Japanese Mythology in Suzume no Tojimari : Focusing on the Time Embedded in Space and Classics

This study analyzes Makoto Shinkai's animation Suzume no Tojimari (Suzume). The study focuses on critical perspectives related to the Japanese Emperor. The findings reveal that Suzume is influenced by the contextual framework of Japanese mythology, which contributed to the sanctification of the Emperor following the Meiji Restoration. The research first examines the depiction of spaces and the design of characters in Suzume. As a result, I have identified a dichotomy between life and death in the portrayal of space, rooted in Makoto Shinkai's empathetic storytelling. In addition, the study confirms that the spatial and character design in the animation is shaped under the influence of Japanese mythology. Based on these findings, the study demonstrates that the method used to establish the spiritual foundation for deifying the Emperor after the Meiji Restoration is similar to the method employed in Suzume. Furthermore, I discuss how this similarity, grounded in the contextual framework of Japanese mythology, impacts the interpretation of Suzume.