Atsumori Reflection Essay

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The Importance of Forgiveness Atsumori and Kumagai were both soldiers fighting for their people. They were born enemies even though neither had met each other, simply because of the community in which they were raised. Atsumori is a pacifist by heart but he is forced to rival Kumagai. Eventually this conflict must reach its climax and Kumagai removes the head of Atsumori in battle. But it is not this resolution of climax that is the focus of Atsumori, but rather the growth and transformation of Atsumori and Kumagai that is the center of Zeami Motokiyo’s piece. The reconciliation and transformation of enemies in order to reach peace is one of the main ideals of Atsumori. We assume Atsumori and Kumagai are enemies from the start. This is revealed to be not so as we uncover the hidden identity of the grass cutter. Atsumori has a very peaceful entrance and does not start by confronting Kumagai at all. In fact, Kumagai consoles in the disguised Atsumori. Kumagai reveals that he wishes to repent for his sins done to an innocent boy. Kumagai is no longer a soldier. Instead, he has become a monk. Therefore, he lives the role of a pacifist every day, in every aspect of his life. Kumagai has rejected his past mistakes, and even his past name, in hopes to start a new life. What makes the story of Atsumori so remarkable is how the relationship between Atsumori and Kumagai finally ends. Atsumori decided that Kumagai is not his enemy. Kumagai has repented for his actions and no longer accepts his old way of life. Instead of Kumagai being the one freed, however, Atsumori is now the one who may be at peace. In an unexpected resolution, it is Atsumori that asks Kumagai for forgiveness, so Atsumori may live on. Atsumori teaches about the importance of ending problems in one’s life not through vengeance but through closure. Atsumori is burdened by the
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