Metaphorical Voices ：Abe Kōbō and Terayama Shūji’s Boxing Allegories in Post-War Japan

This paper examines how Abe Kōbō and Terayama Shūji, critical figures in post-war Japanese avant-garde literature, utilise boxing as a metaphorical framework in their works <i>The Cliff of Time</i> and <i>Aa</i>, <i>Kōya</i>. Amidst Japan’s rapid modernisation and societal upheaval following World War II, both authors employ boxing as a sport and a symbolic medium to explore human experience and identity complexities. The study delves into how they address themes such as the struggle for authentic self-expression, the challenges of communication in an era dominated by mass media, and the existential crises arising from the erosion of traditional values. By incorporating dialogic and intertextual techniques influenced by Western literary figures like Jack London and Bertolt Brecht, Abe and Terayama challenge societal norms and contribute to the subversive potential of avant-garde literature. Through a comparative analysis, the paper highlights how their innovative narratives reflect and reshape the socio-cultural landscape of post-war Japan, offering profound insights into the individual’s quest for genuine connection and identity amid transformative societal changes.