The Meaning Behind Hayao Miyazaki’s Cleaning Scenes in His Movies

In Hayao Miyazaki's films, cleaning scenes are an integral part of the narrative, often serving as a visual metaphor for the importance of personal responsibility and environmental consciousness. From the broom-wielding heroes of films like *Howl's Moving Castle* to the environmental activism in *The Wind Rises*, these scenes serve a purpose that goes beyond simple plot development. Let's explore why Miyazaki includes cleaning scenes and what they signify in his body of work.

Personal Responsibility and Civic Duty

In *My Neighbor Totoro*, one of Miyazaki's earliest and most beloved films, the Kusakabe sisters, Satsuki and Mei, demonstrate their personal responsibility when they clean up the mud that They had accidentally scattered outside, a scene that highlights the idea of respect for one’s surroundings and the importance of keeping one's environment clean. This is not just about maintaining cleanliness; it is a statement on being conscientious and responsible citizens.

In *Howl's Moving Castle*, the protagonist Sophie wakes up to find that her home and town are in disarray. The house has not been cleaned in months, which leads to a tragedy. This scene serves as a warning about the neglect of one's home and surroundings and the consequences that follow. It underlines the importance of regular cleaning not just for personal health but also for the health of the community.

Environmental Consciousness

Miyazaki’s films often depict a delicate balance between nature and humanity. The cleaning scenes play a crucial role in this balance. In *Porco Rosso*, the protagonist, Porco, plays a crucial role in protecting his home and the surrounding environment from the threats posed by a military aircraft factory. Wiping the muddy tracks from his home and the ground is a symbolic act of preserving the natural landscape.

In *The Wind Rises*, the protagonist Jiro dreams of building airplanes to bring peace and progress, but as the story progresses, he realizes the destructive consequences of his actions. The scenes where he maintains his workshop and ensures that it is clean and well organized serve not just as a necessary skill but also as a personal struggle against the industrialization and destruction that he is inadvertently a part of.

The Cultural Significance of Cleaning Scenes

Cleaning scenes in Miyazaki's films are not just about tidying up; they are cultural markers that resonate with Japanese and broader Asian audiences. The act of cleaning is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, reflecting a respect for tradition, cleanliness, and personal space. Whether it's the meticulous cleaning of Shizuka's room in *Spirited Away* or the daily routine of self-care in *My Neighbor Totoro*, these scenes bring a sense of normalcy and routine, emphasizing the importance of a well-organized and clean living environment.

Miyazaki's films often use these cleaning scenes as a way to bridge the gap between the mundane and the profound. They are moments of reflection, moments where the characters are taken out of their routine to confront larger themes of responsibility and the impact of their actions on the world around them. This reinforces the cultural values of order, respect, and the intrinsic connection between a clean environment and a clean conscience.

The Impact of Cleaning Scenes

The cleaning scenes in Miyazaki's movies are much more than a visual quirk. They serve as powerful tools for communication, conveying deep messages about personal responsibility, environmental stewardship, and the cultural significance of maintaining cleanliness. By weaving these scenes into the fabric of his narratives, Miyazaki encourages viewers to reflect on their own responsibilities and actions, making his films not just entertainment but also vehicles for thoughtful discussion and self-examination.

Furthermore, these scenes help to create a rich and empowering storyline where the characters, often at the end of their journeys, learn to take responsibility not just for themselves but for their surroundings. This is particularly evident in *Flutfish* where Siwa takes on the mantle of environmental stewardship, not through overtly preachy dialogue but through her daily acts of cleaning and restoration.

In conclusion, the cleaning scenes in Hayao Miyazaki's films are more than just a stylistic choice; they are a way to emphasize the importance of personal responsibility and environmental consciousness. These are not just aesthetically pleasing scenes but profound reflections on the relationship between human beings and their environment, making the films both timeless and deeply relevant to contemporary concerns.