Reverberações de um Coração Moderno

This paper explores the intersections between Natsume Sōseki’s novel Kokoro and Yorushika’s song “Hitchcock,” analyzing their intertextual engagement with themes of isolation, identity, and societal tension across Japanese history. Kokoro (1914), set during the Meiji era, examines the alienation and identity crisis emerging from Japan’s modernization and the collision of Western and traditional values. Yorushika’s “Hitchcock” brings Sōseki’s themes into a contemporary setting, where the disillusionment of modern youth reflects Japan's enduring struggle with authenticity and self-expression in a globalized world. Through a close reading of lyrics and prose, this paper employs Linda Hutcheon’s theory of intertextuality to reveal how Yorushika’s music translates Kokoro’s insights into an auditory experience, bridging historical and modern expressions of Japanese identity. By revisiting Sōseki’s narrative in a new medium, Yorushika revitalizes his exploration of personal and societal conflicts, making them accessible to a new generation and underscoring the power of adaptation in Japanese literature and music.