The Correlation Between Literature, Drama and Film: A Discussion of ‘A Wife in Musashino’

Abstract

The aim of this article is to demonstrate the close correlation between O?oka Shoheis A Wife in Musashino, published in 1950 and its adaptations. This correlation between A Wife in Musashino and its adaptations allows us to find that the original text does not merely influence its adaptations, but also that their relations have interacting factors. This paper addresses Fukuda Tsunearis drama adaptation, staged in 1951 and Mizoguchi Kenjis film adaptation, released in 1951.

In an attempt to examine the correlation, this paper compares the original novel with its adaptations. The comparative analysis discusses the following points. First, I examine the commonalities and differences of the ending between Fukudas drama, Mizoguchis film, and O?okas novel by examining how the ending of O?okas novel is transformed by Fukuda and Mizoguchi. Second, I examine the commonalities and differences of Michikos suicide by focusing on the accidental factors. O?oka and Fukuda commented on the accidental factors in their novel and drama respectively. By looking at these comments more closely, I analyze the intertextuality between O?oka and Fukuda. This paper shows that the correlation between A Wife in Musashino and its adaptations provides us with diverse ways to interpret and create.

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