12018-06-12T02:38:42-07:00Ronae Matriano8ed24d71e6036affdb22f6e2fd0ec83a8e515e95149432plain2019-01-30T23:26:09-08:00Ronae Matriano8ed24d71e6036affdb22f6e2fd0ec83a8e515e95This double meaning is important in Saikaku, because our basic take on “romance” is very influenced by Buddhist ideas—particularly in our first story, which focuses on an illicit romance between Osan and her lover, Moemon. We have a very gendered dichotomy in our two stories, both of which feature a journey of some kind. Consider the dramatic ending of Five Sensuous Women, which includes a flight from the authorities, betrayal, tears, punishment, death, and a stern lecture from the narrator, reminding us not to get attached or tangled up in love during our time in this world of suffering.