User:Nabu/Fujiko

Fujiko's Bizarre Worldly Wisdom Analysis

Themes: Sexuality, pornography, relevance of pornography in art, importance of art, religion, enlightenment, sexual revolution?, to feel good, the power of art

Title Analysis

"Fujiko's Bizarre World Wisdom" Fujiko is the title character Fujiko is the most important character Fujiko has a worldy wisdom/secret of success in life What is Fujiko's wisdom?

Cover Analysis

Cover of Jolyne, Fujiko behind in the shadows. Painting frames in the bg Fujiko framing Jolyne with her fingers.

Theme of art. What Jolyne represents. Implication of Fujiko in the shadows, hidden, forgotten.

Fujiko's Personality

• Fujiko is a withdrawn woman who prefers to stay isolated from others in order to draw.
• Fujiko has a lot of respect for the erotic genre, saying that pornography is "just as essential to human beings as food and sleep" and using the fact that erotica can be found anywhere throughout history and cultures as a proof of its importance.
• Fujiko becomes extremely attracted to Jolyne over the course of the story. She begins by being merely interested in Jolyne because she's heard a story about Jolyne being caught touching herself and thus feels that she is "honest" about her desires. When she meets Jolyne, Fujiko also appreciates Jolyne's physical beauty, focusing on details such as her lips to her chest. However, it is when Jolyne praises Fujiko's art and tells about its soothing effects that Fujiko started feeling truly infatuated with her.

Analysis

Surface level: the plot

One day, Pucci discovers Fujiko and her drawing talent. He gives Fujiko a Stand, Bad Romance, which has "total control over the emotions of anyone who receives a drawing". He lets Fujiko make contact with Jolyne, probably to control her mental state and thus weaken her through Fujiko's art. Fujiko gives Jolyne a sketch. However, Jolyne praises Jolyne's sketch for its quality and also because of it makes her feel good and puts her at ease. Fujiko is deeply touched and falls in love with Jolyne. Pucci then watches Fujiko drawing, but sees that it's becoming religious art. It seems that it may grant spiritual strength to Jolyne. Pucci sees that he's miscalculated the risks and he quickly takes away Fujiko's Stand and memories of Jolyne. Jolyne has felt her libido increase but then reached some sort of enlightenment.

This one-shot lasts 29 pages, cover included. From a plot point of view, the story is quite simple. Pucci sought to control or weaken Jolyne, but a random act of kindness causes Pucci's plan to backfire because now Fujiko loves Jolyne and he has to stop Fujiko's power and make her forget Jolyne. That was Pucci's miscalculation.

The one-shot isn't an exciting Stand fight, or a moving story, and is more of a fun, light-hearted sketch. However, even a simple and short light-hearted comedy story can be densely packed with subtext and messages. As a one-shot, Sho Aimoto has had the opportunity to think every detail thorougly and everything that is shown, told and drawn in the one-shot is there because it reflects Aimoto's beliefs, whether she wanted to make a statement or just because it felt right to her.

So let's dive and see the themes and messages that are more or less hideen in this underrated one-shot.

The value and power of art

Araki once said in his "Manga Technique" book that he likes titles who include the main character's name as it shows that the mangaka cares about their protagonist. It seems like Aimoto has followed Araki's opinion on this, as the one-shot Fujiko's Bizarre Worldly Wisdom is centered around Fujiko Fujiyama, the title character, and not Jolyne as one may have expected.

Fujiko Fujiyama is at the core an artist. Her life revolves around the act of drawing. Through Fujiko's character, Aimoto is able on a number of themes around art, developing the one-shot into an apology of art.

Art is not necessary and yet is needed

In page 12 of the one-shot, Jolyne says this when she gladly buys Fujiko's sketch:

“

It's little things like this that truly make you feel good about yourself and put you at ease. I think that being able to enjoy stuff you don't need is a sign of great mental composure. Maybe that's why I need it now more than ever.

”

—Jolyne

This phrase encapsulates what is the value of art. Art is stricly speaking not needed to survive, but can ease the mind. Art is not something that human use to survive, but to thrive. Through this, Jolyne and Aimoto defend art and praise those who can appreciate it. In fact, Fujiko reacts positively and Pucci's attack begins to backfire from tis point on. This statement saves Jolyne, in a way, in a karmic fashion. By understanding the value of art, Jolyne manages to save herself. Contrast this with the landlord who once told Fujiko to "stop wasting time with drawing and go study", as Pucci explains, Fujiko reacted badly and stabbed him. Although this is of course excessive, this is still meant to be a sympathetic moment for Fujiko. Drawing is not just a hobby for Fujiko, it is her passion and she's obviously worked hard to reach her current level of drawing so of course a stranger dismissing her life's work would make her angry.

Interestingly, the one-shot still shows the realities of a life as an artist. Fujiko calls herself a shunga artist and she makes a living drawing pornographic commissions for other inmates, and thanks to Fujiko's short interactions with her client, Aimoto shows some of the practicals of an artist as a gag, which contrasts nicely with Jolyne's behavior.

What does the client do?

• She's commissionned a Spiderman x Deadpool pairing for money
• She is impatient and demanding
• She gives Fujiko extra money so that she can her get art quicker (a good fantasy for any online artists)

How does Jolyne behave:

• She pays for a mere flattering self-portrait on her own volition
• She understands the value of art
• She respected Fujiko as an artist

Through Fujiko's client, we do show that art is also a trade. Artists of course sell their skills and have sometimes to create stuff themed around things they may not be interested in to make a living and have to deal with less than ideal clients at times. Jolyne is at least aware of the spiritual value of what she is both. Both the client and Jolyne with enjoy their respective drawings, but Jolyne and Fujiko are actually connected.

Art triggers powerful emotions

Yes art is valuable, but it is precious precisely because it can trigger extraordinary emotions simply by being exposed to it. This is what the one-shot's Stand, Bad Romance, embodies. Bad Romance, has "total control over the emotions of anyone who receives one of Fujiko's drawings!". Bad Romance is a literal representation of what art does to people, only exaggerated.

Fujiko's usual trade showcases the power that art has over people. Her pornographic/erotic drawings well excite the inmates enough that they become popular and people are ready to pay a lot of money for Fujiko's drawings. Fujiko's art is strangely presented as an addictive thing, with prisoners dying to get their "fix" of porno.

Moreover, as Whitesnake says, "As Fujiko pours her heart into her art, [Fujiko's victims] pour their hearts out for her". Through this, Aimoto reveals the existence the emotional link that art creates between the creator and their audience. Art is not just single beautiful objects that are skillfully made, but another mean of communication between people (the artist and their audience). Artist invest and represents ideas and feelings through their art, and their audience resonate with these ideas and feelings.

In the one-shot, this resonance is felt through Fujiko and Jolyne's relationship, which we are going to explore later.

Art touches the divine

“

It is said that Buddha overcame his afflictions and attained enlightenment by sitting under the bodhi tree. Could this Stand have given Jolyne that same kind of spiritual power?

”

—Enrico Pucci

Near the end of the one-shot, we kinda shift from a portrayal and apology of art to a full glorification of art. In here, art is connected with the divine, the sacred. Indeed, Fujiko begins to depict Jolyne in what Whitesnake calls religious drawings, in a very positive, even overpositive light. This phenomenon seems justified by the mix of Fujiko's skill but also the genuine inspiration she gets from her love for Jolyne. Jolyne has become a muse to Fujiko, and in fact, the Muses were also divinities that presided over arts. The imagery obviously is religious and evokes Heaven and its angels. Jolyne in pure white robe, sparkles, angel wings, being surrounded by cherubs. Cherubs begin to manifest, perhaps out of the drawings. From a plot point of view, it can just be explained as Fujiko starting to adulate Jolyne. Still, it ties with the message that art allows one to reach a superior plane, a divine plane.

As a consequence, Jolyne funnily reaches a light state of enlightenment. As the guard explains, yoga was a means to reach enlightenment but then through Fujiko's art and their connection, Jolyne is also able to perfectly complete the yoga poses. She also happens to sparkle as well as good and refreshed. It is implied that it could have gone further, but Pucci puts an end to it, out of fear for this power he doesn't understand.

Sexual liberation

Sexuality isn't shameful

“

Yoga was originally created as a way to push people toward enlightenment. By harmonizing the mind and body through meditation, it's though to expel evil spirits and control foolish and lustful desires. It's also pretty good for exercise.

”

—Guard

Sexual urges is presented in a funny, not shameful way. Several inmates have urges, Jolyne faps, Gwess is implied to fap, the addicted prisoner faps to Spider-Man x Deadpool (okay this one is ridiculous, but at least funny). Fujiko is surely lesbian. However, they're all "dirty secrets". People are embarrassed to talk about these things, which are personal, naturally.

Contrast with the antagonists. The guard talks about "foolish and lustful desires". Pucci is not just a priest, but of course a priest who feels no sexual desire from canon. He also tries to weaponize art and the people's lust against Jolyne in an attempt to weaken?/control? her.

Fujiko says it. "Sexual desire" is one of the three most important human needs. It was present since ancient times. It is human. Fujiko appreciates that Jolyne is "open" to her desires. One of the few things she smiles about.

Funnily, Jolyne reaches enlightenment after being plunged into a state of horniness. Does this imply post-squirt clarity? Fujiko shifts into religious drawing. Sadly we don't see the transition of Jolyne's state of mind. Despite what the guard says, there is another way to reach enlightenment. Irony as she says to everybody to do what Jolyne does (everybody should acknowledge their sexuality openly). Does this mean that there is an evolution from sexual act to enlightenment?

It is actually quite fitting that Jolyne is the JoJo with the story about sexual liberation. Out of all of them, she was depicted as the most sexually liberated, although it certainly began as a joke.

However, it seems it's not like sexuality's treated as the best thing ever. Fujiko's greatest drawings are prude and religious and idealize Jolyne. They still make Jolyne horny? While Fujiko appreciates Jolyne's body, she was only really in love because Jolyne understood her.

It's acceptable to make erotic art/porno

“

Sexual desire is one of the three most important human needs. Pornography is just as essential to human beings as food and sleep.

”

—Fujiko

Well, Fujiko explains the cultural relevance, longevity and universality of sex-themed art. It is ancient and also connected to prestigious stuff like Egyptian papyrus and other cultures. Art provokes emotional. Arousal is one of those. Art creates this and also fulfills a demand from the general public. You fap to art.

Though it's also treated also as a good business practice. People only ask for this kind of stuff in prison/this world?

Nature of love

Love is a mix of physical and spiritual love

Fujiko's love for Jolyne. Interested in Jolyne because she heard about Jolyne. Considers that she's open about her desires. No opinion, but preconceptions. Fujiko clearly likes Jolyne's body. She still expects her to become "addicted" to her porn like the others. However, Jolyne shows true understanding of the value of art. Jolyne's appraisal kickstarts Fujiko's love. There is clearly arousal, but also real joy in someone understanding what Fujiko lives for. Fujiko likes art because the "process of drawing". Jolyne appreciates the result. There is a clear affinity on the mental level between the two of them.

This results in what I call a "mental sex scene". Through Bad Romance, Fujiko gets horny and Jolyne gets horny too. Innuendos like "My hands won't stop moving", "I can't contain myself".

Wisteria

Wisteria plants have been grown in places like Japan, Korea, and China for well over 2,000 years. They arrived in the United States in the mid-1800s as ornamental plants. First referred to as the “blue vine,” these plants were named by botanist Thomas Nuttall.

Practitioners of Feng shui:source of encouragement during moments of doubt. In Japan, wisteria are seen as durable/resilient.

Jodo Shinshu Shin Buddhist sect: humility to the sect. symbol of prayer.

In Victorian culture: warning against over passionate love.

What Does a Wisteria Symbolize? The wisteria represents love, fertility beauty, creativity, and long life, patience and honor. symbol of everlasting wisdom. searching for new knowledge. longevity and endurance. Pink wisteria usually symbolizes romance. White wisteria flowers spirituality, purity, and innocence. Blue wisteria symbol of a new beginning.

Japanese Kabuki theater: Love, Sensuality, Support, Sensitivity, Bliss and Tenderness.

In the Kabuki drama “Fuji Musume” 藤娘 of the 1820s meaning “The Wisteria Lady”, a young woman waited for her lover under the wisteria vine. The Wisteria maiden is seen in a painting holding a wisteria branch until she falls deeply in love with a young man and steps out of the painting just so she could grasp his attention.

Unfortunately, her attempts were futile, her love was unreciprocated and she goes back into her painting dejected. This context juxtaposes the long-life, durability and resilience of the wisteria to the woman’s endurance in the face of heartache.

Misc.

• Yoga, enlightenment, is about posing so JoJo pose of course, link with buddhism
• Pucci, priest, no sexual desires himself, seeks to weaponize art against Jolyne,
  • is offended when Jolyne is depicted religiously
  • expected shunga, got religious drawings
  • feared the power of Bad Romance
• Bodhi tree. Is a fig tree. Fig come to represent wisdom, have significance in Budhism. In western christianity, fig represent knowledge and intelligence.