Giri-Ninjo
Chikamatsu Monzaemon was a Japanese dramatist of the puppet theatre called joruri, which later came to be known as bunraku. Chikamatsu was also a live-actor dramatist of kabuki. Chikamatsu was better known for his use of the Giri-Ninjo conflict to develop his dramas. Giri pertains to the concept of obligation an individual has to their superior, a leader of a force beyond their understanding. In contemporary theatre, as mostly applied by Chikamatsu, giri implies the divine obligation individuals have to their faith, religion, and the reverence to the deity.Chikamatsu uses this aspect in his drama to show the emotional and mental drive that human beings experience when they are part of a more extensive course. He presents that human beings have to act a certain way to not only do what is right according to the organization’s set principles and objectives but, more importantly, to render themselves of service to the leader.
In contrast, ninjoconcerns itself with human feeling or social obligation, human consciousness implies that an individual needs to act in accordance with what they believe is right, based on the principles and virtues they ascribe to. This form of drama posits that individuals should operate from a place of self-consciousness of the impact of their actions on the larger society. On the other hand, social obligation demands that an individual act with the interest of those around them at heart. Ninjo drama requires that an individual showcase a society in which every member is more concerned with how their actions affect others, and to act out of social responsibility for the rest of humanity. Ninjo requires that an individual be selfless and rid themselves of hedonistic desires. However, ninjo exists in contrast to giri, which pushes for actions driven by the desire to please the leader.
As an outstanding dramatist, Chikamatsu showcase the conflict between these two approaches in the society. While the renowned Japanese playwright does not outrightly advocate for one of the principles at the expense of the other, he presents the independent implications of each, allowing the viewer to pick the policy that best resonates with them. In his plays, Chikamatsu draws the personality of individuals drawn by giri as ones that do all they can to please their leaders and institutions they ascribe to. According to most works of Chikamatsu, most of these individuals act scrupulously to get the job done, which may include stealing to provide the materials needed of them by their leaders. In a bid to look good and save face in front of theirleaders, these individuals do not mind going to any lengths to get the job done.Chikamatsu equally paints the picture of the leaders and the institutions as being manipulative, taking advantage of the loyalty the members have.
On the other hand,Chikamatsuportrays the picture of a ninjofaithful as being driven by the need to make the world a better place, and acting consciously, wary of the effect of their actions on those around them. However, in most of his works, Chikamatsupresents individuals who blindly ascribe to a society’s way of life, living according to each set principle in a manner that does not give them room to do things their way and find out works for them and what does not. The dramatist presents this type of person as lacking their personal identity in the bid to fit in with the rest of society, doing only what they are told is right, whether or not they believe in it.