Photo/Illutration Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at a news conference in Ise, Mie Prefecture, on Jan. 4 (Pool)

During the Edo Period (1603-1867), “Ya no Ne” (The Arrow Sharpener) was said to be the favorite New Year’s kabuki play of the citizens of old Edo (present-day Tokyo).

Inspired by the famed "Revenge of the Soga Brothers" incident that occurred in 1193, it tells a rollicking tale with much bravura, peppered with references to common “osechi” (New Year’s festive food) items, including “tazukuri” (sweet fried sardines) and “sugobo” (pickled burdock), with which well-known maxims were delectably punned.

The play opens with the protagonist, Goro Soga, sharpening his arrow on a grindstone to avenge his late father, while cursing the “Shichifukujin” (seven lucky gods) for his own poverty.

He then lies down on a picture of the “takarabune” (treasure ship) with the seven gods aboard, using the grindstone as a pillow.

While he sleeps, his older brother, Jyuro, appears in his dream as a captive calling for help.

Goro wakes up and leaps into action. He grabs a horse from a man passing by, gets on the beast and gallops away, using a daikon white radish as a whip.

The story couldn’t be more straightforward and exciting. And there is humor galore, too.

While I was gushing over this play’s charms, it dawned on me that these were all elements completely missing from Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s first news conference of the year on Jan. 4.

That must explain why his words didn’t resonate at all.

He certainly used big words when he spoke of an "other-dimensional policy to deal with the low birthrate,” the “activation of the basis of a new desirable cycle (of economic growth)” and “the engine for carving out a new future of the Japanese economy.”

Um, can someone translate, please?

Goro's gutsy shout of “Yattokodoccha, untokonaa!” (Finally! Way to go!) is far more eloquent, if you ask me.

Kishida went on to say, “Fundamental reinforcement of the nation’s defense capabilities cannot wait.” But I could not possibly see how he could “protect people’s lives and livelihoods" with a forcible change in defense policy and tax hikes.

And his words simply sounded hollow as he stated his understanding of growing disparities, the loss of competitiveness of Japanese businesses and the failure of trickle-down economics.

I believe the popularity of “Ya no Ne” lies in Goro’s hearty shouts and wild foot-stomping that helped the masses vent their frustrations.

Can we ever expect our prime minister to speak words that will make us say, “What an admirable man”?

--The Asahi Shimbun, Jan. 6

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Vox Populi, Vox Dei is a popular daily column that takes up a wide range of topics, including culture, arts and social trends and developments. Written by veteran Asahi Shimbun writers, the column provides useful perspectives on and insights into contemporary Japan and its culture.

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