Learning that weakness can sometimes become the strongest weapon: Reading 'May You Eat Delicious Food' by Junko Takase
I have been participating in a book club regularly for several years now.
For those who might ask, 'What is a book club?', to explain briefly, it is simply a gathering of book lovers who talk about things like, 'That book was interesting,' or 'I thought this after reading that book.'
Sometimes we analyze books more academically or read a specific assigned book together. But, overall, it is simply a gathering of book lovers.
Last year at that book club, many people said, 'This book was interesting!' and it was this one.
May You Eat Delicious Food by Junko Takase
It is also a buzzworthy work that won the 167th Akutagawa Prize.
When I saw only the title, I thought, 'Is this a heartwarming gourmet novel?' but my expectations were completely betrayed. In a good way.
Here is the synopsis quoted from Amazon:
'Nitani, why don't you join me in being mean to Ashikawa?'
A novel about work, food, and romance that stirs the heart.
Nitani, who gets by reasonably well at work; Ashikawa, a good cook whom everyone feels the need to protect; and Oshio, a capable and hardworking employee.
A masterpiece that depicts awkward and difficult human relationships through the act of 'eating.'
A novel that shines a spotlight on three people working at the same workplace.
The woman named Ashikawa who appears in the story is kind, timid, and helpful. She is the type of person who makes others think, 'I want to protect her,' with a vulnerability that is visible in both mind and body. Because of this, there is a subtle preferential treatment where, by tacit agreement, tasks that would be a heavy burden for her are handled by others.
Oshio, a junior colleague who felt skeptical about this, invites a man named Nitani, who works at the same place, to 'be mean' to Ashikawa.
It is only natural to provide reasonable accommodations for people who have certain positions, characteristics, or some form of weakness. In fact, these days, not providing such accommodations is considered more of a problem.
However, who ends up bearing the brunt of the strain created by those accommodations? This novel confronts us with that very question.
In human relationships, weakness and victimhood can sometimes become the greatest weapon. And that weapon can be intangible and difficult to identify. When you try to strike back after being targeted by that weapon, you are often told that you are cold-hearted or immature.
Of course, since we are all human beings working together, it is inevitable that we will sometimes feel unwell or make mistakes. It is natural to support each other through those times. Or rather, it is essential, isn't it?
However, when the balance of that 'give and take' is disrupted, a sense of inequality and injustice begins to grow in one's heart.
"Am I the only one getting the short end of the stick?"
There is an atmosphere where even speaking about such things is somewhat taboo, so reading it as a novel like this,
I felt a sense of empathy, thinking, "I understand that a little," mixed with the fear that "perhaps I am being thought of that way too." While holding those conflicting feelings, I couldn't stop turning the pages.
People cannot live without causing trouble for others. That is precisely why we should forgive and accept the trouble caused by others. When I heard that said in some proverb, I thought it was true.
However, the inner conflict and dissatisfaction that arise within that, and the strength of appealing to one's own weakness to receive consideration—I wanted to make sure not to forget that such far-from-pretty aspects always exist and influence human relationships.