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The two most important factors of a work of fiction are characters and plot. Fushigi Yuugi finds success on both points with complex characters (that are often analyzed by fans via derivative works) and a flowing episodic plot. Miaka and her Suzaku seishi,[1] and Yui and her Seiryuu seishi all go through many events that seem to occur by fate. But is this really the case? Is fate really all-powerful or is there a more human connection?
Fate has been a significant theme in literature from the Greek tragedies to modern day works. As such, the significance of fate should be noted. In Fushigi Yuugi, fate plays a role in the delineation of the plot, but is not the key factor. Instead, many of the events occur as the result of Nakago's actions. This paper will attempt to illustrate that Nakago is the driving force of Fushigi Yuugi by a number of techniques. These will include a very brief study of Watase's use of the concept of fate, examining Nakago's role in the major plot events and examining the effects of these major plot events.
The idea of fate is represented through the object of the Shintenshisho (Book of the Four Gods), as it is this object that is directly linked to instances where fate prevails. For the most part, fate appears to be indeterminate; however, it would be erroneous to claim that fate is a non-factor. In the world of Fushigi Yuugi, fate is partially fixed although the free will of the characters involved appears to control the events that occur. Thus, the role of fate in Fushigi Yuugi is in direct contrast to such works as Oedipus Rex by Sophocles and X by CLAMP. The only point of similarity between Fushigi Yuugi and the two works mentioned above is that in all of the works, a character is born to a particular fate. In Fushigi Yuugi, this takes the form of the various seishi being born seishi.
In Fushigi Yuugi, there are only two sets of events in which it can be reasonably argued that fate is a major factor. Firstly, there is the initial drawing of the miko into the Shintenshisho. Both in the action preceding and in the present situation, all four of the miko are led to the book and are then drawn into the story. There is a lack of free will on the parts of the characters involved, as they did not initially choose to enter the alternate world. Instead, they were drawn into it by another power; it seems as if the characters are fated to come across the book and play a role in the story. It should be noted here that it is of yet unclear whether the four girls who serve as miko are specifically targeted or whether they just happened to be convenient.
The second event that seems mostly influenced by fate is Yui's later return to the book world and the band of street toughs' attack on her. Like the first event, there seems to be little evidence of characters influencing the events. Both sets of events can be classified as "deus ex machina", or by the manipulating of the gods (rather Watase in this case). Every other event that takes place in Fushigi Yuugi seems to follow previous events in a logical fashion and occur as a result of the actions of the characters.
In spite of the apparent importance of fate, Nakago's influence can be linked to the two events above, the first one much more than the second one. The emergence of the miko and the seishi are linked to a 100-year cycle. However, for Fushigi Yuugi, this is not the case; both the Suzaku and Seiryuu miko appear at the same time, which contravenes the cycle. It seems likely that the cycle was perhaps interfered with by the threat of eminent war between Konan and Kutou. Nakago directly influences the existence of looming war in his role as the Kutou generalissimo, or leader of the Kutou army. It is unclear, however, whether the cycle is affected as there is no direct evidence; the only evidence available is indirect. Hence, a definitive statement cannot and should not be made.
Nakago may also be indirectly connected to Yui's situation. It is difficult to reasonably argue that Nakago is directly connected to Yui's return to the Shintenshisho; one would have to use an argument similar to the one above. However, Nakago does rescue Yui from the street toughs who are attempting to sexually assault her. It should be conceded that it is very easy to argue that fate placed Nakago in the right place at the right time; there is no evidence to disprove this theory. However, Nakago chooses to help Yui. It is probable that Nakago recognized Yui as being foreign and possibly made the connection that she could be a miko. After all, Nakago is quite calculating and intelligent.
One of the largest conflicts in the story is the growing schism between Yui and Miaka. This split, between the two, helps fuel the conflict between the Suzaku and Seiryuu sides; both want to beat the other leading to tragic results as discussed in "Tragedy in Fushigi Yuugi."[2] Thoughts of being abandoned by Miaka are put into Yui's mind by Nakago which helps to widen the gulf between the two girls. Nakago's influence on Yui is very effective although it is Yui who makes the final call in the end. This split is very much furthered and encouraged by Nakago since without the conflict between the two girls, it seems dubious whether Yui would help the Seiryuu side; Yui, in the action preceding, is very close to Miaka. Yui's new found hatred for Miaka causes Yui to become "Seiryuu no miko" and also leads to internal conflict within Yui.
One of the significant moments, story wise, in Fushigi Yuugi occurs with the failed Suzaku summoning. As a result of Amiboshi portraying Chiriko, Miaka is unable to call forth Suzaku. In the process, the Konan copy of the Shintenchisho is destroyed. Nakago is directly involved in this incident; Amiboshi interferes with the summoning under Nakago's orders. The major effect of this event is that Kutou gains the upper hand; Kutou can still summon their god unlike Konan. This makes up for the apparent lack of success of finding seishi by the Seiryuu side.
The next significant event that Nakago influences is the systematic murder of Tamahome's family. Suboshi, under Nakago's order commits the crime. The motive behind this action seems to be an attempt to phase Miaka's de facto guardian Tamahome before the quest for the Shinzaho begins. It works quite well; Tamahome shows great anger towards Miaka for the first time in the story. Also as a side effect of the murders, Tamahome's chi level increases a level. Finally, and more interestingly, this attack also raises the stakes of the game; reconciliation between the two sides is now utterly impossible.
The entire existence of the "race for the Shinzaho" is due to Nakago. Seeing that he is losing the "quest for the seishi," in spite of the repeated Seiryuu hindrances that he makes Miaka et al. face, Nakago sabotages the Suzaku effort and in effect restarts the game with both sides being equal. During this race for the Shinzaho, Nakago greatly affects the lives of the Suzaku seishi. Essentially every event that the Suzaku group faces is a result of Nakago's actions or those beneath him. Interestingly enough, Nakago does not really ever take the lead in this race except for at the finish; however, it is the first person to cross the finish line who wins.
Nuriko's death is the first major incident that occurs in the race for the Shinzaho. In order to try and find the first Shinzaho, the Seiryuu side monitors where Miaka et al. are looking and follow them to the location. During this period, Ashitare confronts Nuriko and is driven back. Later on, Ashitare gets his revenge by killing Nuriko. As Nakago directly controls Ashitare, it follows that Nakago is indirectly responsible for this event. The effects are significant. Firstly, it allows for Hotohori to marry Houki[3] (by removing any possible hindrances in Hotohori's mind) which provides Konan a successor and restores stability to the country. As well, the Suzaku seishi all become closer to each other; this is analyzed further elsewhere.[4]
The deaths of the seishi, from both the Suzaku and Seiryuu sides, are obviously connected to Nakago. Under his orders, Ashitare, Tomo and Miboshi die in the quest for the Shinzaho proper. During the fighting, Chiriko also dies in order to save Miaka and the Suzaku seishi guarding her. These deaths are quite significant in the plot delineation, as death is one of the most significant events that can possibly happen. In addition, the deaths indirectly show the horror of fighting and also, show the devotion of the seishi to their cause.[5]
During the search for the second Shinzaho, Miaka is nearly sexually assaulted twice. The first time, Nakago himself is the aggressor while the second time involves Tomo disguised as Tamahome (in the shin illusion). The reasons behind these assaults seem fairly clear. Firstly, if Miaka is no longer virginal, she cannot summon Suzaku and it's a foregone conclusion as to who wins. Secondly, these actions would definitely infuriate Tamahome; Nakago seems to take pleasure in goading Tamahome. Miaka's reaction to these incidents is isolating herself from Tamahome. This reaction also benefits the Seiryuu side since splits among the Suzaku members weaken the side as a whole.
The events set in motion by Nakago are such that war is the only option. There will be a winner and loser; ties are impossible. The keystone event is the summoning of Seiryuu, which itself is the result of the Seiryuu side exploiting the work of the Suzaku seishi in finding the second Shinzaho. With Yui's first wish, she seals Suzaku. War is eminent due to Nakago's desire to win and his ethos which is Machiavellian; the ends justify the means. Nakago's philosophy is to kill the enemy when they are down; hence war. Another very significant reason behind the outbreak of war is Nakago's desire for revenge on the Kutou emperor that drives the plot of Fushigi Yuugi. This fact is revealed at the end of the war.
With her second wish, Yui effectively opens up the passage between the real world and the Shintenchisho. As a result of this, Tamahome is sent into the real world, which further complicates the situation, as the real world becomes a part of the story. It is in the real world that Suboshi and Tamahome fight; this fight is due to Nakago's earlier order for Suboshi to kill Tamahome's family. Suboshi's death results again traceable to Nakago.
In the tail end of the Konan/Kutou war, demonstrated earlier to be attributable to Nakago, several more seishi die. Soi and Mitsukake's deaths are indirectly attributable to Nakago because they die while fighting the war of Nakago's manufacture. Hotohori's death though is directly due to Nakago as it is Nakago who runs Hotohori through with his sword. Again, these deaths show the brutality of war.
The final confrontation in the real world is again due to Nakago. Nakago enters the real world, in order to get Yui's final wish, so he can find a place of his own. A massive fight ensues and Nakago winds up with Tamahome's fist in his chest; Nakago's death is Nakago's own fault as well.
In conclusion, it is clear that Nakago can be directly or indirectly connected to the events in Fushigi Yuugi. It is his manipulating that drives the plot and all of the seishi are merely players in his plans. Nakago's role as the manipulator, perhaps classifiable as the Jungian archetype of the Trickster, might explain the title. Fushigi Yuugi, can be translated as "mysterious game"; everything that occurs, the deaths and bloodshed are all part of Nakago's game of calculated revenge.[6]
[1] This contraction of shichiseishi will be
used throughout.
[2] Congly, S.E. (2000). "Tragedy in Fushigi
Yuugi." <http://congly.freeservers.com/anime/fy/tragedyfy.htm>
[3] Further discussion may be found in "Love
in Fushigi Yuugi". <http://congly.freeservers.com/anime/fy/tragedyfy.htm>
[4] "Tragedy FY"
[5] This is seen stronger in the Suzaku side.
Detailed analysis is found in "Tragedy FY"
[6] Wandering Mage Chichiri. "Re: [FYML]
Question on the gods...". E-mail to fyml@fushigiyuugi.com. 22
June 2000.
Comments on this paper are solicited. They may be sent by
e-mailing the comments to
scongly@softhome.net
Copyright ©2000-1
Stephen Congly
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