Somehow, I am strongly attracted to Puccini’s opera, 蝶々夫人 (Madama Butterfly).  I have been to many productions, and I cried at all of them.  When experiencing opera, it is important to 意識する (be aware of) whose perspective the story is being told through.  And in this case, it is through the lens of a white male, an American naval officer named Pinkerton.

The officer caught a 繊細で美しい (fragile and beautiful) butterfly. He kept her for himself as if he were pinning her to a board as his property.  In the end, Madama Butterfly 自らの命を断つ (kills herself). I find this tragic but at the same time cathartic.  Ritual suicide is an important theme in Japanese culture, and it represents strength, not weakness.

Is Butterfly a か弱く無力な (weak and helpless) soul?  Through a white male perspective, perhaps yes, but I beg to differ.  You may call us butterflies, but we are strong and powerful butterflies symbolizing transformation, intuition, and wisdom. 

We Japanese women are often depicted as submissive and meek.  This stereotype was perpetuated by the West, but it is a huge 誤解 (misconception).  We don’t advertise ourselves as being independent and strong. We know we are strong, so we don’t see any purpose in announcing that to others.

We may be polite and quiet at first impression, but after a while, you will probably find us assertive and strong willed.  Many Japanese women 財布の紐を握る (control their household finances).  They would give their “salaryman” husbands a monthly お小遣い (spending money for personal use) out of their household bank accounts which they control.

This is not to say that gender inequality does not exist in Japan.  Japan has one of the largest gender wage gaps among OECD countries.  The traditional expectation of being a 良妻賢母 (good wife, wise mother) has resulted in women assuming a disproportionate share of 家事と育児 (housework and childcare) responsibilities.

But don’t let that fool you. We Japanese women hold the power of metamorphosis.  They say the flapping of the wings of a butterfly can be felt on 地球の裏側 (the other side of the world).  So, my fellow butterflies, let us show our inner strength and flap our wings together!