A Living God by Lafcadio Hearn

Summary:
From long time the shores of Japan have been swept by enormous tidal waves, earthquakes or
volcano in the sea. Such tidal waves are called as Tsunami by the Japanese. The author is
narrating such a tsunami occurred on the evening of 17th June, 1896. It was 200 miles long
destroying nearly thirty thousand human lives. Hamaguchi and his village was the victim of
that Tsunami. At the time of the occurrence Hamaguchi was an old man and the head of the
village (muraosa), people usually call him grandfather (Ojiisan). He was the richest person of
the community and hence officially called as Choja. His house was located on the high land on
the coast and the village was located on the shore so he can see the village from his house. One
evening his family members went to the village for a festival and he was not feeling well so
stayed back with his 10-year-old grandson Tada. He was looking at the village from his balcony
and suddenly experienced an earthquake but it was normal for them but He felt it in a different
manner it was not usual for him. He thought that it was long and in slow motion came from
underwater far away in the sea. He felt that something unusual was happening. When he saw
at the sea it was darkening and the water is moving backward. The villagers also noticed this
and they ran towards the sea to watch this unusual scene.

Hamaguchi had never experienced such things before and he sensed a tsunami to take place
soon. But he had no time to send the message to the villagers. Generally, the villagers are
informed or warned by the big bell in the temple, but Hamaguchi didn’t have time to inform to
the priest. He called his grandson, Tada to bring a burning torch. And they led to the hundreds
of rice stacks in his field. That rice was the product of his fields and he had invested a lot in it
and had to be transported to the market very soon. Hamaguchi lit all the rice-stacks with the
torch and there was a huge fire which could be seen by the priest. His grandson, Tada was
unable to understand this. Soon the priest rang the big bell of the temple and the villagers
moved back and saw the fire and immediately hurried towards it. Within sort time most of the
villagers reached to the spot. His grandson was crying and told the villagers that his grandfather
had gone mad, he himself set fire to all rice-stacks. Hamaguchi agreed and asked whether all
the villagers had come. The villagers could not understand the intension for his actions. Then
he pointed them towards the sea from where a huge tsunami was approaching.

The whole village was destroyed within fraction of time but all the villagers were safe as they
were on the high ground. Hamaguchi saved life of nearly 400 lives but now he became poor as
he set fire to his whole rice-stacks. Then also he invited his villagers to stay in his house. They
got shifted to his house and the temple. In those days the help was not received quickly and it
took several days for them to recover from the loss. From the time they started admiring
Hamaguchi as a divine person. They declared him a god and thereafter called him Hamaguchi
Daimyojin, the Living God. Even today, his temple stands in the village and the farmers pray
to his spirit for strength and courage.

The story of Hamaguchi is an account of sacrifice, selfless action and presence of mind. It
teaches us that we can save ourselves from calamities through our intelligent actions. The story
is a testament to good deeds and common sense. Hamaguchi speaks to those who do not need
their money to be invested discreetly. It also teaches us that by using our wits, we can protect
ourselves from disasters. Hamaguchi was declared a living God because of his activities, which
earned him the respect of the people.
APPROPRIATENESS OF THE TITLE

The title of the story Living God by Lafcadio Hearn is appropriate because it reflects the main
theme of the story, which is how a man named Hamaguchi Gohei became revered as a living
god by his people for saving them from a devastating tsunami. The story is based on a historical
event that took place in Japan in 1854 and it shows how Hamaguchi's wisdom, courage, and
generosity earned him the respect and gratitude of his community. The title also suggests the
contrast between the Shinto belief in kami, or sacred spirits that manifest in nature and humans,
and the Western concept of God as a transcendent and omnipotent being. The story explores
how Hamaguchi's actions embodied the spirit of Shintoism and how he became a living
example of a kami for his people. Therefore, the title “Living God” is fitting for the story as it
captures the essence of Hamaguchi's character and legacy.

THEMES OF THE STORY

The power of nature and the fragility of human life:

The story depicts the devastating impact of a tsunami, a natural disaster that can strike without
warning and destroy entire communities. The story also shows how humans are vulnerable to
the forces of nature and how they can only survive by being alert and prepared.

The value of wisdom and leadership

The story portrays Hamaguchi as a wise and respected leader who uses his knowledge and
experience to save his people from the tsunami. He observes the signs of nature, such as the
unusual retreat of the sea and the strange behaviour of the animals, and he acts quickly and
decisively to warn his people and guide them to safety¹². He also shows compassion and
generosity by helping the survivors rebuild their lives after the disaster¹².

The influence of culture and religion

The story reflects the Japanese culture and religion of Shintoism, which believes in the
existence of kami, or sacred spirits, in nature and humans. The story also explores
how Hamaguchi's actions earned him the reverence of his people as a living god, or a human
embodiment of a kami¹². The story also contrasts the Shinto worldview with the Western
perspective of God as a transcendent being.

CRITICAL REMARKS ON THE STORY

- The story is a remarkable example of Hearn's ability to blend historical facts, folklore, and
personal observation into a vivid and engaging narrative that introduces the Western reader to
the Japanese culture and religion¹².

- The story is also a testimony of Hearn's admiration and respect for the Japanese people,
especially their resilience, courage, and generosity in the face of natural disasters. Hearn
portrays Hamaguchi as a hero who embodies the best qualities of the Japanese spirit.

PLOT AND SETTINGS OF THE STORY

- The plot is based on a two historical events. The first one being the Ansei Nankai Earthquake
that took place in Japan in 1854, when a massive tsunami hit the coast of Hirogawa,
Wakayama. The story focuses on the heroism of Goryo Hamaguchi, a wealthy and respected
farmer who saved his village from the disaster by observing the signs of nature and lighting
huge fires to signal his people to flee to the hills. He also helped the survivors rebuild their
homes and lives after the catastrophe. He was revered as a living god by his people and by
other villagers who heard of his deeds. The setting is a rural village on the edge of a bay,
surrounded by rice fields and mountains. The story describes the natural beauty and tranquillity
of the place, as well as the simple and harmonious life of the peasants. The story also depicts
the contrast between the calmness of nature before the tsunami and the violence and destruction
that followed. The setting also reflects the Japanese culture and religion of Shintoism, which
believes in the presence of sacred spirits in nature and humans.

The second historical event is “The Japanese Tsunami” of 1896, also known as the Meiji
Sanriku earthquake, was a devastating earthquake and tsunami that occurred on June 15, 1896,
in the Sanriku region of north-eastern Japan. The earthquake had a magnitude of 8.5 on the
Richter scale and is considered one of the most powerful earthquakes ever recorded in Japan.
The earthquake triggered a massive tsunami that struck the coast of Sanriku, a region known
for its vulnerability to tsunamis due to the steep underwater terrain offshore. The tsunami waves
were reported to have reached heights of up to 38 meters (125 feet) in some places, sweeping
away entire villages and causing widespread destruction and loss of life. The disaster claimed
the lives of more than 22,000 people, making it one of the deadliest earthquakes and tsunamis
in recorded history. The devastation was so extensive that it took years for the affected
communities to fully recover.

ROLE OF WOMEN IN THE STORY

- Women are portrayed as passive and dependent characters in the story. They follow the orders
of the men and rely on them for protection and guidance. They do not have any significant
influence or agency in the events of the story. Women are also portrayed as faithful and loyal
characters in the story. They respect and honour Hamaguchi as a living god and offer him
prayers and gifts. They also support and comfort their husbands and sons who work for
Hamaguchi.

MODEL QUESTIONS AS PER ISC FORMAT

- Question: What is the title of the story and who is the author? Give a brief introduction of the
author and his works.

Answer: The title of the story is Living God and the author is Lafcadio Hearn also known
by his Japanese name Koizumi Yakumo. He was a multilingual writer, translator, and journalist
who was born on the Greek island of Levkas in 1850. He worked as a journalist in the United
States and then moved to Japan in 1890, where he became a professor of English literature and
a Japanese citizen. He wrote many books and articles about the Japanese culture, religion,
and literature, such as**Exotics and Retrospectives**, **In Ghostly Japan**,
**Shadowings**, **A Japanese Miscellany**, and **Kwaidan**. He died in Tokyo in 1904.

- Question: What historical event is the story based on? When and where did it take place?
How did Hamaguchi save his people from the disaster?

Answer: The story is based on a historical event that took place in Japan in 1854, when a
massive tsunami hit the coast of Hirogawa, Wakayama. The story focuses on the heroism of
Goryo Hamaguchi, a wealthy and respected farmer who saved his village from the disaster by
observing the signs of nature and lighting huge fires to signal his people to flee to the hills. He
also helped the survivors rebuild their homes and lives after the catastrophe.

- Question: What are some of the themes of the story? How are they related to the Japanese
culture and religion?

- The power of nature and the fragility of human life: The story depicts the devastating impact
of a tsunami, a natural disaster that can strike without warning and destroy entire communities.
The story also shows how humans are vulnerable to the forces of nature and how they can only
survive by being alert and prepared.

- The value of wisdom and leadership: The story portrays Hamaguchi as a wise and respected
leader who uses his knowledge and experience to save his people from the tsunami. He
observes the signs of nature, such as the unusual retreat of the sea and the strange behaviour
of the animals, and he acts quickly and decisively to warn his people and guide them to safety.
He also shows compassion and generosity by helping the survivors rebuild their lives after the
disaster.

- The influence of culture and religion: The story reflects the Japanese culture and religion of
Shintoism, which believes in the existence of kami, or sacred spirits, in nature and humans.
The story also explores how Hamaguchi's actions earned him the reverence of his people as a
living god, or a human embodiment of a kami.

These themes are related to the Japanese culture and religion because they show how rice
cultivation, natural disasters, Shinto rituals, and ancestral worship are integral parts of the
Japanese way of life.

- Question: What are some of the symbols used in the story? Explain their significance and
how they enhance the meaning of the story.

- Rice: Rice is a symbol of life and prosperity in Japanese culture. It is considered as a gift from
the gods and a source of nourishment and happiness. Rice is also associated with creation
and fertility, as well as blessing and joy. Hamaguchi's act of burning his rice is a symbol of
warning and salvation, as well as purification and transformation.

- Fire: Fire is a symbol of warning and salvation, as well as purification and transformation in
the story. Hamaguchi uses fire to alert his people of the impending tsunami and to guide
them to safety. He sets fire to his rice stacks, sacrificing his wealth and livelihood for the sake
of his community. The fire becomes beacon of hope and a sign of his heroism. The fire also
transforms him from a mere mortal into a living god, a human embodiment of a sacred spirit.
His people worship him and honour him with prayers and offerings.

- Sea: Sea is a symbol of mystery and horror in the story. Hearn uses sea to create a contrast
between the calmness and violence of nature, between the warmth of fire and coldness of water,
between joyous festival celebration and terror-stricken disaster. He also uses sea to evoke awe
and dread when he describes phosphorescence phenomenon that makes it look like “the sea
was on fire”. These symbols enhance meaning by adding layers of interpretation to events and
characters in the story. They also help create mood and atmosphere and convey themes
and messages.
 - Question: How does Hearn portray Hamaguchi as a living god? What are some of the qualities
and actions that earn him the respect and reverence of his people?

Answer: Hearn portrays Hamaguchi as a living god by showing his wisdom, courage,
generosity, and compassion. Some of the qualities and actions that earn him the respect and
reverence of his people are:

- His wisdom: He is able to read the signs of nature and predict the coming of the tsunami. He
also knows how to use fire as a means of warning and salvation. He is a respected leader and
adviser who helps his people with their interests and disputes.

- His courage: He is not afraid to face the danger and risk his life for the sake of his people. He
acts quickly and decisively to save his village from the disaster. He also confronts the
authorities who try to take away his land and rights.

- His generosity: He sacrifices his wealth and livelihood by burning his rice stacks. He also
spends his own money to build a protective wall and to help the survivors rebuild their homes
and lives. He does not seek any reward or recognition for his deeds.

- His compassion: He shows kindness and sympathy to the victims of the tsunami. He also
cares for his family, especially his grandson, who is his heir and companion.

- Question: How does Hearn create a contrast between the calmness and violence of nature in
the story? How does he use descriptive language and imagery to depict the setting and the mood
of the story?
Answer: Hearn creates a contrast between the calmness and violence of nature in the story by
using descriptive language and imagery that appeal to the senses. He uses words and phrases
such as "tranquil", "peaceful", "beautiful", "harmonious”, “green", "bright", "warm", "merry"
to describe the setting and mood before the tsunami. He also uses words and phrases such as
"terrible", "awful", "horrible”, “fearful", "dark", "cold", "violent", "destructive" to describe the
setting and mood after the tsunami. He also uses similes, metaphors, personification, and
hyperbole to create vivid images of nature's calmness and violence. For example, he compares
the sea to a mirror, a monster, a dragon, a wall, etc. He also gives human qualities to nature,
such as smiling, roaring, leaping, etc. He also exaggerates some aspects of nature, such as
saying that the sea was on fire, or that the wave was higher than mountain.

- Question: What is your opinion of the story? Do you find it interesting and engaging? Why
or why not?
Answer: My opinion of the story is that it is interesting and engaging because it tells true story
of heroism and survival in the face of a natural disaster. It also introduces me to the Japanese
culture and religion, which I find fascinating and informative. I like how Hearn uses symbols,
themes, and language to convey his message and create an impact on the reader. I also admire
Hamaguchi's character and actions, which inspire me to be wiser, courageous, generous, and
compassionate.
1. Hamaguchi proves to be a man who is courageous as well as selfless. Discuss.
2. How does Hamaguchi prove to be a living god?
3. How is the Western idea of soul different from that of the Japanese concept?
4. What is the background of the story A Living God?
5. Describe the setting of the story.