Fireflies, also known as “hotaru”, have a significant cultural significance in Japan, symbolizing passionate love, returning spirits, and the delicate balance between life and death. They are often seen as the souls of fallen warriors in Japanese folklore, guiding loved ones to the afterlife.
In Japan, over 45 types of fireflies exist, with 14 having magical glowing bottoms. The most common types are the Heike firefly and the Genji firefly, which are larger and have a brighter glow. These fireflies are associated with the impermanence of life, love, and the evanescence of youth. In Japanese folklore, they are believed to be the spirits of the dead, guiding loved ones to the afterlife.
In Japanese culture, fireflies have symbolic and spiritual value, with their brilliance symbolizing enlightenment and being frequently connected to the fleeting quality of life. The glittering light of the hotaru is so enchanting that the Japanese hold firefly festivals or hotaru matsuri to watch their dance. Fireflies appear mainly in warm temperatures, signifying the change in seasons and are seen as a symbol of summer in Japan.
The combination of light and insect in the name “firefly” suggests that fireflies and Japanese rhinoceros beetles are perceived by the general public as indicators or symbols of summer. In Japanese poetry since ancient times, fireflies served as symbols of feverish love.
In conclusion, fireflies hold significant cultural and spiritual significance in Japan, representing love, passion, seasonal change, and the delicate balance between life and death.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| Why the Firefly (Hotaru) Is Important in Japan? | In Japan, where they are called “hotaru,” they are beloved – a metaphor for passionate love in poetry since Man’you-shu (the 8th century anthology). | thoughtco.com |
| Japan’s unique relationship with Fireflies | In Japanese culture, fireflies have symbolic and spiritual value. Their brilliance symbolizes enlightenment, and they are frequently connected … | linkedin.com |
| The Light of the Firefly: What is its Role in Japanese Culture? | “Their eerie lights are also thought to be the altered form of the souls of soldiers who have died in war,” wrote Abe. I believe that this … | sugoiinu.wordpress.com |
📹 What did the fireflies actually represent? Grave of the Fireflies #shorts
Did you know that this anime is actually based on a true story? Grave of the Fireflies takes place in Japan near the end of World …
What Is Japan'S Sacred Symbol?
Japan's primary religions, Buddhism and Shintoism, both hold cherry blossoms (sakura) in high esteem. In Shinto, which is Japan's indigenous faith, cherry blossoms are believed to harbor kami, or sacred spirits. Shinto emphasizes nature and spirituality, utilizing symbols and rituals, such as the torii gate, which signifies the entrance to sacred areas. The term "Shintō," meaning "the way of kami," distinguishes indigenous beliefs from Buddhism.
One key Shinto symbol is the Yata no Kagami, an imperial mirror representing purity and truth. The Inari fox, associated with the Shinto rice and harvest deity Inari, further exemplifies this faith's connection to nature. The torii gate, literally translating to "bird abode," is a prominent symbol that marks shrine entry. Other symbols include the tsuru (crane), a representation of happiness and longevity, and sacred Mount Fuji, a well-known icon of Japan. Additional Shinto symbols, such as tomoe, shimenawa, and shide, reflect the relationship between the earth, sky, and humanity within this spiritual framework.
What Do Fireflies Indicate?
Fireflies likely evolved their luminescence initially as a defense mechanism against predators, but predominantly now they use it to attract mates. Notably, not all fireflies emit light; some rely on pheromones during daylight. Fireflies hold deep spiritual significance, symbolizing illumination and inner light. Their enchanting glow represents personal enlightenment and reminds us of the importance of simple, small things in life. They embody hope, love, vitality, luck, and even death, acting as a guide through life's challenges with their gentle illumination.
The synchronized flashing of fireflies encourages harmony with nature’s rhythms. Cultural beliefs, such as those in Native American folklore, view fireflies as spiritual messengers, illuminating paths for people and indicating connections to the divine or messages from loved ones. Fireflies serve as symbols of resilience, light amidst darkness, and self-awareness. Their ephemeral glow prompts appreciation for life’s moments and reminds us to slow down.
In Japan, these insects are associated with themes of love, passion, seasonal transitions, and remembrance of the departed. Fireflies, which are beetles of the Lampyridae family, undergo complete metamorphosis and communicate through unique flashing patterns during mating rituals. The male fireflies flash in flight while females do so from a stationary position. Their ability to illuminate the night not only signifies attraction but also serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating that, even in dark times, brightness and guidance prevail. Thus, fireflies symbolize positivity, transformation, and the essential beauty of life’s smaller moments.
What Does The Thunder Symbolize In Japan?
Raijin (雷神), also known by names such as Kaminari-sama (雷様) and Raiden-sama (雷電様), is a prominent deity in Japanese mythology and Shinto religion, symbolizing lightning, thunder, and storms. His identity is intertwined with the ancient belief that he strikes a drum to generate thunder and lightning, as detailed in the Kojiki. The term "Raijin" is derived from "kaminari" (雷), meaning "thunder," and "kami" (神), signifying "god." Represented as a formidable figure with a muscular physique, bulging eyes, and large fangs, Raijin embodies the fears associated with storms, often instructing children to cover their bellies during thunderstorms. He possesses three fingers on each hand, symbolizing the connection between the past, present, and future.
Raijin's drumming evokes the terrifying sounds of storms and earthquakes, and he is connected with other deities like Takemikazuchi and Futsunushi, who govern thunder and lightning. In folklore, he is depicted as a fierce demon, underscoring his status as a powerful kami overseeing all storm-related phenomena. The raijū (雷獣), a mythical creature composed of lightning, is also associated with Raijin, reinforcing his domain over storms. Together with Fujin (風神), the wind god, Raijin represents contrasting yet complementary forces in nature.
While embodying chaos and turbulence, Raijin is also credited with bringing essential rains for agriculture, highlighting his dualistic nature. His portrayal extends to embodying both vitality and destruction within the rich tapestry of Japanese cultural and religious beliefs.
What Is Japan'S Sacred Animal?
In Japan, animals are deeply revered in both Shinto and Buddhist traditions, serving as sacred messengers and manifestations of divine qualities. The deer, particularly significant in Shinto belief, roam freely in Nara, Japan's first capital, symbolizing the connection between the spiritual and natural worlds. Similarly, cranes evoke notions of longevity and loyalty, often portrayed in art and currency like the 1000 yen banknotes. Japanese animal symbolism is vast, encompassing numerous creatures, all holding significant meanings and representing deities or kami.
Deities such as Takemikazuchi, the god of thunder, further enrich the symbolism of animals, as legends tell of him descending on a deer. Other notable sacred animals include the fox (Kitsune), the raccoon dog (Tanuki), the koi fish, and the sacred cow, each represented through various symbols reflective of their spiritual importance.
Mythological narratives and ancient texts reveal the intricate histories of these creatures, indicating a profound cultural reverence that shapes daily life and belief systems in Japan. Not only do these animals occupy significant roles in mythology, they also serve as protectors, guardians, and symbols of peace. The legacy of these sacred beings continues to thrive, illustrating the symbiotic relationship between nature and spirituality in Japanese culture. Understanding these symbolic representations provides insight into Japan's rich cultural heritage and the values cherished by its people.
What Do Insects Symbolize In Japan?
In Japanese culture, insects are deeply significant, representing rebirth and the cyclical nature of life, as echoed in Taoism and Buddhism. Many insects are depicted in Japanese art due to their unique shapes and colors. Particularly noteworthy are the "singing insects," which the Japanese find soothing, contrasting with Western perceptions that often view these sounds as mere noise. In Shintoism, certain animals, including foxes viewed as divine messengers, enrich the cultural landscape, leading to the presence of fox statues at Shinto shrines like Fushimi Inari in Kyoto.
Furthermore, butterflies symbolize the transition of spirits to eternal life and represent femininity, while the rhinoceros beetle is emblematic of traditional Japanese affinity for insects. Key insects during summer—cicadas, fireflies, and dragonflies—are symbolically rich, embodying qualities like strength and adaptability integral to Japanese values. Fireflies, in particular, hold special cultural significance, appearing in various artistic forms, from haiku to novels.
Ultimately, insects occupy an aesthetic and symbolic position in Japanese culture, acting as allegorical figures and contributing to social, political, and military narratives. The joy surrounding the "music-making" insects infuses modern life, with cicadas heralding the arrival of summer in media representations. While the concept of "mushi" encompasses a broader category than insects alone, the enduring cultural appreciation for insects continues to shape Japanese identity, underscoring their vital role in both historical and contemporary contexts. Thus, insects in Japan are cherished as more than mere creatures; they serve as profound symbols that reflect the culture's values, beliefs, and artistic expressions.
What Are Fireflies Called In Japanese?
The Japanese word for firefly is "hotaru" (蛍), a term commonly used to refer to these luminous insects. In Japan, fireflies are cherished and symbolize passionate love, a sentiment expressed since ancient times, notably in the 8th-century poetry anthology Man'yōshū. Hotaru is primarily associated with two species: Genji-botaru and Heike-botaru, whose larvae feed on freshwater snails. Fireflies are especially prominent during late May and early June in Japan, marking a traditional observance known as hotaru-gari, where people enjoy the sight of these glowing creatures—a hallmark of Japanese summer.
The term "hotaru" has deep cultural significance, appearing in various idioms, haiku, literature, and art, and showcasing the unique relationship between fireflies and Japanese culture. The first recorded use of "hotaru" can be traced back to the "Nihon Shoki," highlighting its historical importance. Despite varying cultural perceptions of fireflies around the world, in Japan, they are a beloved symbol—embodying beauty and transience.
The ancient proverb 腐草蛍と為る (fusou hotaru to naru), meaning "The Impossible happens," further cements their place in Japanese lore. Ultimately, fireflies, or "hotaru," are not only natural wonders but also revered creatures that inspire poetic sentiment and cultural reflection in Japan’s rich heritage.
What Does Firefly Symbolize In Japan?
古代以来、日本の詩においてホタルは熱い愛の象徴として扱われてきました。江戸時代の鳥居派に所属していた清博は、俳優の絵を専門とした一方で、美人や若者を描写する優雅で suggestiveな作品でも知られています。ホタルは文化的に重要であり、多くのイディオム、俳句、短歌、小説、映画、歌、そして地名に登場します。小さくて独特な光を放つホタルは、魅力やポジティブな象徴として何世紀にもわたって重視されてきました。日本文化では、ホタルは戦死した武士の魂と見なされ、その柔らかい光は生と死の微妙なバランスを象徴しています。ホタルは情熱や愛の象徴であり、また卒業式などの儀式で演奏される「ホタルの光」という歌でも知られています。このように、ホタルは過去を思い出し、尊ぶ存在でもあります。日本ではホタルは愛や希望、導き、インスピレーションのサインとして解釈され、文化的なシンボルとしての価値が高いです。8世紀の詩集『万葉集』では、ホタルが愛の隠喩として使用されています。おそらく、ホタルは繊細な季節の象徴でもあり、夏の訪れを告げる存在でもあります。夏の6月と7月にはホタル狩りというイベントがあり、ホタルの光を楽しむために多くの人々が集まります。
What Do Butterflies Symbolize In Japan?
In Japan, butterflies embody deep symbolism, primarily representing transformation and rebirth, akin to their metamorphosis. These insects are rich in meanings, linking them to good fortune, femininity, and the souls of the deceased, thus reflecting various life aspects. Their historical context highlights significant roles in mythology, art, and traditional attire like kimonos and yukatas.
As symbols, butterflies convey messages of love and marital bliss. A pair dancing together signifies harmonious marriage and romantic love, which is why they are prevalent motifs in wedding garments. Additionally, butterflies epitomize womanhood and successful marriage, showcasing their importance in female identity and social roles. However, the perception of butterflies is dual; while they represent beauty and joy, they can also be viewed as mysterious or even sinister creatures.
In broader cultural comparisons, such as with Chinese symbolism, butterflies denote immortality, grace, and cheerfulness. The Japanese see them as representations of both the living and the dead, embodying longevity and spiritual connections. A white butterfly, for instance, is particularly significant.
In summary, the butterfly in Japanese culture is a multifaceted symbol of transformation, femininity, love, joy, and spirituality. Its aesthetic appeal makes it popular among artists, while its associations with personal growth and renewal reinforce its cultural significance. This rich tapestry of meanings underscores the butterfly’s enduring role in Japanese tradition and personal expression.
📹 Spirited Away Revealed: The Real Mythology & Folklore Explained!
00:00 Intro 01:18 Torii Gates, Hokora & Dōsojin 02:52 The Bathhouse & Haku 03:52 Shadow Kami & Pigs 05:03 Masked Kami …
Check out my breakdown of Ghibli’s Pom Poko: youtu.be/uWKS-8q8sp4 Also, the mythology behind Ponyo: youtu.be/w3daCR2J230 Princess Mononoke: youtu.be/f53ZCld72FI One Piece youtu.be/UAoCC2pXWmU Naruto: youtu.be/lVUxytLlJx4 & Avatar: The Last Airbender youtu.be/ZrKGg6a7riM
No Face is not evil. He simply absorbs what is around him and reflects it back. In the bathhouse, he was confronted with greed, and so reflected it back. Sen did him a kindness, letting him in out of the rain, so when “talking” to Sen, he was absorbing her kindness and gave it back. At “Granny’s” he was presented with illustriousness and kindness, and again, gave it back. He simply just “is”. Not good, not evil, just “is”.
At the end, when she’s told she must not look back when they leave – there is a moment where she almost turn back, but then her hair band glints, and she stops herself. The hairband was made by Zeniba, Bo and NoFace, and Zeniba said it would protect her. The ‘no looking back’ is a well known theme, but what about the hair band?
I love the attention to detail in this film. Here’s an example: their Audi Quattro has the steering wheel on the left. They drive on the left in Japan, so cars would normally have the wheel on the right. That means that the father imported that car, presumably from Germany and presumably at fabulous cost. It’s one of the first things that establishes greed as the central theme.
When Chihiro signs the contact, she actually writes her surname wrong (her name is ‘Chihiro Ogino’ and she writes the kanji for ‘Ogi’ wrong.) One theory why is that she wrote it wrong on purpose so that Yubaba never stole her real name from her so she never forgot her name, and therfore she could return to the human world at the end. Another theory is that Yubaba’s ability to make people forget their names was already coming into force, and Chihiro was already starting to forget her name. I think both are pretty cool theories.
I feel like No-Face was like a personality trait which was, ultimately personified as a character. The lack of identity of the character thus became the identity. He just tried to blend in whatever atmosphere he was put in. And moreover he tends to exaggerate the behaviorism of the said environment only to stand out as compared to others since he always longs for a sense of identity. In the Kami world it was depicted as a world dominated by consumerism. When No-Face was able to enter that realm, he consumed everything he could put his eyes on. He even deceived the people there by giving them gold. Since greed and gluttony drives the people of the realm, they tried their best to appease him. Which, made him stand out.
you missed one thing that was more news than folk lore, the stink spirit with the bicycle. The bike is significant. a couple of years before they made this movies they cleaned the moat of the imperial palace in tokyo. people had been dumping garbage in there for years and the thing that the media lit on to was that someone had even tossed a bicycle into the moat. By putting the bike in and drawing attention to it Miyazaki is saying this was the spirit of the imperial palace-close to the emperor himself-which is why he was so very important.
My wife has been listening to the meanings behind Spirited Away by someone who used to work at Ghibli I believe, and it is probably a matter of fact, many people will never know all the intentions behind this film Miyazaki made. Apparently Haku is Chihiro’s older brother. She has a memory of him saving her from the water and she looks naked. There is some concept in Japan about exchanging one’s life for another, and in this case Haku died saving Chihiro’s. The mother’s slightly resentful attitude towards Chihiro is hinting at this as well “stop holding me so tight” or “be careful” when they cross the stones on the water. Her mom needs help from her dad, but she never helps Chihiro, so she is a bit of a neglected child without any motivation. When Kamaji comments “that is true love” after Chihiro tries to help Haku and takes the train to Zeniba, is pointing to returning the favor to him for saving her life, and she is about to take the one way train, meaning it’s where people go to die and never come back, so essentially she is risking her own life.
you missed a major one that i think miyazaki hinted at in an interview: The Spirited Away originally were children that disappeared but miraculously reappeared years later unchanged. think children carried off by fairies to return decades later the same age. The dark truth was the children were stolen by slavers or sold to slavers by their parents. slaves lived very bad lives, especially girls sold to brothels, so most died without ever returning home. years later the parents would find an orphan and claim it was their long lost child returned by the spirits. a bit like the “zombies” in Haiti that DNA testing proved were just abandoned mentally disabled people. the parents who claimed they were their “zombified” children risen from the dead were simply grief stricken and in denial.
When Haku runs, in the beginning of the film, his body moves in a very specific way. He does not run like a sprinter. His movement is centred around the centre of his hips or Tan Den. His upper body and arms do not move so much.When I first saw the movie, I was struck by his running style and the animators who depicted it. I was 31 and had been training Aikido for 5 years and saw all the same principles of movement I was studying. I began to call it a “samurai run”. Thus hinting to us early in the film that Haku is a warrior. Look for this kind of movement in Lupon the Third’s samurai character Ge Gen, just before he draws his katana, the hips do the running while the upper body is left light relaxed and ready to draw and cut. In “Castle of Cagliostro” after Lupon is shot, Goimon says he felt better after food and that “treatment” Ge Gen gave him. This is a reference to Ge Gen also being an acupuncturist and a samurai, but it is such a throw away line most people would miss it. Love the cultural references. Fantastic movies.
I think spirited away is a good representation of how life can just “happen” to you, as well as how you choose to interact with it. Each character and the way they carry themselves can resemble how life happened to them, most of them being consumed by their demons and desires, which could suggest why most of them look like spirits or animals (or pigs like Chihiro’s parents). This would show how they don’t have any control over themselves, and are also all so attracted to Chihiro’s smell. When Chihiro first enters the bathhouse, Lin says it’ll only take “a couple days” before Chihiro’s smell wears off, possibly another metaphor for Chihiro’s naturally innocence and humanity.
Haku’s warning to not look back while she was leaving is similar to the greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. The myth says that when Eurydice died, Orpheus, devastated, descended to Hade, where he sung his grief with his lyre. Managing to melt even Hade’s and Persephone’s hearts, they decided to let him take his wife back. But under one condition: He should never look back to see his wife until they arrive in the living world. Unfortunately, once he stepped into the light, he turned his head to see her, not considering that she was still in the dark. A glimpse was enough and Eurydice was lost forever. This story is also quite similar to Izanami’s and Izanagi’s story from japanese mythology.
Chihiro was gone for years. At the beginning, the cave wall is red and there’s a distinct stone path before that mini statue in front of the entrance. Everything looks generally clean and new. When they leave the tunnel, the cave wall is a different material (gray stone slabs) and has overgrown vines covering it. There are also evident hints of age with the moss covering the statue now and weeds hiding the once clear stone path. This takes years to grow out and I’m more surprised how the car lasted without showing rust or engine failure but ig they still had to make it convenient for them. I really wish there was some after-story for this like how they find out just how long they were gone, what the whereabouts are for their other relatives, news reports going crazy on hearing about a missing family found in the same state they declared disappearance all those years ago. It seems exciting to watch, even if sadly, that second after-story doesn’t necessarily include Haku in it.
Spirited away gives me a feeling that I can’t explain but somehow I can relate to. Like you’re in a new place and you’re not sure if you can trust the people there or if they can even trust you. 4 months later: I feel severely detached from reality. 2 years later: i am diagnosed with psychosis and derealization 💀
There’s a moment in this movie where Sen says “He needs to get out of there. It’s bad for him”. I think that alone tells us everything we need to know about him. I’m not the best at describing exactly what it means but from how I see it, Sen is saying you become whatever you surround yourself with. He in essence isn’t good or bad but a reflection of the people he is around.
Not folkloric, but a cultural practice. In Japan and generally in East Asia, you don’t traditionally write your name by hand to serve as a signature, but use a seal: hanko or inkan in Japansese. These are the same as the artist’s stamp you often see on Japanese prints, often in red ink, but those are a more elaborate version of the hanko used by people for regular legal purposes. Use of officially registered hanko (jitsuin) is necessary for any important legal transaction, like buying a car or property, or getting married. Other hanko are needed for banking (ginkou-in) or less formal routine business like paying bills (mitome-in). This, I think, has a lot to do with the importance of the hanko which Haku stole from Zeniba and why recovering it was so urgent. We see how Yubaba obtains power over others by use of contracts, and then by appropriating part of their name. With Zeniba’s hanko in her possession, Yubaba could have obliged her to any contract she wished, and then stolen her power by taking her name. “Zeniba” incidentally means “money granny” (gamers may recognize “zenny” currency from Japanese games) so it’s ironic that she’s the un-covetous sister uninterested in material wealth but which may explain why her hanko was made of gold. Also, the first character of her name may be pronounced “sen”, a homophone of the name Yubaba leaves Chihiro with.
Quick note: from the topic of 10:57 it is said in Japan that the reason why Chihiro could escape from the spirit world is because she miswrote her name in a different Kanji…!! Her first name is 萩(Hagi)野(No) . If you look closely to Chihiro’s Hand writing, the 萩(Hagi) Kanji is different!! If you dismantle the Kanji, it is broken down to 3 parts, the top part which is called Kusa-Kanmuri, the left part which is called Nogi-Hen, and the right part which you can read as Hi(火) meaning fire. In Chihiro’s handwriting, the 火(Hi) part is changed into 犬(Inu), meaning Dog. THIS KANJI DOES NOR EXIST AND IT IS NOT HER REAL NAME!! Giving your name to Yubaba is like giving your soul or identity in the normal world to her. (idk if this is a Japanese thing but a name/Kanji carries lots of meanings and values.) That’s the reason why in the movie Chihiro almost forgot her own name. She almost forgot her real name bc in a way she sold her soul to Yubaba in the spirit world. Because Haku reminded Chihiro’s own name to her + she miswrote her name in the contract with Yubaba, Chihiro could escape the spirit world. (Sadly, although Haku recalled his real name (thanks to Chihiro,) I doubt he could escape the spirit world… after all he is a river which does not exist anymore and it is difficult to believe that he too will miswrite his own name) Wow that became long, okay byeeee🥰
Chihiro’s train journey through the flooded villages is also an allegory for the endangered villages of Japan (as well as the whole world). Kamazi says train used to go both ways, but now he only goes one way. This he describes the outflow of young people from the villages to the big cities. Not mythology, but also a reference as river pollutions.
I identify so much with Chihiro. I’m also a single child and moved when I was about her age. I was a scared child, never leaving my mum’s skirt for too far. My parents are also similar to hers: not really caring about just roaming about and trying things out. Beside Mononoke-hime this was one of my first Ghibli movies I ever saw a little girl. Now as a 29-year old I feel more like Chihiro by the end of the movie: standing up for herself and more self assured. I just love it very much.
Although beautiful, spirited away has this uneasy feeling attached to it. It’s like ghost stories and myth that are somewhat similar in many different cultures around the world. I guess that shows the real spiritual realm existence and how it interacts with human, each culture interpret them differently but the basics are still the same
“Don’t look back” because she will be dragged again by that world, it makes sense too because there were two-faced statues that may resemble the two dimensions. And if you look back in that way, your perspective will turn back into the realm. Just like what happened at the starting point where her parents started acting odd (remember her mother told first to get back in the car but after they passed the boundary they suddenly got eager to get in) but idk why Chihiro did not get carried away unlike her parents (they oddly became stubborn all of a sudden). It must be inspired by the concept of Roman Mythology about Orpheus and Eurydice. But the concept is adapted to the enchanted realm.
The name “Chihiro（千尋）” has more meaning. It means “extremely wide” or “endlessly deep. It can also be used to praise waterfalls, rivers, mountains, and majestic nature. It is one of the most beautiful and magnificent names in Japan. But when Yubaba saw the cowardly behavior of Chihiro, she took the name away from him, saying that such a name was not worthy.
You missed the fact that most of the workers in the Onsen are referred to multiple times as slugs and frogs. Specifically, the males besides Haku are all called frogs, and have faces that resemble them, while the short kinda pudgy women are called slugs. This may be a reference to the Japanese folktale about Jaraiya, a noble’s son who was forced to flee for his life after a snake demon murdered his father. He became the student of a Sage who taught him frog magic, and formed a relationship with the Sage’s other disciple, Tsunade, a woman who was learning slug magic. Another thing to mention is that I’ve heard Rin and the girls working with her in the pink uniform being referred to as foxes, indicating that they may all be kitsune. However, I am unsure of the veracity of this one.
I watched spirited away for the first time recently. The experience of being totally lost and disoriented is conveyed so strongly, it reminds me of being on a cruise ship for the first time or getting lost at a place like Cedar Point when you’re younger. The experience perusal Spirited Away brought me some of that childhood fun of getting lost in a really big place. It’s something I want to keep experiencing.
As a Japanese, this article is fascinating, to me “千と千尋の神隠し” AKA “Spiritual Away” is understandable because I grown up with Japanese environment every single detail in this movie is kinda familiar with us but maybe not for many people especially people who are with Western culture. Shin-to is not a single religion for Japanese it’s also our wisdom and I can say our identity of Japanese. Anyway I have fun with perusal your article thanks. One thing about “Kao Nashi” AKA “No Face”, Hayao Miyazaki mentioned about Kao Nashi in an interview, he said “everyone has Kao Nashi” and he created Kao Nashi as metaphor for criticizing internet culture in Japan, in Japan, people are completely hiding who they are in the internet and don’t face to a real life and they communicate with someone they don’t know each other it means they communicate with No Face. They’re following what they want not what actually happening now. That’s why No Face is so greedy. Sorry for my poor English.
I particularly liked the Yu Baba character and also the explaination of its possible origin, given in this article. Being Russian, I liked the idea of its resemblance with Baba Yaga, a character in the slavic methology. But Yu Baba is much more elegant. She goes to the gym and puts on make up every morning, for sure )))) Actually, she resemles certain kind of modern business women who are cruel to their stuff and are overcaring to their only offspring. It even reminded me of The Devil Wears Prada and its Miranda Pristly who was gorgeously played by Meril Strip just five years after Spirited Away were released.
i watched this movie when i was little on cartoon network didn’t know nothing about this show all i know was i was being entertained by all these unique characters. As i got older i always wonder what was the name of the movie I’ve watched when i was little. i searched up cartoon network movies couldn’t find it. I asked my friends they didn’t know. i was so bummed out i thought it was a dream. Until quarantine happen and Thanks to YouTube recommendation i found the movie
Spirited away is an absolute masterpiece from everyone who has worked on it, drawings, animations, storytelling, research, history … … The creativity in this film can hardly be put into words, it touches your mind. I enjoyed every second of the explanatory article, great research Sir, thank you very much!
This is a silly thought but the scene where the River Spirit was being cleansed probably represented something about humans and how they’re polluting the earth. The whole ‘humans are polluting the earth’ concept is actually a very common theme in Ghibli’s films (Princess Mononoke and Ponyo to name a few, and Miyazaki overall just hates people). Yubaba also mentions that humans like to ruin everything and thus the spirits have to come back to the bathhouse to replenish themselves from the filth the humans gave them. This is evident where the River Spirit is revealed to be loaded with trash, human trash to be exact. Bikes, laundry machines and even toilets. He’s been so polluted by humans he’s been completely transformed and even turned away by the other spirits. When he arrives at the bathhouse, Chihiro does her best to cleanse him. She is persistent and does all she can, even if she was clumsy and distressed. Although her efforts weren’t so effective, it made a statement, and ushered all the other bathhouse workers to help. This shows that the only way to help the environment is to work together. If no one makes a move, if the spirit hadn’t entered the bathhouse, it’d probably be filthy and disgusting forever, eventually rotting away. But with the teamwork presented in the bathhouse, it shows that it is possible. It is possible to cleanse this world if we all tried and cared together. But that’s just a theory, a film theory-
It’s lockdown and I just watched this. I have learnt so much from this. Chikhiro just follows instructions exactly in the movie regardless of who gives them and everything turns out fine. She is fearless and friendly despite how scary the characters appear. This might be hinting to me how I should live my life.
I just finished perusal Spirited Away (again) and damn, Spirited Away never ceases to be a truly beautiful work of art, there is something ineffable about it that warms the soul. Miyazaki, that wonderful bugger, I wish that Hollywood had even a fraction of his talent and that 2D animation in movies had not died an undignified death at the money grubbing hands of Disney.
I’d like to add the symbolism of the Sanzu river in that scene where Chihiro tries to go back but then ends up in this body of water and can’t leave. The Sanzu river for shinto is considered the river which the dead has to cross in their journey in the afterlife and that separates the material living from the spirits. I think there’s a good connection here, since when it’s still sunny, there’s nothing there, but at sundown, there’s already water in which spirits arrive through boats. It is also the water in her feet that makes them heavy and stops her from getting up and leaving.
There is a filipino folklore too that is the same as this. There’s a city that will suddenly appear but those who are living there are NOT normal people. But you can’t enter to that city easily and they said if you did enter into that place, and you eat this specific food in there which is a “black rice”, you’ll be trapped in that city FOREVER.
I think that moment when chihiro served the river god at the onsen is kinda evokes the memory for chihiro with river dragon and the feels in water too. So the memories comes easier when she ride on haku because she has experienced the senses before. And thats why she was convinced that the river name is haku’s name.
When i was 13 years old,many years before i first watched Spirited away,i saw something identical to No face appearance near the half-opened door of my brothers Room at night…i was a little scared but it vanished in one Second…When i watched “Spirited away” i was 18 years old and since them i tried to find the real inspiration Myiazaki took to create this character…
I always assumed that the “No Face” character was a kind of symbolism pun from ancient Chinese cultures, especially Chinese Ghost stories. During various time periods in Japan, they often admired cultural things from China such as the Great Tang Dynasty, among others. Japanese culture clearly was inspired by works by Pu Song Lin’s stories of Huli Jing (Kitsune vixen/fox sprites/demons) and various other Chinese ghost stories like Xi You Ji (Journey To The West/Monkey King). In ancient Chinese culture, which was a kind of strict shame culture of strict behaviors in manners, etiquette, self conduct, and like in Taosim “The Cultivation of One’s Conduct” also influencing things such as Bodhidharma’s “Chan” which is called “Zen” in Japan. Since the Culture Revolution, which somewhat per-started in the Chinese Ming Guo period, the Chinese challenged the “Honor” style leveraging of the shame culture, but since the Cultural Revolution which stripped away much of the old systematic rigid shame culture, it replaced it with something known today in China as “Face”. But, even “Face” was something of importance in ancient times as well. Terms like: “Mian zi” (Face), “Lian” (Face), “Bu Yao Lian” (meaning “don’t want face” – a shady person that disregards ‘face’ which is a kind of insult), Diu Lian (Loose face, Lost face), “Diu diu diu!” (a taunt meaning you lost your face and therefore shame on you), “guan mianzi” (care about face), save face/saving face, and there’s many references to a kind of hand gesture towards children or young people in which someone places a finger on their cheek and then pulls and flicks the finger at the person whom is misbehaving sometimes by saying “diu diu diu” (lost-lost-lost/loose-loose-loose) in their way of saying “Shame-shame-shame!
Persephone also ate the seed of the pomegranate while she was in the underworld, forcing her to come back and live there for 6 months every year, despite Demeter having rescued her up to the world of the living again. Wow, you did so much research for this!! Love the detail of the mask jaw being hinged by rope like the Noh masks. Wonderful.
The truly interesting thing about Kaonashi is that he’s actually meant to be autobiographical – a metaphor for Miyazaki himself, and his experiences before founding Studio Ghibli. That’s why he’s such a unique yōkai. In terms of his nature, Gentle Soul had it right: He’s an empath. When he is in the Onsen, he absorbs its greed and becomes greedy. But when healed by Chihiro, the greed is driven out of him and returns him to a “blank slate.” Zeniba, being the sort of witch she was, caused Kaonashi to reflect her kind and mannerly nature.
Considering the entire movie was an ode to Japanese culture and how it must be preserved and protected it seemed to me that No Face was supposed to be the personification of western culture and mass consumerism. I may be wrong since it’s been year since I’ve seen this movie, but I always thought it felt out of place and that was for a reason.
I was hoping I’d understand two things here: 1) why no-face was able to detect Chihiro while she was holding her breath on the bridge 2) why no-face did not disappear since he had not eaten anything from the spirit realm up until eating that frog – Haku gave Chihiro something to eat so she wouldn’t disappear from the spirit realm 3) why all of the creatures in the spirit realm could detect a human and why they looked down upon humans Besides the mythology, here is why I think Spirited Away stuck with us through all these years and inspires us to watch it again from time to time: * Chihiro’s journey into the spirit realm and getting trapped due to her parents’ selfishness reminds me of the unfairness of birth: you are born into this world without choice because your parents chose to have your for their own selfish reasons * being enslaved by YuBaba via the name change: your name is your identity. As an immigrant I noticed that my name was difficult to pronounce so I changed it for fitting into American culture. At some point I realized I had lost my identity and worked so hard for the machine to become a part of it and be accepted by my environment. * everyone’s eventual admiration of Chihiro: her childhood innocence and the fact that she always put her best foot forward in every situation shows us that truth eventually wins. Her child-like belief that everyone is good inside and does not mean to be evil. Her proclivity to rely on TRUTH to solve her problems rather than give into nihilism, deceit, and greed.
When princess Mononoke can to the west I was 10. My brother have rented it at blockbuster and we watch it and I fell in love. I watch it so many time I remember all the dialogue. When it was time to return the movie I cry so much and promise myself if I even make enough money I would buy it. Now I have the dvd, blue-ray and on my iPad 😂.
I remember perusal this movie back in Venezuela on the big screen and being surprised of how crowded the cinema was, then I thought (don’t get too excited, people think this is just another “cartoon” movie and grown ups are here because of their children) my biggest joy and surprise was the ovation at the end of the film…PEOPLE WERE ENJOYING A MIYAZAKI FILM; AN ANIME FILM!!!! when the lights turned on everyone was crying and the look in their eyes, OMG that was so beautiful to see, they were all touched by Ghiblis magic. It was awesome, I couldn’t believe it.
I just showed my 12 year old daughter Spirited Away for her first time. The first time I saw Spirited Away was shortly after I found out I was going to have my daughter 13 years ago. So it was a really special moment to show it to her. We watched half last night, as soon as she finished her school work today she was asking when can we finish the movie.🥰
Haku “You shouldn’t be here, get out of here!!!!!!!!! Get out before it’s too late!!” Then No Face “I only want to make gold for you, only for you.” Chihiro goes like “No, I don’t want gold, you are disturbing everyone, I’d like to ask you to leave now.” “Haku has helped me in the past, I must help him now, I won’t leave him…. Yes, when I fell into he river as a little kid… I didn’t drown, Haku… you saved me.” Bravery, friendship, sacrifice, loyalty, and character, this film covers it all. I watched it so many times in the past, won’t get tired of it.
Like any good movie Spirited Away shows us the story and the actions of the characters without spelling everything out for us with narration or endless dialogue. I noticed upon a second viewing that Chihiro never accepted anything that she didn’t work for and never gave into her base desires of greed, gluttony, and selfishness. Therefore she was able to traverse all the traps that were laid for her in the spirit world.
wow, thank you for your awesome article! this was one of my favorite movies growing up. I watched it so many times and never thought about learning more about it until I saw this article. the comments are very interesting as well. thank you to those who explained things that weren’t mentioned in the article. ♥
One thing I’d dearly like to point out is time passage. Though three maybe four days pass for our antagonist, the plant growth and fading of paint on the human side of the tunnel at the end refers to longer. There’s a tale of a man that falls in love with a wall painting and wakes up next to her. After a few days with her he suggests she wear her hair differently. When he wakes it is months later. He bumps into an old friend and points out the wall painting, her hair is now up.
i first watched this movie when i was around 9 or 10. we were on holiday in the UK, and me and my family had rented another family’s home. we were looking around after settling in and i found the DVD of Spirited Away in English dub in one of their drawers in the living room, and we decided to watch it. best decision ever made
Also, the idea of not looking back as you leave the spirit world is something that appeared in the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice; he was a musician whose music moved everyone and everything who heard it- when Eurydice died, he went into the underworld to bring her back and charmed everyone from Cerberus to Charon to Hades. He was allowed to lead Eurydice back to the world of the living, on the condition that he not look back. He almost made it, but he couldn’t see or hear her and ended up turning around right before passing through the gate back to the living world- Eurydice’s shade had been following silently the whole time and she smiled sadly at him before fading away. He had to return without her, and eventually was killed by the Maenads when they got tired of him grieving her.
I’d suggest the name taking also ties into European myths about ‘giving’ your name away allowing someone power, which can be seeing in everything from the adoption of ‘middle names’ to faeries to Rumplestiltskin. Your true full name is power, and you should never give it to anyone unless you completely trust them, or they can use it against you, etc. etc.
A couple of things about Kintarō, which was more than likely the inspiration for Boh: Kintarō candy is a popular sweet in Japan. When sliced, Kintarō’s face appears. Also, Japanese families with newborn sons will decorate the child’s room with Kintarō figures and pictures on Children’s Day (May 5), in the hopes their son will grow up big and strong like him.
I think one thing that people either know, or haven’t really gotten is when Chihiros name became Sen, which in the old days you would get an another name when working at a bath house, or other places that might have the same connection as the bath house. (Maybe getting a new name if you are a Geisha, or an Oiran.)
I have just seen this masterpiece for the first time. I have serious anxiety now as I have never felt so disconnected from nature. I wish I could live in such a spiritual world so close to nature. We are getting more and more disconnected from the nature and it’s really hard to find a place where you could experience the feeling again.
12:30 holy shit that Mud Yokai looks exactly like the Dolls from FMA Brotherhood. Also Inspiration for Almudron, need. About things you missed, the River God Chihiro saved was called a Celebrity by Yubaba. Kohaku was just a tool for her, despite beeing another River Kami, this implies the Kami is a Reference to a real Life River, or maybe Lake.
Names are important to the Fae/Fair Folk in western European mythology. Names have power, and invoking a name can sometimes give influence over the person who answers to it. A good example of this guarding of names is Rumplestiltskin. It’s also a superstition that a Faerie can literally take your name (which represents your identity and individuality as a person) and thus gain power over you; this could also be connected to Fae mischief, where humans have to read between the lines and take everything a Faerie says literally. (ex. “Can I have your name?”)
StoryDive, I just went through a bunch of your article collections and added a ton of stuff to my “watch later” list; your deep dives on anime films are real A1 stuff! On another article of yours, I already left a request for you to cover A Letter to Momo, and here are a few more anime films I would be thrilled to see your thoughts on: Mirai, Taro the Dragon Boy, Summer Days With Coo, Mai Mai Miracle, Children Who Chase Lost Voices, Lu Over the Wall, and Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms. Some of these have deeper mythology connections than others, but all of them have interesting details that it would be awesome to see you dissect!
I’ve watched this show too many times to count and everytime it’s just as good as it was the first time, I noticed that Despite NoFace’s appearence he only targeted the people that accepted his offering which I believe may have caused the acceptance by him to act the way he did. The reason I back up this point is despite any encounter NoFace had, he did not act unless he gave an offering, it may very well explain why he doesn’t get to touch chihiro through out the movie because no matter what he offers her she refuses, Only when she gave NoFace that ball did he try to attack her, But also take note while he attacked her or chased after her he was busy falling apart as if something were tearing him apart, I can say that the ball did cause him to vomit But as he jumped over the safety rails you could see parts of him got left behind like he was some sort of slime. That could very well be the effect of that ball but I believe there was a better meaning behind that, I would also say Yes she did accept that token for the bathhouse but from what I’d guess the debt has to be in his favour before he can/should act, Chihiro’s act of kindness to get him out of the rain may have saved him so in return he helped her, later on despite using the bucket of tokens You can say she did not accept them when he offered but instead taken when he no longer needed them.
I think this is my favourite film of all time. The music is beautiful, the art and animation is beautiful and detailed spirited away has also has such a beautiful sort of subtlety and minimalisitc nature especially in comparison to western films and more typical and modern anime that like to over indulge in unnessecary expostion. The world created is beautiful and really highlights how sensitive and rich japenese culture is
There’s a yokai called kasa-obake, which is an umbrella with one eye and one foot (it very rarely has two). Technically, kasa-obake is an umbrella, but when I was younger and I saw a figure we have of one in our house, I thought it was a lamp. Not really related to the article, but it’s one of my favourite yokai.
Thank you for your explanation about kamisama 神様, spirit 精霊 and Yohkai 妖怪. I’m Japanese but I’ve noticed a lot from your work. You have studied Japanese cultures very much. It’s wonderful. I must point out about some of Japanese pronunciation. 油屋 is not Aburaya but Yuya. 山姥 is not Yamauba but Yamammba. I’m looking forward to perusal your next work.
That was so interesting, thanks for explaining one of my favourite movies! Also, now I know the symbolic meaning of a “torii” > I was gifted a watercolour painting I saw at an auction house that depicts one of these so-called “toriis” ( I only knew it was Japanese and that the painting somehow struck me, and now I also know what’s actually hanging on my wall, LOL!). Awesome article.
When I first saw this film it was played in my high school geography class. We were given the choice to watch this movie or something else, and the kids who voted for it (which were a few) were vocally criticized for liking this genre. This was my first Japanese film I’d ever seen and I loved it. It inspired me to learn the Japanese language and culture. But I was bullied for studying it and expressing my appreciation for this film.
Date Of Comment: 8th Of May 2020 I Remembered Little Did A 7-Year-Old Me Knew This Was The Most Magical, Inspirational, Beautiful, Detailed Lores & Mythologies Ever Told In An Anime Film… When A Female Primary School Teacher Of My Primary School(Which I Had Forgotten Her Name) Decided To Load Up This Movie On A Screen Projector And Show It To My Entire School, Which In A Little Town, Back Then We Know Very Little About Technology, Back Then, There Was No Smartphone. However, The School Ended At The Scene Where Chihiro Saved Haku From Those Paper Dolls That Attacked Him… It Was My FIRST Anime Film That I Had Ever Watched. For Years, My Mind Was STUCKED On That Scene. I’ve Been Wondering “What Happened After That, What Was The Film’s Name…?” I Thought I Would Never Be Able To Find This Film And Re-watch It Ever Again, As It Will Remain In My Childhood Memories Forever, In FRACTURED, DISTORTED Note Of My Life, But Yet BEAUTIFUL At The Same Time… It Was As If There’s A Hole In My Heart That Can Never Be Fulfilled If I Never Finish The Film. For Years, I Find This Movies’ Emphasis On The Various Themes Of Real Life, Such As Consumerism, Social Status Quo, Greed, Gluttony, Growing Up And Many More… IRONIC REFLECTION And Yet TRUE To What’s Really Happening To The World Around Me, In It’s Very Own UNIQUE, WONDERFUL Ways Of World-Building & Story-Telling That Demonstrates The Film Producers’ Mastery Of Incredible Story-Producing Craftsmanship… Even If I Haven’t Finished The Movie. Until Year 2016, I Was Just Simply Scrolling Through “Anime Movies” Section Online. Then, There It Is… The Image Of Chihiro In This Thumbnail(But With Orange Glowing Hue Background) Caught My Attention, It Was As If The Memory Flood Gates Had Opened, A Sudden Gush Of Chills And Goosebumps Floods My Brain And Throughout My Whole Body. The Title “Spirited Away” Called Upon Me, It Was My True Calling All Along… Seconds After, I Downloaded The Movie, Sit Back And Watched It As It Unfolds. But This Time, In A Fulfilled,Completed Fashion. After Finishing The Movie, I Am SATISFIED, I Felt WHOLE, I Felt COMPLETE. The Once Empty Hole In My Heart Is Fulfilled, The Experience Was Simply EXOTIC. It Was My FIRST Anime Film That I Had Watched, It Was The FIRST Movie That Made Me Actually Cared And Feel Related About The Characters. It Felt REAL, And It Still Is For Me To This Day. I Had Even More Questions Than I Had Before About The Film After I Had Finished It — “What Were The Inspirations For These Creatures, These Characters?”, “How Did They Manage To Give An Unspeakable Variety Of Meaning To Every Single Thing, Every Single Event That Had Happened In This Film In Such Beautiful, Coordinated Fashion?”… I Began To Search For My Answers As I Dug Deeper Throughout Various Platforms, article Analysis, Mythological Stories… Now You Know Why I Am Here. #YouTubeAlgoritm Anyhow, For Those Who Had Read This Far, Thank You For Your Time And Patience, Thank You For Reading My Story. Not Only That, StoryDive, I’d Like To Thank You For Your Research On Spirited Away, I Get To Learn More Every Day. I Wish You The Best Of Luck Every Day, Peace Out And Much Love. <3
Bonjour, I watched your article just right now. I don’t know if anyone told you this before, but many characters designs were inspired by the painting ( in French it’s « estampe » I don’t know how to translate it, I’ll see later before forgetting to write this comment, apologies ~ ) the painting in question is called the “Night Parade of One Hundred Demons”. I love this « painting » a lot, a master piece of traditional Japanese art. Thanks a lot for you article, it was very informative and helpful to understand mythology behind this movie, it’s actually my favourite movie I ever watched. Then thank you. As a big fan of the Touhou project ( an independent series of article games made by one man Jun’ya ota aka ZUN, there’s many inspirations from Japanese and Asian myths. In its games, books and others media’s, including his musics in his CD there’s many concepts used in Touhou world too, like shikigami, onmyoudo, or youkais for example. So I’m very familiar with those topics ) Ghibli films are awesome, and I’m glad to see that this film still makes people excited about it ! I could tell you many things about it but I need to work my finals of biochemistry right now, maybe later. If you read my comment, I’m very thankful and if it was interesting this make me very happy to know it. Au revoir ~
3:29 Those were flower petals? Until I saw this article, I always thought that was glass Haku was using due to the “twinkling” sound effect that accompanied Jason Marsden’s (the English dub actor) sound. I was made to believe this even more when Chihiro confirmed his true name after the left Zaneba’s and he transitioned from a dragon back into a human and when his “scales” disappeared, it had that same glass twinkling sound effect, but only intensified and multiplied. Now I wonder if those are actual petals in that scene or if it’s still my earlier theory
5:53 Look up the mythology of Greek god Persephone. the seed is a pomegranate seed which hade’s tricks her into eating forcing her to stay in the underworld with him. she can only come out for a finite amount of time each spring. 9:32 you missed on one Yubaba, the slightly more uncomfortable one being the name for brothel madams.
For the meaning of the original name Chihiro 千尋, it’s not “a thousand questions”, but rather “a thousand hiro”, with hiro 尋 being a traditional unit of length in ancient China and Japan. The same character can also be pronounced as “tazu” as in “tazuneru” 尋ねる, in which case it would mean “to seek” so I see where the confusion comes from. But when pronounced as “hiro,” it represents a unit of measure for distance/length. From Wikitionary: 尋（ひろ）は、古代の中国や日本で使われた長さの単位であり、現在の日本では主に水深を表すのに用いる。 尋 (Hiro), unit of length in ancient China and Japan, now mainly used in Japan for depth of water.
10:07 also interesting, that in Belarus Baba Yaga was called Baba Yuga. I think, that it’s because Baba Yaga was based on the leader of Amazons, who lived in Dagestan, because it was said, that their leader is a woman, who can teach everyone, but at this time she isn’t too old to defend her place in society-not a young woman, but at this time not old woman-the real baba(word that tranformed of words “Mama”-mother and “Babushka”-grandmother). And for me as for russian the word “yug” means “south”, and I think that word Yubaba was made of “Yug” and “Baba”.
🖐 Have to also point out this character ( 油 ) read as “YU” in kanji. – You’ll see it all over the place from the entry portal where they entered the spiritual realm, to the spa (@2:56 @9:29 @16:27). Even in the contract itself (@10:57). – It’s used as a surname here or as a stamp of ownership. It’s like saying “The House of YU” in western practices, hence perhaps the name “YU-baba”. All things with 油 stamp is owned by YU-baba, again showing the importance and weight of one’s name. – It also means ‘oil’ or ‘crude oil’ in kanji. A symbolism perhaps of petrol and industrialization, a pollutant to nature. Chihiro’s ‘escape’ from The House of 油 is maybe symbolic of our escape from the bounds of industrialization and capitalism. and 油 / oil is hard to wash off. – lastly, i love this film!! 😬
No Face I believe is Miazaki’s take on Noburo who are a No face Yokai. They appear as normal people, but they lack any normal facial features. Mouth, eyes, nose, eyebrows. No face has a mask, but I think that’s to hide the fact that he has no true face. He only gains a mouth and voice and hair after he consumes others.
The hopping lamp at Zeniba’s house is a Hinkypunk, as mentioned in Harry Potter, Prisoner of Azkaban. “The Hinkypunk is a little one-legged creature and looks as if it is made of smoke. It carries a lantern with which it lures travellers into bogs.” The name of the place where Zeniba lives (in the English version) is “Swamp Bottom”.
Thanks for this. Interestingly dragons (serpents) appear as water protectors in so many mythologies, I can’t even count, one is Tiamat, female dragon protecting water in Babylonian myths, who was however slayed by a male “hero” Marduk. By the way ever since those times dragons are depicted as slayed by some male hero or saint, as in Christianity, St. George. This symbolized patriarchy killing the feminine. In Armenian folklore dragon statues would be placed at the source of rivers, protecting those.
This is a brilliant piece of research on whats very likely the context Miyazaki intended, whether he acceded or not. His work, his vision is legendary, and meaning that both figuratively and literally in no way detracts from his accomplishments. I’m polishing a Celtic based supernatural script, and intending now to open it up wider, to include hints of ancient lore. Many thanks for a fine, and deeply inspiring piece. Kudos.
I asked my Japanese boyfriend to try and explain to me some of the quirks of this movie that I just didn’t quite get, and his response was that I should just watch more Miyazaki movies. My American English major mind just needed some simple explanations and comparisons, and I thank you so much for providing that here. Still think it’s a beautiful movie, and when Chihiro breaks Haiku’s spell, it always brings me to tears.
Guys, I wanna ask u something. I watched this movie when I was little and first came out and I clearly remember a different ending of the movie. I remember that Chihiro finally arrived to her new house and found out that Haku was her neighbour. Why am I the only one that remembers it when infact this scene does not exist? 😭😭😭
Anyone else noticed how Haku said that after 3 days eating their food Shihiro wouldn’t stink of human and, by the looks of it, she was there for about 3 days? Also, as pointed out by someone else on the thread, going by the phases of the moon it looks like they spent about 3 weeks in there, but, even worse, when they go out again there’s no more plaster over the entrance (plaster that Shihiro’s dad pointed out when they were walking in) and it’s completely overgrown, so they might have spent even more time in the spirit world, and I find that thought terrifying
Chihiro means “one thousand fathoms” and Sen drops the depth and means “thousand”. It’s interesting how some lines are translated into English. When Chihiro is trying to get her parents to leave, she says 帰ろ kaero – which doesn’t literally mean “let’s go”, it’s the informal imperative “return”. I hear that as her saying, we have to go back. Yubaba can literally mean “hot water granny” and I always assumed everyone called her that as more of a title, much like a female proprietor of an inn or restaurant is called Mother. Unsure if that’s her actual name, but in many cases spirits have names that literally describe what they do – lots of nominative determinism. Zeniba may mean positive thought or good intentions. That fits with her character but I am unsure of the kanji used for her name.
I love this movie so much!! It’s gorgeous but, I had this uneasy feeling throughout the whole movie… And it’s amazing how the writers and illustrators can make you feel like that. It’s like fun and beautiful but on the other hand it’s also pretty dark. E.g; I was always so terrified by the scene where chihiro’s parents had become pigs. But it’s so cool that a movie can make you feel uneasy and think its beautiful at the same time. ❤️
This film is truly a beautiful film, but what a lot of people tend to miss is that this story is based off the sex trafficking that happened and still happens in Japan Miyazaki used his platform to bring awareness and his subtle hints to very small yet important details/ moments in the film truly makes me proud of my ancestors and their country. Each character may look harmless but has so much depth behind them. So much knowledge people have to gain from this movie❤
The movie is in essence about the seven deadly sins. I noticed three of them: Gluttony can be seen on Chihiro’s parents, when they are turned into pigs … Greed can be seen on the staff of the Onsen, when they want the gold of NoFace but the gold later turned to dirt and Yubaba gets angry about that … Sloth can be seen on Boh (Yubaba’s son), when he only cares about himself.
One of the most apparent mythological elements to me was in the end where Haku tells Chihiro not to look back at the spirit world as she leaves. This seems to be borrowed from the Orpheus myth, where Orpheus goes to Hades to save his lover Eurydice (similar to how Chihiro saves her parents from the spirit world), and is told not to look back until he reaches the regular world. Unfortunately, he looked back to see if Eurydice was following him before they reached the surface world, and she disappeared forever.
I used to watch this movie and remember this as being so creepy and weird and then i wanted to watch it again and persuave to myself that it wasn’t that creepy and then i was like: “woah, this is weird. It’s probably one weirdest dystopia/utopia/possibly communist movies and stories I’ve ever heard of.
quick note for future reference I hope can be helpful: Japanese words tend to have an emphasis on the first syllable, so HAku, not haKU. And it’s not an alphabet, it’s a syllabary, so every vowel is its own letter, then every other consonant (except ‘n’) is always paired with a vowel to be 1 letter. So if you see “Obasan” and “Obaasan”, those mean 2 different things.
Just watched the movie again after well over a decade since I’ve last seen it. I have to say the movie stayed in my head for being extremly weird to me as a kid, but now that I’ve heared that there is a mythology behind the movie wihch I simply didn’t knew about before, the movie makes more sense to me. I get the praise the movie gets, it’s simply a piece of art
Great research! About Bou I thought it might also have to do something with the Buddha, because the kanji in his clothes, meaning “boy”, also means “Monk” and can form the word for Buddhist monk. And, like Siddhartha Gautama (who after became the Buddha), Bou starts being a spoiled child completely unaware of the struggles of those outside the “palace”. Then, he gets outside and sees those struggles people have to face and it makes him become more humble. This is just my speculation, tho, but I find it interesting
Chihiro, during the start of the movie is shown very anxious and uncomfortable by the idea of moving into a new place. Then she gets spirited away, and during the latter parts of the movie, she’s shown remembering the river as a kid, which also passes by this new place she’s getting into. And yea, by the end of the movie it’s also shown she has developed love for the river, or she always had it, just didn’t know. Now, when she leaves the spirit realm, her parents ask her something about if she’s uncomfortable at this new place, which she initially was. But now she’s all, “nah, it’s fine. I can to the school tomorrow”. More comfortable with the place. Does this show how, even after changing places the nature, river in this case, still connects you and comforts even though you don’t realize it?
What a beautiful movie I watched for the first time last night and I can’t describe what it made me feel, the whole ambiance and scenery of the town had me in awe it made me feel peace but also intrigued as if I wanted to be there to see it with my own eyes. And the characters were also very intriguing even tho a lot of them were spirits not a single one of them made me feel scared. I loved it
The associationnof Dragons with Rivera and Rain if I recall traces back to Chinese Astrology, as the Dragon Zodiac is considered one of the zodiacs pertaining to the Zodica Group of the Water Element. It also had something to do with kindness and purity, exactly because It’s associated with an elemebt that in zodiac is reflective if those temperament traces