STIGMA I IZOLACIJA PACIJENATA OBOLELIH OD HANSENOVE BOLESTI U JAPANSKOJ KNJIŽEVNOSTI KROZ ANALIZU ROMANA SLATKA PASTA OD PASULJA DURIJANA SUKEGAVE

Abstract

This paper examines the themes of stigma and isolation surrounding leprosy, or Hansen’s disease, in Japan, with particular emphasis on its literary representation in Durian Sukegawa’s novel Sweet Bean Paste. Leprosy, historically associated with intense social stigma and institutional segregation of those affected, forms a distinct genre within Japanese literary tradition. Due to its visible physical changes and permanent scarring it causes, the disease has acquired a powerful symbolic meaning associated with impurity and divine punishment. This religious and cultural grounding, particularly through the biblical term Tsara’ath, translated as “uncleanness”, helped shape the perception of the afflicted as morally tainted individuals, thereby deepening their physical and social exclusion. During the 20th century in Japan, patients were forcibly confined to leprosaria for extended periods, which further shaped public perception of the disease and reinforced enduring patterns of discrimination. By examining the experiences of the marginalized character of Tokue in Sweet Bean Paste, a woman who spent almost her entire life in a leprosarium, this paper reveals how the novel reflects broader themes of societal rejection, solitude, ongoing societal impact of leprosy-related stigma. The novel opens up space for reflection on the possibilities of overcoming social barriers and transforming prejudice through empathy and human connection. By combining methods of literary analysis with historical research, the paper offers a nuanced understanding of how fiction and reality intersect to reveal the ongoing societal impact of leprosy-related stigma in Japan, tracing its impact on the portrayal of characters in literature, where those affected are often depicted as both physically and emotionally distanced from society. Through the lens of Sweet Bean Paste, this paper provides insight into the complex intersection of disease, stigma, and human relationships, offering a fresh perspective on the literary representation of leprosy and its implications for understanding societal attitudes toward marginalized communities. In this way, leprosy is redefined from a symbol of social isolation into a symbol of human resilience, with a profound impact on personal identity, emotional endurance, and the search for acceptance, thereby contributing to the contemporary understanding of the disease as a multifaceted phenomenon encompassing both the physical and psychological dimensions of human experience, as well as the dynamics of community.