Maomao: A Prodigious Woman in the Wrong Era
When watching Kusuriya no Hitorigoto, I often fantasize. What if Maomao — the central female character of the anime — were born in modern times? Would her future be even more brilliant? Would her proficiency in medicine be even sharper? Would her intellect contribute to the advancement of pharmaceutical sciences?
But wait a moment. Why does such a hypothetical scenario emerge?
As we know, this anime is set in the era of the Chinese empire. It vividly reflects the social and cultural atmosphere of ancient China.
Maomao herself was born into a plain family, living amidst the bustle of the “red-light district (brothel).” Despite this, she possesses remarkable skills in medicine and a sharp intellect. She can also read and write — a rare feat for women of that time, who were mostly illiterate.
Moreover, she is a captivating figure amidst the traditional society. Maomao seamlessly blends confidence, independence, eccentricity, pragmatism, and a touch of asocial behavior. Like a potent medicine neutralizing poison, she represents empowerment and defiance against restrictive norms.
She has deep insights into the hidden aspects of society and political intrigue. Her upbringing molded her into a brave and adaptable individual. She skillfully navigates her abilities, making it relatively easy for her to solve various mysteries within the palace.
In redefining the traditional detective archetype, Maomao transcends gender boundaries. She revolutionizes the field with a harmonious blend of femininity, expertise in medicinal arts, and, of course, intelligence. She challenges pre-existing assumptions, unearths truths based on issues, and stands as a quietly influential figure in the palace, leveraging her sharp mind.
Furthermore, thanks to her insatiable curiosity, she survives in a world that does not extend an open hand to her.
Talent Constrained by a Patriarchal Social System
It seems that such remarkable talent should not be neglected, right? It should be so. Unfortunately, the world does not align with Maomao’s desires.
She cannot even develop her potential; instead, she is kidnapped and confined within the palace harem. She often gets entangled in conflicts and complex puzzles surrounding the lives of the concubines. Although the palace harem is mostly inhabited by women, the atmosphere is far from serene. Competition and rivalry are common phenomena, which is quite ironic considering that women were marginalized from social life at that time.
Despite being overwhelmed by the situation, Maomao adeptly adapts and dives into unraveling the problems within the palace. Especially after her career advances to become the personal attendant of the emperor’s favorite concubine. This opens the door for her to access facilities related to medicine — the one thing that can bring her joy.
Thus, Why Is She Considered a Fabulous Woman in the Wrong Time?
Imagine we harbor potential talent — surely we would hone it, right? However, it all must be in vain. Because there are fundamental rules that bind us from expressing ourselves.
That is what Maomao experiences. She lives in a period when gender equality is at its nadir. During that time, the concept of equality between women and men was like a mere fairy tale. Yes, a patriarchal world. When women’s roles were so diminished and often sidelined. Women were also frequently used as pawns to consolidate power — especially family status. To the extent that they were viewed merely as tools for marriage and producing offspring.
It cannot be refuted, the social structure of ancient China leaned towards curbing women’s participation in many aspects. There was a wide chasm between what men and women were supposed to do.
Society bridled women through social norms that they should only engage in domestic matters. Women were also conditioned to embody modesty, gentleness, and submissiveness. Meanwhile, external affairs had to be handled by men. Such strict gender separation was epitomized in the famous policy “men plow, women weave.”
Moreover, during the Ming Dynasty — due to the widespread influence of Neo-Confucianism on the collective view of society. During the Ming Dynasty, a famous saying about women also emerged. That is, “a woman without talent is virtuous.” This concept implied that women could not be talented and successful. At a glance, it was a manifestation of men’s dogmatic policies to dominate women and affirm their superior position.
Although the patriarchal backdrop is not explicitly depicted, nor is it the central conflict, this anime subtly illustrates how toxic objectification of women’s bodies once occurred. It happened in a society that treated them as objects of pleasure and as tools for creating heirs.
From this anime, Maomao’s character also recollects us. When the world’s system does not support us, that is not the moment to surrender. We need to stand, run against it. Then, raise the flag of our noble struggle high.
June 2024
