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VOL. 8, ISSUE 2 (2026)
Restraint, affect, and materiality: Reimagining Heian Aesthetics in a transnational narrative
Authors
Wasantha Samarathunga
Abstract
This research paper examines how Fude no Kage, Haru no Kokoro wo Musubu
reimagines Heian aesthetics through a contemporary transnational lens. Through
close reading, it shows how restraint, affect and manuscript materiality work
together to shape a model of intercultural intimacy. Silence, atmospheric detail
and ritualized gesture create a field in which emotion moves with subtle force.
The protagonist’s position as a cultural outsider reveals how vulnerability and
minor affects guide her negotiation of belonging. Calligraphic style and brush
handling act as embodied forms of recognition that help bridge cultural difference.
The study maintains that the narrative transforms classical forms into a modern
ethics of attention. Current research also reveals that classical, ancient and
premodern aesthetics inform modern explorations of diaspora and relationality.
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Pages:6-11
How to cite this article:
Wasantha Samarathunga "Restraint, affect, and materiality: Reimagining Heian Aesthetics in a transnational narrative". International Journal of Social Research and Development, Vol 8, Issue 2, 2026, Pages 6-11
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