Reconstruct a Story

Freesia blooming season in Japan

Hello, this is Youkou.

Last week, I took the final exam for this semester of the Open University of Japan. I've been studying psychology since last October. When I came up with the idea for "東風 (KOCHI)", I decided to enroll.

The Open University of Japan
https://www.ouj.ac.jp/eng/

I've always been interested in Hannah Arendt. Since I started studying at this university, I have learned that she is featured in the field of social psychology. I'd like to deepen my study in this field in the future.

Because I'm interested in what she calls "the banality of evil".

Kami(≒deity) of Academics

Sugawara-no-Michizane, who is one of the character of "東風 (KOCHI)", is famous as 神様(Kami-sama, ≒deity) of academics in modern Japan.

During his lifetime as a human, he served his country as a scholar and a politician. He rose to become a minister in his prime. However, one day he was suddenly relegated to Dazaifu and passed away after 2 years. It is said that he became a vengeful ghost after his death and became a god by being worshipped.

This story is very famous in Japan, and has been retold in many novels and stage productions. For example, the script "天神記(Tenjinki)" written by 近松門左衛門(Chikamatsu Monzaemon) is very famous.

天神記 (国立図書館コレクション) 近松門左衛門
https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B00QOMAB2U

Kabuki A to Z:Chikamatsu Monzaemon｜文化デジタルライブラリー
https://www2.ntj.jac.go.jp/dglib/modules/kabuki_dic_en/entry.php?entryid=1202

I'd like to reconstruct this story in my own way.

What if Michizane was not a scholar?

What if he was not a politician?

What if he never went to Dazaifu?

What if he didn't become a vengeful ghost?

Through the many Chinese poems and Japanese poems written by Michizane, I feel as if I can imagine a future that could have been. I think Hannah Arendt's thought may give me a hint for seeing a separate world in my mind's eye.

However, I'm still in the process of learning. I'll do my best to finish my studies.