A Symbiosis of Japanese Shinto Myths and Jungian Archetypes in Miyazaki’s Visual Text, Spirited Away

Rency Mary J.

Assistant Professor, Loyola – ICAM College of Engineering and Technology, Chennai.

Abstract

This paper proposes to delve into the mythologies of Japanese culture and their significance in order to aid in the deeper understanding of the characters in the visual text, Spirited Away, written and directed by Hayao Miyazaki. The Japanese cultural practices and folklore mentioned concern the Japanese Shinto religion in particular. These mythologies are examined using the archetypes discussed by Carl Jung in The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious, and aims to map the protagonist, Chihiro’s journey towards self-hood and identity formation. The paper also analyses the archetypes of other major characters in the anime film. The scope of this paper is extended to a close reading of the technical aspects of the film such as mise-en-scene and the examination of important frames that convey deeper meanings and give way to multiple interpretations. Through the close textual analysis of the archetypes found in ancient mythology and folk tradition, the paper aims to show the intersection between mythology and the universal psyche, portraying the timelessness of narratives serving as a mirror to the collective human experience.

Keywords: Mythology, Psyche, Japan, Folklore, Self-hood, Identity.