Mr. Miyazaki’s comments (in interviews about the movie) about Spirited Away made it easier to understand why it affected my exchange students so deeply. Apparently his inspiration for Spirited Away came from meeting the ten year old daughter of a friend. Despite her young age the girl was sullen and apathetic. Miyazaki decided the girl’s attitude (which he seems to think is the attitude of most Japanese children) was caused by "a loss of roots," which "causes their lives to be consumed (or eaten up) by high technology and cheap industrial goods." Chihiro represents these children. When we first meet her, her attitude mirrors their attitude. Her triumph, over a world where her parents (who are transformed into pigs) and she could literally be eaten up, is the triumph Miyazaki desires for all Japanese children. "Chihiro is a heroine because of her power not to let herself be eaten up." What it appears Miyazaki is trying to say, and what Spirited Away does say to my Japanese exchange students, is that we can all become people of honor despite our circumstances.

Chihiro (and the bathhouse's staff) cleanse a river spirit
(c) Disney

When I had a better understanding of Spirited Away I realized how I could use it in the classroom. Class discussions of the environmental movement always cause great division. Tuolumne County is a logging area and there is a constant tension between using and preserving the environment. Spirited Away allowed me to make this discussion less emotional and more productive. The scene where Chihiro cleans the river spirit is an excellent illustration of why laws protecting the environment are necessary. It is also a good way to introduce the historical background of the Clean Water Act. Before this law passed in 1972 most rivers near American cities were dead. The enforcement of the Clean Water Act has bought many rivers back to life. Regardless of their stance on logging most of my students like to use the rivers here for recreation. So Chihiro’s act makes sense to them and helps them to visualize why a compromise between the use and the preservation of the environment is necessary.

Chihiro escapes the spirit world
(c) Disney

So despite how inscrutable and completely strange Spirited Away may appear to be; it is actually a deeply meaningful and even transforming movie. I understand why the movie was so popular in Japan; since it offers the Japanese a way to hold onto to their honor and value as people despite the temptations and problems of modern life. I think the movie also offers this to those of us who are not Japanese.  For while we may not be able to change the world around us; we can change ourselves as Chihiro did. Chihiro does not triumph over or change the world that imprisons her; she triumphs over herself. If we want to become people of honor and value; her example is one we can all follow.

Chihiro learns that honoring (and loving) someone else gives our lives value
(c) Disney