📚【Kirikirijin (Hisashi Inoue)】An Adventure of Thought Traveling Through Books | Heart-Resonating Book Review Part 4

An Adventure of Thought Traveling Through Books | Heart-Resonating Book Review

Thinking about the "nation" from the regions. The hilarious and thrilling independence revolution depicted in Hisashi Inoue's "Kirikirijin"

A novel that "speaks out" to this country right now.

It has been a long time since the term "regional revitalization" was last heard.
Discussions on the regional system have also faded away.
Young people are flowing into the cities, and the landscapes of the regions are quietly aging.

Amidst such a sense of stagnation, a single village decides to "declare independence."

Even though it was written over 40 years ago,
it is a book that should be read now—that is Hisashi Inoue's masterpiece "Kirikirijin".

📘 Basic Book Information

• Title: "Kirikirijin (Volumes 1, 2, and 3)"

• Author: Hisashi Inoue

• Publication Year: 1981

• Genre: Political Satire / Historical Parody / Social Criticism

• Page Count: Approximately 1,500 pages (total for 3 volumes)

• Recommended Readers:

  • Those interested in the future of the regions

  • Those who feel doubts or frustrations about politics and systems

  • Book lovers who want to think deeply while laughing

  • Students who want to see society from a different angle

🗾 Story Overview: The "Kirikiri Nation" declares independence from Japan!?

The story begins with a reporting trip to the Tohoku region.
Third-rate writer Kenji Furuhashi and editor Hisao Sato visit the remote village of "Kirikiri" in pursuit of a legend of gold.
What they encountered there was the "Kirikiri Nation," which had already declared its independence from Japan.

• The currency is their own "Yen" 💰

• The language is "Kirikiri-go" (= Tohoku dialect) 🗣️

• A "perfect nation" equipped with separation of powers, a gold standard, and a self-sufficient system 🏛️

• Armed with international law, it even has the thoroughness to block the invasion of the Self-Defense Forces = military 🔥

The independence drama is full of laughter and satire, but its framework is terrifyingly authentic. It is like a fusion of a utopian novel and social science.

💡 The "realizations" and "awakenings" this book gave me

■ Questioning what a "nation" is from the ground up

The author, who read this in college, first became interested in mechanisms like
the gold standard, international law, and the separation of powers here.

The ingenuity of the institutional design to survive even if separated from Japan. It is truly a "blueprint for a nation" disguised as a novel.

■ The "language of resistance" that is the Tohoku dialect

The "Kirikiri-go (Zuzu-ben)" used in the work is not just a dialect.
It is a resistance against the "language of domination" known as standard Japanese.
Hisashi Inoue's love for the Tohoku region where he grew up and his dissent against the center are embedded here.

■ Satire on the distorted "Theory of Remodeling the Japanese Archipelago"

Mr. Inoue, who felt uncomfortable with the politics of "abandoning the regions" by the center during the era of rapid economic growth. The independence of the Kirikiri nation is also

a thrilling counter-argument that speaks for the voiceless voices of the regions.

🌱 There is a good reason to read it now.

🏡 Where did regional revitalization go?

• Aging population and population outflow in rural areas

• Stalled discussions on the regional system

• The endless concentration of everything in Tokyo

"Kirikirijin" asks such a Japan: "
Don't you need the resolve to create your own 'nation' in order for the regions to change?" with.

🛡️ Protecting a nation is not just about the military

The Kirikiri nation is self-sufficient in food, energy, medical care, and education. It is another form of ideal that has thought through
“regional security for people to live like human beings”.

👥 Recommended for people like this!

• Young people aiming to become local government officials or local assembly members

• Students studying sociology, political science, and history

• People who have left their hometowns but want to return someday

• Everyone who holds small anxieties and great expectations for the future of Japan

📚 If this book strikes a chord, you should read these too!

• 1️⃣ "International Law [2nd Edition]" (Dai Tamada, Tomonori Mizushima, Takuhei Yamada): An easy-to-understand introductory book for students of international law

• 2️⃣"Japan's Local Governments: The Reality and Challenges of 1,700 Municipalities" (Kengo Soga): An introductory book to understand the reality of local government systems

• 3️⃣"The Dignity of a Nation" (Masahiko Fujiwara): A proposal on the concept of "dignity" that shapes a country

✨ Summary: Is this village a "dream," or is it a "warning"?

"Kirikirijin" is a theory of the state wearing the mask of fiction.
It is a mirror of reality that, while funny, quietly pierces you once you finish reading it.

"Is Japan really okay as it is?"
For those who have suddenly had that question pop into their minds,
this is a masterpiece you should read right now.

To you who want to believe in the power of local regions.
This book will surely give you a new perspective.

🛡️ Let's broaden the term "security" a little bit

When people hear "security," many first think of:

• Military and defense

• Self-Defense Forces and diplomatic strategies to protect the country

• International security treaties

and othernational-level things.

However, what is depicted in "Kirikirijin" is security that is much morerooted in daily life.

🏞️ What is "Regional Security"?

What Hisashi Inoue is appealing for in this work is
not simply a discussion about what to do with the nation of "Japan".

Rather, it is more about

This is the perspective.

🌾 The Form of "Security" Seen in the Kirikiri Country

The "security" mechanism prepared by the Kirikiri Country in the story does not rely on military power, but is trulysecurity as a living infrastructure:

🍚 1. Food Self-Sufficiency

• "Sustainable living" based on agriculture, fisheries, and forestry

• Being able to eat without relying on the outside is the greatest peace of mind

🔋 2. Energy Independence

• Utilizing local resources and introducing renewable energy

• A system that does not rely on imports or major power companies

🏥 3. Advanced Medical System

• Providing even advanced medical care within the village (such as brain-dead transplants)

• The resolve to "decide for ourselves" the value of life

📚 4. Respect for Education and Culture

• Teaching children the dialect (Kirikiri language)

• Education that passes on our own culture with "pride"

💬 Why is that "security"?

The answer is simple.

Not policies imposed from the center, but
local people deciding for themselves and living for themselves.

That is stronger and more resilient than any military force or treaty.

📚 What "Kirikirijin" Taught Me

I read this book myself during my university days and
became interested in "international law," "monetary systems," and "separation of powers," but
what remained in my heart most after finishing it was

was the message.

🔍 Thinking about it in the context of the present day...

Currently, in Japan:

• Centralization of economy and industry

• Hollowing out of local medical care and education

• Centralized dependence on energy supply

• Decline in food self-sufficiency (less than 40%)

are progressing.

These area "security crisis" in a sense different from military mattersas well.

"Kirikirijin" predicted this over 40 years ago withhumor and biting satire.

🗣️ Summary: "Local Security" means dignity

Local security is the ability to protect the ordinary activities of humans living humanely, maintaining culture, working, raising children, and growing old,
without relying on others, but by one's own power.

And perhaps that is born from
“pride,” “wisdom,” and “solidarity”more than from military or financial power.

📚 Thank you so much for reading until the end✨
If you thought, 'I want to read this book!' or 'That was interesting!', even just a little...

💖 It would encourage me if you could [Like] or [Follow]!👣
I will continue to carefully introduce books that resonate with the heart😊✨

📘 Look forward to the next reading journey!