In the arena of literary success, a provocative and witty work centering around Japan's gender-based prejudice, humorously titled 'Butter', has garnered a considerable following amidst food enthusiasts and feminist critics alike.
In the world of contemporary literature, "Butter" by Asako Yuzuki stands out as a powerful critique of the social and cultural context of misogyny and fatphobia in Japan. The novel, which has won multiple awards in Japan and sold over 610,000 copies overseas, sheds light on the entrenched sexism and fatphobia that shape women's lives, identities, and media representation.
At the heart of the novel is the character Kajji, whose success is often credited to her homemaking prowess, particularly in the kitchen. However, Kajji becomes a viral sensation not just because of her culinary skills but because she is "fat" and deemed "ugly," making her success and defiance of societal expectations shocking to others. Similarly, the journalist protagonist, Rika, gains weight as she begins enjoying food, triggering concern and criticism from those around her, demonstrating how women are socially conditioned to maintain strict control over their bodies and diets.
The novel also exposes media sensationalism that focuses on victims' appearances rather than their humanity. It uses its narrative around a real-life murder case (the "Konkatsu killer") to reveal how women who deviate from prescribed beauty norms, especially in Japan’s highly image-conscious society, are often marginalized or harshly criticized.
Yuzuki, the author, was inspired by the real-life story of Kanae Kijima, a woman sentenced to death for poisoning men she met on dating sites. The media coverage of Kijima's case largely focused on her appearance and speculated about how an unattractive woman could be considered a femme fatale.
Yuzuki comments on the prevalence of weight loss, cosmetic surgery, and diet advertisements in Japan, stating that the country is obsessed with fatphobia. She notes that in other countries, especially the United States, journalists have seriously investigated such cases, and the victims have been protected because of the information being made public.
The novel connects women’s struggles around body image and societal judgment with their relationship to food — a source of pleasure yet a trigger for social control. Rika’s journey of embracing food and weight gain serves as a metaphor for reclaiming autonomy in a culture that demands self-discipline and perfection from women.
"Butter" has resonated widely, striking a chord as a feminist and foodie bestseller that critiques sexism and cultural misogyny, both domestically and internationally. Yuzuki believes that change can only come from outside, stating that when foreigners, especially the English-language media, take up a topic, it completely changes the way it is perceived in Japan.
Shiori Ito, a Japanese journalist who publicly accused a prominent Japanese TV reporter of rape, is a case in point. Her documentary, "Black Box Diaries", was not released in Japan because it used material recorded clandestinely or intended for judicial use only. Another example is Masahiro Nakai, a boyband member and a star TV presenter accused of sexual assault. The scandal shone a spotlight on the toxic culture of young women being pressured to attend dinners and drinking parties with powerful figures.
What strikes Yuzuki is the uninterrupted chain of sexual violence, and especially that these are crimes committed within one organization, covered up by another organization... that of the media. Yuzuki suggests that if the European media continue to be interested in issues related to discrimination and sexual assault, then the situation in Japan could change a little.
In conclusion, "Butter" is a compelling exploration of the roots of misogyny in Japan, where traditional male and female roles still dominate and women are held to impossible beauty standards. It serves as a feminist critique of how women are pressured to conform to narrow ideals of appearance and behavior in Japan, challenging the cultural norms that sustain these pressures through a deeply personal and critical narrative.
- In the discussion of contemporary literature, "Butter" by Asako Yuzuki, rooted in the language of critique, presents a powerful analysis of misogyny and fatphobia embedded within Japan's culture.
- The book delves into entertainment, crime-and-justice, and general-news domains, exposing media sensationalism and its focus on victims' appearances instead of their humanity, particularly when they deviate from beauty norms in Japan.
- Yuzuki's book also touches upon health-and-wellness and women's health issues, as it follows characters who experience social repercussions for not adhering to fluid beauty standards, such as gaining weight or enjoying food freely.
- The novel connects language and culture, highlighting the prevalence of weight loss and cosmetic surgery advertisements in Japan, a country deeply obsessed with fatphobia, while comparing it to other countries' serious investigations into such matters.
- Through its exploration of women's struggles with societal judgment, especially around body image and food, "Butter" can be categorized as a work of science, offering insights into the social pressures on women in Japan and the impact of external discourse, such as from the English-language media, on challenging ingrained cultural norms.
