In Japanese popular culture, particularly within dorama (TV dramas), films, and manga, the mother-in-law (Japanese: shūtome ; colloquially referred to in some Southeast Asian contexts as mertua ) serves as a potent archetype. While “mertua” is an Indonesian/Malay term, its application in analyzing Japanese narratives highlights a cross-cultural archetype: the matriarchal obstacle. This paper explores how the mother-in-law figure functions not merely as a secondary character but as a crucial narrative engine in Japanese romantic storylines. Through tropes of interference, emotional incest, and the preservation of ie (family system) traditions, these storylines reflect deep-seated societal tensions regarding filial piety, female rivalry, and the evolution of the modern Japanese marriage.
: A frequent theme where a bride from a different social or geographical background (e.g., a modern Tokyo career woman) marries into a traditional family (e.g., owners of a historic inn) and is initially rejected as an outsider. The Traditional Gauntlet
: Compares dramas like Restarting Life to Chinese counterparts, noting that Japanese media is increasingly showing "post-affective" friendships and a move away from institutionalized marriage to avoid traditional family burdens. Key Themes in the Research
bukanlah sekadar tagline untuk film horor keluarga. Ini adalah studi tentang bagaimana tradisi dan modernitas berperang di ruang tamu yang sama. Dan dalam setiap romantic storyline yang hebat, yang menang sebenarnya adalah kompromi yang tidak sempurna – sebuah pelukan canggung di stasiun kereta sebelum mertua naik shinkansen pulang ke kampung halamannya.
In Japanese popular culture, particularly within dorama (TV dramas), films, and manga, the mother-in-law (Japanese: shūtome ; colloquially referred to in some Southeast Asian contexts as mertua ) serves as a potent archetype. While “mertua” is an Indonesian/Malay term, its application in analyzing Japanese narratives highlights a cross-cultural archetype: the matriarchal obstacle. This paper explores how the mother-in-law figure functions not merely as a secondary character but as a crucial narrative engine in Japanese romantic storylines. Through tropes of interference, emotional incest, and the preservation of ie (family system) traditions, these storylines reflect deep-seated societal tensions regarding filial piety, female rivalry, and the evolution of the modern Japanese marriage.
: A frequent theme where a bride from a different social or geographical background (e.g., a modern Tokyo career woman) marries into a traditional family (e.g., owners of a historic inn) and is initially rejected as an outsider. The Traditional Gauntlet
: Compares dramas like Restarting Life to Chinese counterparts, noting that Japanese media is increasingly showing "post-affective" friendships and a move away from institutionalized marriage to avoid traditional family burdens. Key Themes in the Research
bukanlah sekadar tagline untuk film horor keluarga. Ini adalah studi tentang bagaimana tradisi dan modernitas berperang di ruang tamu yang sama. Dan dalam setiap romantic storyline yang hebat, yang menang sebenarnya adalah kompromi yang tidak sempurna – sebuah pelukan canggung di stasiun kereta sebelum mertua naik shinkansen pulang ke kampung halamannya.
Cedido por: Paulo de Deus
Cedido por: Paulo de Deus