Click the link below for you to read the story. Afterwards,
answer the questions that follow and do the tasks which are expected of you to
do.
You can use the Wikipedia on the right side of our blog and
the a2z dictionary on the lower left part for unfamiliar words you might
encounter.
I. BACKGROUND and Overview of the Story:
II. FULL TEXT of the Story:
III. QUESTIONS for discussions:
Note: You may also ask questions and/or react to the answers
of your classmates. Here, I will see how you do online interaction through
on-line exchange of ideas. Remember to apply good manners and netiquettes in the
web.
1. In your own words, identify the major events in the
drama.
2. What are the traits and qualities of the character that
make them different from one another?
3. From your understanding of the characters, how would you
describe their relationship with one another?
4. Point out aspects of Japanese life and culture that are
shown in the selection. Which of these are similar and different from our
Filipino way of life?
IV. WATCH the video clip by clicking the link below. This would
show you how the selection is portrayed through role playing. Meet as a class when you return to the seminary and discuss, plan, and delegate roles and
responsibilities. You are expected to perform a role play of the story. This
time, we will have 1 group only and that means all of you belong to only 1
group.
1.) The major event is the drama is when the Holy Woman was trying to cure Yoshitaro. She said that Yoshitaro was possessed by a fox. The Holy Woman was trying different tactics, uttering different voice, chanting, making mysterious motions with her body, pretending to be Kompira, the spirit enthroned on Mount Zozu. Hanging Yoshitaro in a branch of a tree and smoke him with green pine needles.
ReplyDeleteAnother Major event is when the younger brother Suejiro came home and found out what they’re doing to his elder brother. He became upset got mad to his father and the Holy Woman.
2.) Yoshitaro-is a 24-year old son, but has the qualities and the attitude of a little boy. (Immatured) somewhat insane. Believes in supernaturals.
Suejiro-smart 17 - year old younger son. Very much concern, loving and protective to Yoshitaro. He is more modern and does not believe in occult practices.
Gisuke- The father who already lost hope and patience for the cure of Yoshitaro. Easily believes in some occult practices. Very low in faith and spirit.
3.) Gisuke is a loving but impatient father. He easily lost patience to Yoshitaro but proud to Suejiro, a smart son.
Suejiro-despite his young age, he has a matured attitude and beliefs. He loves his older brother so much. He always protects him no matter what. He is vocal to say or reprimand his father, if his father is doing and believing wrong things.
Yoshitaro-He is dependent to his younger brother Suejiro. He considered Suejiro as his strength and protector.
4.) Japanese values importance of family. That’s what makes similar to Filipinos. Japanese also believe in occult or vesper practices. Here in the Philippines especially in remote areas they also believe in vesper, witchcraft. Somewhat similar to them. Japanese children are close to each other and they love one another, same as the Filipino children.
Hi Jethro. Were there times when you also had personally witnessed or experienced "albularyo" healing? If yes, I would like to know a short narration of what happened and how did you see it as a very Filipino practice. How do you react on the characteristics of Gisuke? Do you see any common trait of Gisuke to a typical Filipino father? to your own father?
DeleteYes sir. My late grandmother was complaining on her painful hips and inflamed feet. She seeks medical advice to different doctors and gave her several meds, and yet, it did not subside. And so, because of these slowly lost hope, and because of her eagerness to get well. She consulted an “albularyo”. The “albularyo” made some “orasyon” and suddenly pinch my grandmother’s toes very hard. And my grandmother shouted, because of her pinching. She even gave her lists of leaves for her to drink. But sad to say, nothing happens.
DeleteGisuke is just a typical father. Because of his love for his children, he will try everything and anything just to cure his son. Just like my father, he is very loving and protective father. He doesn’t want us to be in danger and very much worried if we are sick.
Thanks Jethro, NIce to hear the story. I also had the same experience. If our biological fathers are like that, we believe that God as our Father could love us more beyond any words. God bless you!.
DeleteThanks sir! God bless you too!
DeleteThanks sir! God bless you too!
Delete1.For me the major events in the drama are:
ReplyDeleteA)the part where Yoshitaro managed to get at the top of the roof despite having injuries
B)the part where Tosaku recommended to the family of Yoshitaro the holy woman/hag/priestess that can talk to the gods
C)the part where Yoshitaro's younger brother Sujeiro convinced their parents that there is no demon monkey inside Yoshitaro and that he is just a good climber
D)the ending where everything goes back to normal and Yoshitaro is at the roof looking at the distance and telling his brother Sujeiro that he sees the goddess in the sky
2.each character are different from one another and this are:
Batsushima Yoshitaro is a normal person just like everyone else he is just a good climber
Sujeiro despite being the younger brother of Yoshitaro he protected him even if he knows that everyone is against his opinion
Gisuke and Oyoshi are the parents of Yoshitaro and Sujeiro even if at first they were convinced that their son is possessed they thought about what Sujeiro was telling them and they were convinced that Yoshitaro is not possessed
Tosaku and Kichjii for me this two characters did not do much in the story
but they are different from the others
Hag for me she is the antagonist in the story because she was a false priestess and she could not talk to the Gods as Sujeiro said
3.everyone has a good relationship with one another except for the hag because she put Yoshitaro in smoke so that the monkey spirit would leave him
4.the only similarity that i could see in the to countries culture is that we believe in spirits and that we must be careful not to be possessed by these spirits because they might harm us
Hi Carlos. Do you think Yoshitaro is a psychologically-challenged person? How do you see Sujeiro as a brother? Aside from the common superstitious and supernatural beliefs, do you see any similarities with Gisuke’s family to a typical Pinoy family?
Delete1. In your own words, identify the major events in the drama.
ReplyDelete- When Yoshitaro is always in the roof and always imagining about the Gods in the clouds
- When Priestess was healing/curing the son of Giruke
- When Suejiro saved Yoshitaro from the smoke which Priestess made it.
- When Suejiro and Yoshitaro was imagining the Gods in the clouds and are very happy.
2. What are the traits and qualities of the character that make them different from one another.
- Their names, spelling of their names, their feature, their faces, their imagination, their quality.
3. From your understanding of the characters, how would you describe their relationship with one another.
- Yoshitaro Katsushima and Suejiro Katsushima are brothers and they are very close to each other.
- Yoshitaro Katsushima and Suejiro Katsushima is the sons of Gisuke Katsushima they are not close to each other because his father is so selfish.
- Yoshitaro Katsushima and Suejiro Katsushima is the sons of Oyoshi Katsushima they are not close to each other.
- Yoshitaro Katsushima and Suejiro Katsushima are the one who hurt, savage, put away Priestess to their Island.
- Tosako is the neighbor and he is the best friend of Gisuke Katsushima.
- Kichiji is the also the best friend of Gisuke Katsushima and the one pulled down Yoshitaro Katsushima from the roof.
What's up Chrismer? (",) Do you believe that Yoshitaro really see the gods in the clouds? Why? Do you think that Gisuke is frustrated about how Yoshitaro has become?
DeleteYes because Yoshitaro is very imaginative and always go up on high places and he is even talking to the God's on the clouds. Yes because he think that Yoshitaro is crazy, but actually he is not crazy, he is an imaginative child only.
DeleteThank you Chrismer. So I believe that you see Yoshitaro as imaginative person. God bless you!
Delete1.) The major event is the drama is when the Holy Woman was trying to cure Yoshitaro. She said that Yoshitaro was possessed by a fox. The Holy Woman was trying different tactics, uttering different voice, chanting, making mysterious motions with her body, pretending to be Kompira, the spirit enthroned on Mount Zozu. Hanging Yoshitaro in a branch of a tree and smoke him with green pine needles.
ReplyDeleteAnother Major event is when the younger brother Suejiro came home and found out what they’re doing to his elder brother. He became upset got mad to his father and the Holy Woman.
2.) Yoshitaro-is a 24-year old son, but has the qualities and the attitude of a little boy. (Immatured) somewhat insane. Believes in supernaturals.
Suejiro-smart 17 - year old younger son. Very much concern, loving and protective to Yoshitaro. He is more modern and does not believe in occult practices.
Gisuke- The father who already lost hope and patience for the cure of Yoshitaro. Easily believes in some occult practices. Very low in faith and spirit.
3.) Gisuke is a loving but impatient father. He easily lost patience to Yoshitaro but proud to Suejiro, a smart son.
Suejiro-despite his young age, he has a matured attitude and beliefs. He loves his older brother so much. He always protects him no matter what. He is vocal to say or reprimand his father, if his father is doing and believing wrong things.
Yoshitaro-He is dependent to his younger brother Suejiro. He considered Suejiro as his strength and protector.
4.) Japanese values importance of family. That’s what makes similar to Filipinos. Japanese also believe in occult or vesper practices. Here in the Philippines especially in remote areas they also believe in vesper, witchcraft. Somewhat similar to them. Japanese children are close to each other and they love one another, same as the Filipino children.
Hi Ivan. Nice to see you here. Why do you have the same answers with that of Jethro?
Delete
ReplyDelete1. In your own words, identify the major events in the drama.
- When Yoshitaro is in the roof imagining the Gods and their kingdom made up of clouds.
- When Tosaku introduced the Holy Women to the parents of Yoshitaro.
- When the Holy Women was posses by the God and let Yoshitaro be smoke.
- When they did the smoking thing to Yoshitaro.
- When Suejiro stopped them and debate with the Holy Women.
- In the last where Yoshitaro and Suejiro watch the sunset happily.
2. What are the traits and qualities of the character that make them different from one another?
- Yoshitarô - He is a special guy and he believe that he talk to Gods.
- Suejirô - He is fair and know the right of Yoshitaro
- Gisuke - He easily believes in what other say.
- Oyoshi - She was like his husband.
- Tôsaku - A helpful neighbor.
- Kichiji - A obedient server.
- Holy-woman - A bad person who just care for her self and for money.
3. From your understanding of the characters, how would you describe their relationship with one another?
- They don't understand each other and they misinterpret the actions of one.
- Only Suejiro understand the feelings of Yoshitaro.
4. Point out aspects of Japanese life and culture that are shown in the selection. Which of these are similar and different from our Filipino way of life?
- We believe in creatures that we don't know if its real or not.
- We love our family so we will do anything to protect or to cure them.
Hi Piolo.Do you agree with treating illnesses through spirit doctors (albularyo)? Can you relate some parts of the story to your personal life? I am excited to know your story
Delete1. In your own words, identify the major events in the drama.
ReplyDeleteYoshitaro is a 24 years old man who has, some believed it, a curse of monkeys because of his father shooting monkeys but later identified it's a fox spirit. Gisuke found a way to "cure" him with the help of his neighbor, who said there is a holy woman in the island and told Kichiji to bring Yoshitaro down. The holy woman pretends that she is speaking to the God Kompira and told the cure will be smoking Yoshitaro upside down with green pine needles. When Suejiro came, he stopped everything and kicked the priestess out and Yoshitaro came back to the roof, and lived happily.
2. What are the traits and qualities of the character that make them different from one another?
Yoshitaro- a crippled 24 years old man who can see the Gods and can climb high places
Suejiro- He is the smart 17 years old brother of Yoshitaro who do not believe the priestess
Gisuke- The father of Yoshitaro and Suejiro, who is not proud of his son, Yoshitaro.
Kichiji- The obidient servant of the family.
3. From your understanding of the characters, how would you describe their relationship with one another?
Yoshitaro and Suejiro- They have a strong bond/ brotherly love. Suejiro loves his brother even if he is a different person and the only one in the story who really cares and understand his brother.
4. Point out aspects of Japanese life and culture that are shown in the selection. Which of these are similar and different from our Filipino way of life?
Similarities is that we love our families and the Differences is that we do not believe in other gods, but with one, holy God.
Johnray, why do you think is Sujeiro not convinced about the priestess? What could have led to his disbelief/doubt about the spirit doctor? Do you see such brotherly care in the seminary?
ReplyDeleteIt is because that maybe the tone of the priestess may be too obvious that she is only acting it up.
DeleteBecause he knew that when it is really a god who said it, it would maybe not the means by killing him.
Yes, I see it everyday.
I agree that the priestess was just acting. God bless you!
Delete1. When Tosaku recommended a holy woman that may cure Yoshitaro.
ReplyDeleteThe healing of Yoshitaro.
When Suejiro enterrupted to save his brother.
The justifying of Suejiro to their parents.
The acceptance of their parents.
2. Yoshitaro is the protagonist in the story and is the madman.
Suejiro is Yoshitaro's intelligent and understanding brother.
Gisuke and Oyoshi are their parents.
Tosako, on the other hand is their neigbor whom recommended the holy woman.
3. I can say that Yoshitaro is very close to Suejiro unlike to their parents who see their son as a diseased person. Though their parents really do love Yoshitaro that is why they asked for help. Suejiro sees very clearly what his brother, Yoshitaro needs.
4. I think the difference between the japanese culture between our culture is that we only believe in our one true and loving God while they believe in numerous gods while the similarity is that they do believe in rituals or albularyo for special treatment to cure certain diseases.
Do you think being intelligent (in the case of Sujeiro) necessary would make one understanding?
DeleteWhat the parents see as solution is the healing of Yoshitaro. Why do you think did they not had him cured when he was younger?
1.The major events in the drama are: First, when Gisuke was calling his son Yoshitaro to get down from the roof but the latter ignored his order and didn’t follow. He even asked his servant Kichiji to bring down his mad son because he might suffer from a sunstroke. This eventually led to Gisuke sharing his thoughts to Kichiji of why Yoshi climbs and goes down the roof, trees or high places with no difficulty, relating his son to a monkey. The second one is when the holy woman from Kompira-San came to cure Yoshitaro, as recommended by their neighbor Tosaku. She becomes allegedly possessed with a spirit which can tell what is happening to Yoshi. She said that a powerful spirit has possessed Yoshitaro and his family needs to hang him up onto a tree and smoke him with green pine needles. If they don’t follow, the spirit will punish them. Next major event is when Yoshitaro’s younger brother, Suejiro arrives and saw what their father and Kichiji were doing with his older brother. He told them to stop what they are doing because the holy woman is only an Impostor and she is not really being possessed by Kompira Daigongen.
ReplyDelete2. Yoshitarô – Yoshi is imaginative and expressive, as proven by his desire to always climb the roof in order to appreciate the beauty of nature from a high place.
Suejirô – He is protective of his older brother and is brave to confront his parents or older people who become unreasonable and claims that is brother is a mad man possessed by a spirit.
Gisuke – He is unreasonable and impatient. Gisuke is unreasonable because for the sake of what other people might say about his son, especially that he is prominent; “He’s a shame to his parents and brother”, he said, he was willing to hurt Yoshitaro- who is his son and is of his own flesh and blood.
Oyoshi – Suejiro and Yoshi’s mother who is calm and unresponsive. She seems very calm because she deals with the events in that manner but when it comes to her sons and husband, she doesn’t side with anyone of them.
Tôsaku – Insensitive, because he immediately called for a holy woman when he has not even confirmed whether Yoshitaro has been possessed by a spirit, or was really sick.
Kichiji – As a servant, he is obedient. He follows what Gisuke says and has been very familiar with the entire family.
Holy Woman – She is persistent, because she demands that the Batsushima family follow what the “spirit” said, which is to hang Yoshitaro on a tree and smoke him with green pin needles.
3.Yoshitaro is close to his younger brother Suejiro, as proven by the latters words, “If I succeed, I mean to build a high, high tower on the summit of Mount Taka-no-Jo and put Brother in it. “ and, “What does an impostor like you know of the love of brothers?” . Suejiro also agrees with his older brother with his thoughts about the things he sees and is very much willing to defend his brother, even from their parents. Meanwhile, Gisuke is very indifferent towards his son Yoshitaro, because he believes he is mad or is out of his mind. He wonders about the unusual things his son does instead of letting him be happy with that he is doing.
4. Based from the Japanese life and culture illustrated in the selection, there are similar aspects between our Filipino life and culture, such as that a family lives in one house, and as that in the brotherhood of Suejiro and Yoshitaro, they have close family ties. Also, in the story, the men or sons in the family are expected to bring pride to the family. In Japan, they also practice having a helper in the house, or in the Philippines, kasambahay or housemates. Our country is also a paternal society which means the father is the head of the family and decision-making. Meanwhile, they are different in a way that the Japanese people have strong belief that the insanity of a person may be caused by possession of a spirit and the people who cure are called holy women.
This is very good and comprehensive input. I have no other questions. Your answers are clear and well said.
Delete