How do it and other Miyazaki films address the humanity/nature divide, according to Wright (2005)? Could Miyazaki’s vision be described as in some sense religious (inasmuch as it conveys a sense of the
sacred)?
Interestingly enough, after having a little read through the critical reader I came across a quote from Hayao Miyazaki that i find rather fitting.
"I'm hoping i'll live another 30 years. I want to see the sea rise over Toyko, and the NTV tower become an island... Money and desire - all that is going to collapse and wild green grasses are going to take over." - Miyazaki. This quote shows us his feelings towards humanity and nature, and this viewpoint becomes apparent after watching some of his productions.
According to Wright (2005) Miyazaki's works often depict a time of nostalgia when humans lived more at one with nature. In many of his productions this can to a point be taken in a more religious or sacred sense.
For example the presence of spiritual forces, and Japanese mythology has been embedded into many of his works. In Princess Mononoke when the humans declared war on the Wild Gods, this was clearly Miyazaki's depiction of what was happening in the modern day, and is clearly addressing the divide between humanity and nature. Miyazaki is making a statement. His films are filled with spiritual and symbolic moments, many of which can be taken as having religious messages behind them also.
Reference List:
Wright, L. (2005). Nature spirits, Giant insects and World trees: The nature vision of Hayao Miyazaki. In the Journal of Religion of popular culture. Volume X. Summer 2005.
Your answer is quite interesting, especially that part with the quote mentioning Hayao Miyazaki's quote about the sea rising over Tokyo. I liked it because it created this image in my mind of that scene from Princess Mononoke towards the end when the forest spirit supposedly dies and destroys part of that steel factory / town with it, then grass and other plants grow all around it replacing what was there.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read :-)
ReplyDeletegood work!
I also think Miyazaki believes that the humans and the world of nature once lived in harmony, but due to the improved lives of the humans the bond has disappeared. This is explained by his films. His films portray the relationship between humanity and nature. I think he gave two important messages that he emphasizes in his movies; the respect of the spirit, and the love of the nature. I think he believes that the Spirits of the past ones still live among people. what do you think about it?
Good read dude, you make a sound argument. Did you find any other material of his that this kinda things happened in? Judging by his quote i think all his work will feature quite a lot of these themes.His love/respect for nature is clear. The idea of how sacred nature is was always in the back of my mind during the viewing.
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