die while fighting the war of
Nakago's manufacture. Hotohori's death though is directly due to
Nakago as it is Nakago who runs Hotohori through with his sword.
Again, these deaths show the brutality of war.
The final confrontation in
the real world is again due to Nakago. Nakago enters the real
world, in order to get Yui's final wish, so he can find a place of
his own. A massive fight ensues and Nakago winds up with
Tamahome's fist in his chest; Nakago's death is Nakago's own fault
as well.
In conclusion, it is clear
that Nakago can be directly or indirectly connected to the events
in Fushigi Yuugi. It is his manipulating that drives the plot and
all of the seishi are merely players in his plans. Nakago's role
as the manipulator, perhaps classifiable as the Jungian archetype
of the Trickster, might explain the title. Fushigi Yuugi, can be
translated as "mysterious game"; everything that occurs, the
deaths and bloodshed are all part of Nakago's game of calculated
revenge.[6]
* * * * *
[1] This contraction of
shichiseishi will be used throughout.
[2] Congly, S.E. (2000). "Tragedy in Fushigi Yuugi."
<http://congly.freeservers.com/anime/fy/tragedyfy.htm>
[3] Further discussion may be found in "Love in
Fushigi Yuugi". <http://congly.freeservers.com/anime/fy/tragedyfy.htm>
[4] "Tragedy FY"
[5] This is seen stronger in the Suzaku side.
Detailed analysis is found in "Tragedy FY"
[6] Wandering Mage Chichiri. "Re: [FYML] Question
on the gods...". E-mail to fyml@fushigiyuugi.com. 22 June 2000.
* * * * *
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Stephen Congly, Sharla-chan, and Melissa-chan. |
