Amores de un vividor de Ihara Saikaku

Review of the book “Loves of a Liver” by Ihara Saikaku

“Loves of a Liver” is a Japanese novel written by Ihara Saikaku and first published in 1682. The work is considered one of the most important works of Japanese literature of the Edo period, and is an example of the humorous and erotic narrative that It became popular at the time.

“Loves of a Liver” by Ihara Saikaku, a great picaresque novel from 17th century Japanese literature. The protagonist of this work is Yonosuke, a rich and libertine bourgeois who is dedicated to enjoying life and love with an insatiable passion. Throughout his adventures, Yonosuke interacts with more than 3,700 women and 700 men of all types and conditions, from courtesans and samurai to monks and peasants. His philosophy is that of good living and good love, without caring about social norms or the consequences of his actions.

The book is divided into 54 chapters that narrate significant episodes in Yonosuke’s life, from his childhood to his old age. Each chapter has a title that summarizes the content, such as “First Love”, “The Woman Who Became a Ghost”, “The Man Who Fell in Love with a Statue” or “The Island of Women”. Saikaku’s style is agile and fun, full of humor and irony. The author uses colloquial and popular language, with numerous references to the culture and history of Japan. He also uses literary devices such as allusion, metaphor, hyperbole or contrast.

“Loves of a Liver” is a work that reflects the spirit of its time, the Edo period (1603-1868), when Japan was closed to the outside world and the great commercial cities were consolidated. In this context, a new social class emerged, the bourgeoisie, which sought pleasure and entertainment in leisure neighborhoods. Likewise, an urban and cosmopolitan culture developed, which was expressed in various artistic forms such as kabuki theater, ukiyo-e or the picaresque novel.

The novel tells the story of Yonosuke, a freewheeler who lives in the pleasure district of Edo and spends all his money on women and entertainment. Throughout the novel, Yonosuke falls in love with several women and faces the consequences of his reckless and hedonistic lifestyle.

Saikaku’s prose is witty and funny, and the novel is full of witty dialogue and comic situations. The narrative is also highly erotic, and Saikaku describes in detail the sexual relationships between Yonosuke and the women she meets along the way.

In addition to its humor and eroticism, “Loves of a Liver” is also a social critique of Japanese society at the time. The novel shows how men can be trapped by their own desire and how women are often treated as sexual objects. At the same time, the novel is also an exploration of human nature and the struggle to find happiness in a world that often values ​​financial and social success over personal happiness.

“Loves of a Liver” is a masterpiece of Japanese literature, offering us an original and fascinating vision of love and sexuality in feudal Japan. It is also a hymn to individual freedom and the self-determination of women, which challenges the social and moral conventions of its time. It is a book that deserves to be read and enjoyed by all lovers of good literature.

In short, “Loves of a Liver” is a witty and fun novel that offers a fascinating insight into Japanese life and society in the Edo period. Saikaku’s witty prose and explicit eroticism make the novel an exciting and entertaining read, while social criticism and exploration of human nature make the novel also a deep and enriching reflection. I highly recommend this work to anyone interested in Japanese literature or the exploration of human nature.