Narrating Images: Old Women’s Desire and Agency through Visual Representation in Enchi Fumiko’s Literature

Abstract

In many of Enchi Fumiko’s (1905–1986) works, visual and material elements—paintings, sculptures, drawings—are described in the narration and emerge not merely as static symbols but as dynamic conduits of layered meanings, embodying the fragmented desires and latent agency of women. These objects or artistic creations are often fictional yet described with meticulous detail, blurring the boundaries between the tangible and intangible, the real and imagined. In both Kitsunebi (1969) and Saimu (1975–1976), images portrayed in the narration serve as portals into the inner worlds of an aging woman. The main character, a female writer, undertakes a sort of journey of self-discovery by envisioning the latent possibilities embedded within those visual representations, ultimately leading her to regain voice and a sense of self-determination. This study explores the intricate dialogue between the visual and verbal in Enchi’s narratives, where art and storytelling intertwine to convey the complexities of aging and female subjectivity. By focusing on two works generally classified as rōjomono (stories of elderly women), this study highlights how Enchi’s depictions challenge conventional perceptions of aging, offering alternative visions where old women emerge not as passive figures but as dynamic agents of their own narratives.