The Motif of Trustfulness

Explores the theme of trust as a double-edged sword through the characters of Yoshiko and Yozo, culminating in the question 'Is trustfulness a sin?'

increasingBearing stren­gth in each eventdecreasing

Yoshiko's Genius of Trust

The Waterfall of Purity The Absolute Trust Yoshiko believed everything Yozo said. She never suspected his lies or his past. Yozo saw her trust as a clean, pure waterfall. The Fear of Betrayal Yozo was terrified by her trust. He felt that he was deceiving her, and that his clowning was a barrier. He wanted to protect her, but he also wanted to escape. The Vulnerability Her trust made her vulnerable. Yozo knew that her innocence was a danger, but he could not warn her without breaking the spell.

The Violation of Trust

The Defilement The Event Yoshiko was violated by the shopkeeper because she trusted him. She did not suspect his intentions. Yozo watched from the stairs, paralyzed. The Deeper Wound Yozo felt that the defilement of her trust was worse than the physical act. He began to question: "Is trustfulness a sin?" The Unforgivable He could not forgive himself for failing to protect her trust. He also could not forgive her for being too trusting.

The Loss of Trust

The Shattered Virtue Yoshiko's Change Yoshiko began to tremble and speak with excessive honorifics. She could no longer trust Yozo, and Yozo could no longer trust her. The marriage became a living hell. The Doubt Yozo began to suspect that Yoshiko might have been unfaithful with others. He had no courage to question her, and his doubts grew. The End of Innocence Yoshiko's trust was destroyed, and with it, the only virtue Yozo had depended on. He lost all comprehension of the world.

Yozo's Own Trust

The Inability to Trust The Childhood Trauma Yozo never learned to trust anyone. His abuse by servants and his father's distance made him wary. He could only trust through his clowning, which was a lie. The Moments of Trust He trusted Tsuneko, and she died. He trusted Horiki, and was betrayed. He trusted Yoshiko, and was destroyed. The Conclusion Yozo's final question to God is "Is trustfulness a sin?" His life suggests that trust leads to pain, but the absence of trust is also a form of death.

early marriage

the summer night

after the violation, the following months

throughout his life