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MORAL VALUES IN UZBEK AND JAPANESE ORAL FOLKLORE
Erkinova Rukhshona Utkirovna
Student at Samarkand State Institute of Foreign Languages
Abstract:
This article presents a comparative analysis of moral values expressed in Uzbek and
Japanese oral folklore. The study examines the moral views, cultural mindset, and educational
approaches of both peoples based on fairy tales, proverbs, epics, and folk stories. The article
highlights the role of oral folklore in moral education, as well as the system of values and
character images through a linguoculturological approach.
Keywords:
Uzbek oral folklore, Japanese fairy tales, moral values, folklore, cultural mindset,
linguoculturology, fairy tale characters, education.
INTRODUCTION
The spiritual heritage of each nation is manifested through its oral folklore, which embodies its
historical development, traditions and values. Through such examples of oral folklore as fairy
tales, legends, proverbs and epics, nations have passed on their moral, aesthetic, cultural and
social values from generation to generation. Oral folklore serves as an important
educational tool, especially in the formation of concepts such as correct behavior, kindness,
patriotism, hard work and etiquette in society.
Uzbek oral folklore has a centuries-old history, in which such high moral qualities as humanity,
honesty, justice, generosity and friendship occupy a special place. In Japanese oral folklore,
ideas such as harmony with nature, selflessness, loyalty, humility and inner purity are expressed
as the main moral values. The oral works of both peoples are distinguished by symbolic images,
adventurous plots, and moral lessons in illuminating the moral relations between man and
society.
This article analyzes the moral values expressed in Uzbek and Japanese oral works, and
their specific features and commonalities are studied on the basis of a comparative approach. The
study analyzes the place of moral values in the cultural thinking of the two peoples, their
educational significance, and the form in which they are preserved today.
Oral works of each nation are a vivid expression of the cultural heritage, historical memory, and
moral views. In particular, moral values, passed down from generation to generation through
fairy tales, legends, proverbs, and epics, shape the national psyche and worldview of the people.
The Uzbek and Japanese peoples, as two independent ethnic units with an ancient history and
rich culture in world civilization, have expressed their own moral criteria, principles of etiquette
and order of social relations in their oral works.
This article reveals the common and different aspects of the two peoples based on a
linguoculturological approach through a comparative analysis of moral values in the oral
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works of the Uzbek and Japanese peoples.
METHODOLOGY
This study used comparative-typological, contextual, semantic and discursive analysis methods.
In the process of analysis, along with Uzbek folk tales, proverbs and epics, Japanese folk tales
(including "Momotaro", "Urashimataro", "The Crane's Gratitude") and folk stories were studied
based on a linguoculturological approach. The images of heroes in folk oral literature, their
moral behavior and value system were considered as the main object of the study. The main
sources for the study were publications of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan and the
Japanese Folklore Research Institute, as well as scientific literature.
RESULTS
The analysis shows that moral values are central to Uzbek and Japanese oral folklore. The
educational ideas formed through the oral traditions of both peoples serve not only as a spiritual
bridge between generations, but also serve to strengthen moral standards in society.
The following moral values are paramount in Uzbek oral folklore:
Respect and obedience to elders
- in fairy tales, the prayers of grandparents and
mother's advice are interpreted as important educational tools;
Hard work and honesty
- for example, in the fairy tale "Zumrad and Qimmat", hard
work is rewarded, laziness is punished;
Justice and integrity
- fair heroes are always rewarded with a positive ending;
Generosity, tolerance and friendship
- social solidarity and kindness between people
are glorified;
Condemnation of lies, envy and arrogance
- in fairy tales such as "Zumrad and
Qimmat", "Golden Watermelon", the moral vices of negative heroes are exposed.
The following values are noteworthy in Japanese folklore:
Respect for nature and harmony
- The balance between man and nature is highlighted
through the images of animals such as the Tanuki (raccoon) and the fox;
Loyalty and selflessness
- Stories such as "The Loyal Samurai" glorify the idea of
sacrificing one's life for others;
Humility and patience
- Perseverance in the face of any trials and difficulties is valued;
Putting the interests of family and community above personal needs
- Collective
values are preferred over individual desires;
Spiritual purification through the pursuit of moral perfection
- Inner purity and
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perfection are promoted as a central idea in many fairy tales.
DISCUSSION
Moral values in Uzbek and Japanese oral folklore are the product of national thinking,
which are inextricably linked with the lifestyle, religious beliefs and historical experience of the
people. In both nations, a morally correct, hardworking, loyal and decent person is depicted as an
ideal person. However, while Japanese folklore places greater emphasis on natural and spiritual
harmony, Uzbek folklore reflects more on social unity, collective moral principles and religious
values (for example, the concepts of prayer, merit, sin). Also, while Japanese fairy tales
often feature animal images and teach moral lessons through them, Uzbek fairy tales focus
mainly on human relationships and customs.
CONCLUSION
Through Uzbek and Japanese folk art, moral values are manifested not only as an
educational tool, but also as an important factor in shaping national thinking. The results of the
study show that both peoples have promoted values that strengthen the moral foundation of
society in their oral art. This study can create a scientific and practical basis for deepening
interethnic cultural ties, studying folk art, and instilling national values in the education
system in the future. The study revealed that Uzbek and Japanese folk art embodies a unique
system of moral values, and in both peoples, the image of a person who is useful to society,
morally pure, decent, and hardworking is promoted through oral art. While Uzbek folk tales
emphasize religious and social values, respect for elders, honesty, and generosity as the main
moral criteria, Japanese folk tales emphasize the principles of humility, loyalty, respect for
nature, and inner harmony.
In the oral works of both nations, moral lessons are taught through symbolic images, allegories,
and the actions of heroes as a means of moral education. These values are closely related to
the historical memory, mentality, and worldview of the people, and remain relevant in
educational and upbringing processes today.
The results of the study showed that there are many commonalities between the moral values
in Uzbek and Japanese folk tales. They are important in strengthening mutual understanding
between different cultures, in understanding national identity, and in educating the younger
generation. In the future, it is expected that research in this area will serve to further study the
didactic and cultural potential of folk art.
The list of used literature
1.
Alpomish. O‘zbek xalq dostoni. – Toshkent: Yozuvchi, 2005.
2.
O‘zbek xalq ertaklari. – Toshkent: G‘afur G‘ulom nomidagi Adabiyot va san’at
nashriyoti, 2010.
3.
Nazarov Q. O‘zbek xalq ijodi. – Toshkent: Fan, 1998.
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4.
Saito H. Japanese Folktales and Morality. – Tokyo University Press, 2013.
5.
Kawai H. The Japanese Psyche: Major Motifs in the Fairy Tales of Japan. Spring
Publications, 1996.
6.
Yanagita K. Japanese Folk Tales. Kodansha International, 2005.
7.
Omonov T. O‘zbek xalq ertaklarida axloqiy g‘oyalar. – Samarqand, 2012.
8.
Matsumae T. Cultural Values in Japanese Folk Narratives. Osaka Cultural Studies, 2011.
9.
Abdullayev A. Qiyosiy folklorshunoslik asoslari. – Toshkent: Fan, 2017.
10.
UNESCO World Folklore Database. www.unesco.org/folklore
