Happiness in Tokyo Story

 What is happiness?

These two old couples are packing up for the most important things in their life to see their children. They haven’t met them for a long time. Maybe in 12 years, they haven’t visited their parents. For the kids, their parents’ visit means they need to make time for them. But for the parents, this trip will be a meaningful trip. If life is a list, this trip will be on that list, and seeing children will be part of the old couple’s ultimate happiness. Seeing their kids can complete their life and their life will be fulfilled and ready to face death.

Even Shukichi and Tomi feel comfortable in their house, but the completeness of life does not makeup only by comfortableness. So, will this trip be the trip of happiness? We know that the first people that complained about this trip are the two sons of Koichi. Everyone in the house has his own place. Kids have study places, placing place and Koichi’s wife usually occupies the kitchen. But when Shukichi and Tomi come, these two kids have to move out. The space can be a metaphor. Human life and energy are limited, the old parents are taking the space of the kids, but also the energy and time of Koichi and Fumiko. Children have the guts to spell it all out, but no one dares to complain. Koichi, Shige, and Sanpei use their avoidance to tell their unwillingness to see their parents. So, this trip is a trip of dislocation. Shukichi and Tomi move out of their houses and move into their children’s houses. But their grandsons need to make space for Shukichi and Tomi’s arrival. But does dislocation relate to happiness?

Yes. Dislocation of a true self gives the appearance of happiness. Every woman knows how to smile, even they are not happy. In the class, we talked about Noriko's smile as a mask. Social etiquette, thanks, smiles, all the things that are the favors that the children give to their parents. Even when the kids show their filial duty by sending their parents to Atami. Shukichi and Tomi’s children use the money to compensate their parents, thinking sending them to Atami will make them happy.

For the parents, their last visit is to show they meet certain goals, such as children having nice jobs and family. But nice jobs/ families are a formality, not real happiness. Being a doctor, having a family are social events. Individuals are performing as characters. Everyone is wearing the mask. Parents do not allow Noriko to be happy alone, even though they wish the best for the kids. They do not see Noriko as an independent woman and are proud of her. They think she is lonely not in happiness. But having a family does not guarantee happiness. Everybody, even Shukichi’s neighbor thinks he is lonely. But these are all appearances, for example, getting married, having kids, and having a decent job. These represent a mask that shows how happy this person is based on this standard. If they lack one of the things on the list, they are considered as those who are not in happiness.

Is there any formula of life or happiness? There is no universal standard for a good life, a woman’s life, or Noriko’s life. The formality of happiness is not true happiness, because it sacrifices the self and other people’s self.

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