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VOL. 12, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Mythic quietude: A comparative defense of “Karasu no Ko no Monogatari” in Japanese literary tradition
Authors
Wasantha Samarathunga
Abstract
This research paper analyzes “Karasu no Ko no Monogatari” as a
contemporary text that incorporates the classical Japanese aesthetic tradition
and engages with the global mythic tradition. By doing so, this paper will
contend that the Japanese version of the text is an original work of literature
and not a derivative of the English version. The silence, reserve and
waka-poetics of the text reveal a deep relationship with the traditional
Japanese values of suggestion, restraint as well as depth. But the mythic form
and symbolic opacity of the text also place it within the larger tradition of
world literature, which uses parable-like narratives to explore philosophical
and emotional questions. This paper will also focus on the psychological aspect
of the narrative and demonstrate how the crow and the old man’s relationship
exemplify a gentle and patient approach to healing. By integrating the Japanese
aesthetic tradition, comparative mythology, and narrative psychology, this
paper will show that “Karasu no Ko no Monogatari” makes a significant contribution
to contemporary Japanese literature and the broader debate about the
contemporary forms of mythic fiction in the twenty-first century.
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Pages:281-285
How to cite this article:
Wasantha Samarathunga "Mythic quietude: A comparative defense of “Karasu no Ko no Monogatari” in Japanese literary tradition". International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, Vol 12, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 281-285
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