TRANSFORMATION OF FEMALE REPRESENTATION IN KONJAKU MONOGATARISHŪ (VOLUME 28, TALE 1): FOCUSING ON MALE PERSPECTIVE AND DIFFERENCES IN PERCEPTION

Abstract

 This paper examines the first tale of volume 28 of Konjaku Monogatarishū, “近衛舎人共稲荷詣重方値女語” focusing on how the image of a woman is differently represented when she is perceived as a “wife” and when she is perceived as an “unknown beautiful woman.” In particular, the study analyzes concrete narrative descriptions such as clothing, actions, and lexical expressions, and investigates how female imagery is constructed through a male perspective. The analysis reveals that the image of the woman is not fixed; rather, it is shaped by male perception and can be represented either as an idealized aesthetic figure or as a negative image depending on the way she is perceived.