is a novel by the Japanese writer
Kōbō Abe, published in 1962. It won the 1962
Yomiuri Prize for literature, and an English translation and
a film adaptation appeared in 1964.
The novel is intended as a commentary on the claustrophobic and limiting nature of existence, as well as a critique of certain aspects of Japanese social behavior. The story is preceded by the
aphorism "Without the threat of punishment there is no joy in flight."
Plot
In 1955, Jumpei Niki, a schoolteacher from Tokyo, visits a fishing village to collect insects. After missing the last bus, he is led by the villagers, in an act of apparent hospitality, to a house in the dunes that can be reached only by rope ladder. The next morning the ladder is gone and he finds he is expected to keep the house clear of sand with the woman living there, with whom he is also to produce children. He ultimately finds a way to collect water which gives him a purpose and a sense of liberty. He also wants to share the knowledge of his technique of water collection with the villagers someday. He eventually gives up trying to escape when he comes to realize that returning to his old life would give him no more liberty. He accepts his new identity and family. After seven years, he is proclaimed officially dead. (In the original Japanese version, he is proclaimed officially as a missing person.)
Publication, reception, and legacy
The book attracted much attention in Japan on its publication in 1962, earning praise from critics as well as contemporaries such as
Kenzaburō Ōe
is a Japanese writer and a major figure in contemporary Japanese literature. His novels, short stories and essays, strongly influenced by French and American literature and literary theory, deal with political, social and philosophical issues, i ...
and
Yukio Mishima. It won that year's
Yomiuri Prize for literature. An English translation appeared in 1964, as did
a film adaptation directed by
Hiroshi Teshigahara starring
Eiji Okada
was a Japanese film actor from Chōshi, Chiba. Okada served in the Imperial Japanese Army during World War II and was a miner and traveling salesman before becoming an actor.
Internationally, his best-remembered roles include Lui ("him" in Fre ...
and
Kyōko Kishida
was a Japanese actress, voice actress, and writer of children's books.
Career
Kishida became an actress in 1950, and starred in a Yukio Mishima production of the 1960 film '' Salome''. Her film and television drama credits number in the hundreds ...
which won the
Special Jury Prize at the
1964 Cannes Film Festival
The 17th Cannes Film Festival was held from 29 April to 14 May 1964. On this occasion, the Palme d’Or was renamed "Grand Prix du Festival International du Film", a name that remained in use through 1974, after which it became the Palme d'Or agai ...
.
References
Works cited
*
*
Further reading
*
*
External links
*
*
The Woman in the Dunes' at the
Internet Archive
{{DEFAULTSORT:Woman in the Dunes, The
1962 novels
20th-century Japanese novels
Japanese novels adapted into films
Novels by Kobo Abe