Marriage Confessions of a Successful Single Woman: The Howl of a Homeless Dog

Author: (Japanese) Susuko Sakai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The term "makeinu" (), which ranked on Japan's "Top 10 Popular Phrases of 2004," originally means "a defeated dog" and also refers to "a loser." The term was coined by the Japanese popular writer Susuko Sakai, a 38-year-old single female author, who referred to "those in their 30s who remain unmarried and childless" as "makeinu" in her works. In the book, she analyzes the reasons behind such individuals, stating that marriage has lost its appeal for contemporary Japanese women. Although they outwardly express weakness, calling themselves "makeinu," they are independent and increasingly desire to be attractive to the opposite sex, choosing to remain single to pursue "higher goals." This book is a collection of essays on women's topics. When you open the book, you see the dejected appearance of the "makeinu"; when you finish reading the last page, you might instead envision them living freely. "Makeinu" are women who are enthusiastic about enjoying life and possess a romantic constitution. Some might think, "Then, becoming a 'makeinu' isn't a loss," but "makeinu" are not just that. Those who possess the qualities of a "" (superstar) also enjoy fun things. However, they have a dog-like keen sense of smell, allowing them to detect the danger surrounding interesting things and avoid places with such vibes. For example, a female university graduate facing the choice between a company and media when job hunting is a "" if she decides to work for a company, while she would be a "makeinu" if she chooses to become a journalist in the media.