UNDERGROUND

At long last I've finished reading Haruki Murakami's Underground. The book is based on testimonials by people involved in the 1995 Sarin gas attack in Tokyo's subway.

Perpetrated by Japan's religious cult Aum Shinrikyo, the book attempts to paint a full picture of the event. What interested me the most was not the people's recollections of that spring day, but rather the insight into the pysche of the Japanese society the book gave. Underground is written in two parts: the victims and the cult members. The interviews reveal to the reader an understanding of the two extremes of Japanese society; those that are 'a cog of society's system' and those that are not. When one begins to question their role and purpose, their attempt to search for answers usually end up at religion's doorstep. It is then easy to see how those that question the workings of Japan's utilitarian society, are easily tricked into something as extreme as killing people. Those that joined Aum did just that, wanting to find a deeper purpose in life they simply annunciate the secular world. When this happens layers of reality begin to be distorted thus making individuals and groups dangerous. Haruki writes:

The sad fact is that language and logic cut off from reality have a far greater power than the language and logic of reality - with all that extraneous matter weighing down like a rock on any actions we take.

Since living here, I've been fascinated by Japanese society and it's workings. Reading this book made me think that I'm glad I'm not a cog in this country's system. Definitely recommended reading.