The Representation of Imperial Soldier and The Memory of Repatriation in Abe Kōbō ：“<i>Henkei no kiroku</i>”

Abstract

This study focuses analyzes the portrayal of Japanese military soldiers in terms of both their culpability and victimization in Abe Kōbō’s short story “<i>Henkei no kiroku</i>”. Through its analytical framework, this paper aims to delve into the intricate workings of Abe’s psyche, ultimately uncovering the profound interconnection between his post-war consciousness and his identity as a repatriate. The Japanese soldiers depicted in “<i>Henkei no kiroku</i>” simultaneously exhibit both vulnerability to victimization and cruel tendencies. This characteristic parallels the nature of repatriates, who often possess both victim and aggressor traits. Moreover, within the narrative, the struggles of the Kwantung Army to escape from Manchuria underscore their persistent inability to achieve repatriation. This particular outcome for the Kwantung Army is a symbolic reflection of the historical reality faced by numerous Japanese soldiers who found themselves unable to return to Japan after the war. This study clarifies that the aggressive and victimized traits of the soldiers in Abe Kōbō’s works emerge not as a result of their specific actions, but rather because of the variations in their circumstances and their ability or lack of it to return to Japan.