傲慢と善良（2019）／辻村深月 "Arrogance and Virtue" (2019) by Mizuki Tsujimura

Virtually every Japanese book influencer I follow on IG recommends "Arrogance and Virtue" by Mizuki Tsujimura. It was also made into a hit movie in 2024. It has been said that this book is essential reading for the 25 - 40 age group. Essentially, this is a romance novel with a bit of mystery mixed in it - just before their wedding, the bride (mid-30s) goes missing, the groom (almost 40) traces her footsteps and, during the process, discovers her past, her psychology and ultimately more about himself. The title is a play on Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice", which is explicitly stated in a major conversation in Chapter 2. In this work. Tsujimura examines different aspects of modern relationships and marriage and "arrogance" and "virtue" form a dichotomy in this discourse. Why do people still struggle with relationships and marriage in this day and age, 200 years after the Regency era, when dating apps and matchmaking services provide more choices and flexibility than ever? The usual reasons go - societal expectations, family pressure, self-esteem, high expectations - but now in 21C, for independent women (and men), the need for personal development is a major reason why people avoid commitment. At which point does conforming to expectations (which is a "virtue" in Oriental societies) become self-gratifying "arrogance", and at which point is "arrogance" so pure and honest that it is now considered a "virtue" in the complex world of (Japanese) social etiquette? For the most part, this book is a linear survey of well-established viewpoints, but the most charming aspect in Tsujimura's writings always lie in her depictions of provincial life. The search for the bride takes the reader to Gunma Prefecture (known for its onsens) and later on to Miyagi, the heart of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in 2011. Tsujimura puts in a lot of effort to contrast the life and ambitions among characters from metropolitan Tokyo (the groom and his friends), regional Maebashi (the bride and his family) and post-disaster Sendai. It might not be a literary masterpiece, but it is very real and emotionally relevant to the general reader, which makes it a very satisfying read. This explains why it is so popular.