Mono no aware is the Japanese idea of the awareness of the transience of beauty and the ultimate sadness of life. After watching Early Summer can you better understand this concept? Where there scenes that evoked both feelings of joy and sadness, moments of beauty and tears? What were your emotions at the end of the film? What did you think about some of the images we discussed in class: the waves, the photograph, the child's balloon? Are there moments when you felt the sadness and the beauty of life?
This film helped me understand what exactly mono no aware is, since a big part of the movie revolves around the fact that everything has to end, but there are good things that happen because of it and that we learn to appreciate it more because it is temporary. This big theme of this film is family, and it gives a very good example of mono no aware with this particular family. They are happy and very close to one another, but it is inevitable that the family will eventually have to part ways. The film gives us many endearing moments with all of the different family members, so that when it is revealed that Noriko is going to move away suddenly, we also feel a sadness since we are so connected to the family at that point, and most likely wish that, along with the rest of the family, they will never have to separate. It communicates the feeling of mono no aware very well by manipulating the viewers’ empathy. But the reason why we can find beauty in this sad parting is because Noriko and her brother will have many other opportunities when they move away. They have their entire lives ahead of them, but the family dynamic will never be the same. Knowing this helps us to enjoy the smaller things in life that we barely ever appreciate, because they happen to us so often, since we are now aware that they will eventually end. The best analogy I can think of to compare this to is the weather. Sunny days are lovely, but eventually it will have to rain, and this is good for a few reasons. It gives plants water, and allows us to watch movies in the Great Lawn Loft without the annoying sunlight, just like how Noriko's departure allows her to explore other opportunities. And if it never rained, we wouldn’t appreciate the sun nearly as much, just like how if the family never had to part, they wouldn’t appreciate each other and the little moments.
ReplyDeleteWhat we already know is key to learning new things. I went to Jewish Day School all throughout my time in grade school. One story we were constantly told about was the story of King Solomon. Solomon wanted to have a piece of jewelry that made him feel both happy and sad at the same time. He tasked the wisest men of his kingdom to create this piece. In the end, they presented him with a golden ring with the following line inscribed into it:
ReplyDeleteגַּם זֶה יַעֲבֹר
This translates roughly to “this too shall pass.” This adage is what enabled me to truly understand the meaning of Mono No Aware when watching the film. The film is filled with scenes that elicit a multitude of emotions. One example is the scene where we discover that Noriko is moving away. But in the end, the idea of Mono No Aware reminds us that whatever is happening in our lives now, is temporary and will not last forever. The waves at the beginning and end of the film directly represent that idea. The waves are always going in and out representing the continuous nature of life and the change that comes with time. Nothing is final, and this film urges us to be in the moment, admire the beauty, and live.
Watching Early Summer, helped me to gain a better understanding of mono no aware and how the impermanence of beauty refers not only to nature, but also in family atmospheres. The concept of mono no aware is present throughout the movie regarding the parting of ways of the Mamiya family. The mother and father naively assume that their family would always remain together, based on events in the life the previous seventeen years. The parents, (especially the mother) take for granted the true beauty that a united family brings. By the end of the movie, we could see only the mother and father together, contemplating when their family will reunite again. One specific scene that represents the impermanence of beauty is when the family took a group photograph before officially splitting up. The fact that the family was taking a photograph together shows that they wanted to preserve that moment in time—capturing on film the joy of a complete family. The scene was quite bittersweet because although everyone was smiling and laughing—while still trying to keep their composure for the photo— everyone knew that they family was going to separate soon. Even though a photograph is a way to preserve a moment in time, it is not the same as living that moment in the present. In the same way cut or dried flowers are never as beautiful as uncut flowers growing in a field or in the wild. I think that a photograph serves as a memento of a specific lived moment, however it also serves as a reminder that nothing can truly capture the essence of a specific moment in time, so we should always enjoy life in the present moment.
ReplyDeleteWatching Early Summer directed by Yasujirō Ozu, helped me understand the meaning of Mono no aware because it included a variety of scenes that encompassed feelings of the great joy and sadness that life has to offer. The main character, Noriko, has a rollercoaster full of emotions during the movie that not only surround her but also the other members of her household. For example, a moment of great joy for Noriko is when the mother of her soon-to-be husband questions whether she would take his hand in marriage. Even though there is an age gap and child between Noriko and the potential husband, she is over joyed by the question and eagerly accepts without consulting any of her close relatives. While Noriko is extremely happy, her family is experiencing the opposite emotions because they were not included in the decision and because Noriko will be leaving the household. A very moving scene that exemplifies Noriko’s parent’s emotions is when they are sitting along discussing whether she made the right decision to get married after she has already left. Noriko’s parents want the best for their child, but at the same time, it is challenging for them to see their child leave the nest. This example fits the concept of Mono no aware because it demonstrates both the joys and sadness of life. Thus, experiencing the assortment of emotions, I understand how the concept of Mono no aware includes not just the beauty of life but also sadness. Furthermore, Early Summer demonstrates each characters experience with these different kinds of emotions.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, Early Summer, in its entirety, embodies the feeling of Mono No Aware. The final 20 minutes stick out to me as the perfect intertwining of story beats and cinematography to represent the attitude of appreciation and mindfulness emphasized in the concept. While the parents are talking and actively dealing with incoming feelings of apprehension or regret, we can see the uncle in the background, sitting still and watching nature. Although his character can seem unaware, the uncle is closest out of the entire family to both joy and a sense of oneness with the natural world. This single section of the film helped to reinforce my understanding of the importance of aging to Mono No Aware and mindfulness. The differences of approach between the uncle and the mother and father show both sides of aging in Mono No Aware: fearful aging (mother and father) and peaceful aging (uncle). The main other place where I have been able to explore this type of mindfulness is while reading French existentialism. Albert Camus’ prospects of accepting finality and coming to terms with the natural cycle through an existential lens pairs extremely well with Mono No Aware’s focus on appreciating what is happening now and what we have been afforded with, rather than wasting time wanting more.
ReplyDeleteOzu's use of long and mostly unedited takes in Early Summer helped me to understand the concept of Mono no Aware. Although Mono no Aware is representative of a few philosophies, it mainly centers around appreciating the beauty behind life. Although many consider "watching a film" to be an escape from life, Ozu approaches the "film viewing experience" differently. Ozu recognizes that an "escape from life" is really just a way for many people to pause from their normal activities and watch something that will help them to appreciate the beauty of life. Watching a movie isn't an escape from life- it is just a different way to enjoy life.
ReplyDeleteInstead of relying upon an action centered plot to help his viewers enjoy the film viewing experience, Ozu instead relies upon long takes and carefully constructed settings to allow his viewers to fully appreciate the "life" inside of his film. In a typical Hollywood film, takes are usually 5-7 seconds long which allows the film to keep up with a fast moving or complicated plot. Ozu's simplistic plot allows him to divert more attention to the actual film, giving him the space to include takes that are sometimes over 30 seconds long. These longer takes allow the viewer to fully appreciate the setting and scene before it inevitably disappears. For example, during one of the longer takes there is a moment after a brief phone conversation where there is nothing in the frame but the setting (the hallway inside of the home). When the film finally switches to a new setting, the viewer has an extra appreciation for the previous setting, as they had the opportunity to observe it in detail and create an emotional attachment to it that is otherwise impossible in a fast paced film environment. The settings in Ozu's films are also carefully constructed and well thought out, allowing the viewer to fully appreciate the "life" behind every scene. Although there is not a lot of camera movement during most scenes, each setting is meticulously crafted and well organized. For example, during the final family photo at the end of the film, the camera (and most of the objects and people) in the scene stay completely still. This meticulously crafted environment paired with a still camera encourages the viewer to carefully observe, reflect upon, and enjoy the scene before it goes away. Ultimately, Ozu uses long scenes and meticulously crafted out environments to give viewers a chance to "breathe", appreciate the beauty of the scene in front of them, and experience Mono no Aware while they are watching Early Summer.
ReplyDeleteThe Film Early Summer is a true embodiment of mono no aware. Through the film, I was able to fully grasp the concept and meaning of the Japanese idea. Both the plot and film techniques played a part in my understanding; particularly the length of scenes, symbolism and the family dynamic. In the beginning of the film, the family is living happily alongside one another. Yasujirō Ozu soon reminds the audience of the ever changing and passing of time we all undergo. Comfortable and set into a routine, Noriko disturbs this with her plans to marry and move away, a reminder that nothing lasts forever. The long scenes aided me in seeing the beauty of the family, making it bittersweet to see them part ways. Through the fifteen+ second scenes I was reminded that both the happy parts of the film and the sad parts are equally beautiful. This is ultimately the essence of mono no aware, being able to see the beauty of change. In class we learned that as one gets older and forms attachments they become distant from the present, thus being less adaptable to change. I saw this concept within Noriko’s parents. They do not want her to move away, and at first could only see the negatives. As Noriko proves to be firm on her decision her parents become more accepting, and soon realize they cannot fight the inevitable. Instead of nagging Noriko about her decision, the family chooses to capture the beautifully sad moment. The Picture captured a moment in time, soon to be gone. The concept of a picture is what we essentially all try to do, stay in that moment. The film served as a reminder that all though we can try, nothing can stop time and to appreciate the beauty of the present.