Symbolism With Akemi And Theories On How She Could Become A Ruler In Japan

Symbolism with Akemi and theories on how she could become a ruler in Japan

Throughout Blue Eye Samurai, we see that Akemi constantly struggles with her freedom, life, and what she wants in life. While Akemi may be a princess, she is also a woman in the Edo Period. She barely has any say on her life. The only times she has any say on her life is when she convinces another man to change things for her. (Her father, Taigen, and her husband.)

There's this one moment when she is first introduced that showcases what little say she has over her life. When trying to convince her father that she should marry Taigen, Tomoe (her little half brother) throws food at her. In fact, Akemi's father even praises Tomoe for doing as he pleases. He even remarks that Tomoe would grow up to be a great lord. This is insulting to Akemi. Her little brother, a child; most likely not older than 5 or 6 because he doesn't talk, has more say over Akemi's own life, than she does. She's an adult, a princess yet this little boy could kill her at a second's notice, and she wouldn't be able to do anything about it.

What hurts even more is that the only 2 times her father speaks softer to her is when Akemi brings up marriage candidates and when he shows her the 12 and 20 sex positions. He doesn't see her as a person, he didn't even see his late wife as a person. The only thing he mentions about his late wife is that she was unladylike, but she knew how to please a lord. That's the kind of man that Akemi's father is. He only views people based on their importance to him. Tomoe is valuable because he is an heir. Akemi is valuable because she is his key to becoming the Shogun of Japan. His late wife's only use was her ability to please.

Akemi's father doesn't even show an ounce of sympathy when Akemi is down on her knees, begging to not get married.

Another symbol of Akemi's lack of say is the pet bird she receives as a wedding gift. Akemi releases the bird because she relates to its lack of freedom. She follows it, yet when it is close to gaining freedom, it is shot by her husband.

Do you know what else this parallels? Akemi when she was trying to escape her marriage. She was close to getting away, but she was caught by her family's guards.

Akemi's lack of freedom is constantly mocked. To her father to Lady Ito. Lady ito does not care about Akemi because it is what is expected. Even going as far as to mock her mourning of the bird as she feeds her 2 other birds.

Akemi is a bird in a cage, pretty but trapped. But Akemi has the potential to control Japan through her husband. Like what Madam Kaji said, "nurture his weakness and become his strength." Akemi could become a shadow ruler of Japan and have her husband be the puppet ruler. It isn't unheard of women being the actual power the thrones while a puppet ruler was the face of it. Many queens regents often acted as the absolute monarch in place of their husbands or sons. Sometimes Queen mothers would intimidate their sons so they could have power. Catherine de' Medici, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and many more are great examples.

Two other possibilities is that she could become more of a popular ruler of Japan and therefore people would be in support of placing her on the throne. Catherine the Great of Russia did this with her husband. Peter the III was incompetent so Catherine the Great overthrew her husband and became the ruler of Russia. Akemi could make the first son of the Shogun seem unfit to rule Japan and have her husband become the Shogun. Then she could slowly become more popular and have the nobles and the common people treat her more as the absolute monarch in Japan. Remember Takayoshi seems insecure and could possibly let Akemi rule instead. Effectively becoming more of the face of the throne with Akemi becoming the power of it.

The second possibility is that Akemi completely overthrows one of the 2 sons of the Shogun (either her brother in law or Takayoshi) and just become the sole ruler in Japan. While unlikely, we do have real life examples of women being the sole rulers to the throne. Queen Seondeok of Silla in Korea, and Wu Zetian, the only Female Emperor of China. Both rulers ruled before Edo Japan. Queen Seondeok of Silla was the daughter of the King, and she protested to be an heir to the throne. She was described as a kind and wise ruler. Technically, Akemi could be in line for the throne if everyone dies except her.

Wu Zetian was described to be more ruthless, but she was extremely innovated and a competent emperor. Empress Wu allowed women and commoners to be her advisors and have a place in the royal court. This is awfully similar to how Akemi allowed Madam Kaji and her girls to be her Lady-in-waitings and her companions at the palace. This also reflects on how Akemi wishes for women in Japan to be equal to men. Wu Zetian also fixed the famine problems of the common people, had a part in inventing printing for the Chinese people, and advocated for women's rights. During her reign, many women had more political power, and some even donned men's attire.

If Akemi learns how to use her manipulation skills to manipulate the royal court, she could bring a revolt to place her as the sole ruler. Akemi could possibly appear as the benevolent and wise ruler like Queen Seondeok of Silla, but behind closed doors she could use the same tactics like Wu Zetian did. But of course, still have her competence and approval of the common people. Also side note that Wu Zetian was worth about 16 trillion dollars USD and the Shogun is the second richest man in the world, so Akemi has the chance at being the richest woman in the world.

While Akemi still has much to do before she can become the ruler of Japan, I do believe that through the recent development that we've seen she could become the sole ruler of Japan. An Empress that is kind, wise, and generous like Queen Seondeok, but also a ruthless, cunning, yet powerful and beloved empress like Emperor Wu Zetian. Akemi may be a bird in a cage at this moment, but she will find a way to break out of her prison and make all of Japan worship her as the Divine Empress of Japan.

Incorrect quotes

Mizu: Before I am a woman, I am a menace to society

Taigen: *Whips his head around* YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU'RE ACTUALLY A WOMAN?!?!

Mizu: Do you have a problem?-

Taigen: OH THANK THE GODS! Now I don't have to have a crisis about being attracted to a man.

Mizu: Wtf-

-

Young Mizu: But Swordfather, how did you know I was a social outcast?

Master Eiji: Child, if you weren't a social outcast, you would not have had to act like a rat and freeload at my house.

-

Akemi: *sobbing because of her failed engagement to Taigen*

Ringo: *trying to comfort her* Aw, well I'm sure you can find someone else like him.

Akemi: No, you don't understand. I'll never find someone like him.

Ringo: What was he like?

Akemi: Well, he was nice to me.

Ringo: You could buy a dog...???

Akemi: That's not helping.

Ringo: *Under his breath* At least a dog wouldn't celebrate your engagement at a brothel.

Akemi: What?

Ringo: What?

-

Taigen: I feel as if I've disappointed you.

Akemi: Oh, don't worry Taigen. You already disappoint me on the daily.

-

Mizu: Ringo, did you know that atoms don't touch each other? And since we're made out of atoms, I never actually committed murder?

Ringo: Master, you used a sword to stab people. Not your bare hands.

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Shindo: Abijah, the man I met was no man. He was a monster.

Mizu: I have something crazy to say-

Fowler: Why tf did his ribs break like a woman then?

Yoo Joonghyuk canonically having a weak pullout game will never not be funny because I know for a fact that child he had in the 2nd round was NOT planned-

Anyways we should all thank Kim Dokja for irritating a guy so much, that he distracts him from getting another child. Joonghyuk being a father terrifies me because a mini version of him is enough reason for me to become an Eunuch and a Vestal Virgin from Rome at the same time.

My Roman empire is that despite Kim Dokja being a loving and caring man at the core, he cannot muster up any love for himself as a whole. We, the readers, aka Kim Dokja fragments, can love him through all his faults. But Kim Dokja as a whole can never love himself. No matter how much his companions and the readers do.

Truly the greatest thing to ever happen to the fandom

doing my part to make the blue eye samurai fandom worse

Kim Dokja is my favourite hopeless romantic. Not because he's utterly smitten but is too shy to make a move. No, it's because he knows he's hopeless but strives to show his affection by sacrificing himself, over and over again. After all, it was his mother's way of showing her love. Kim Dokja knows it's hopeless, but he can only hope that his countless of sacrifices will bring happiness to his companions. Won't they appreciate it once they're safe. They will....right?