Kobayashi Takiji’s The Cannery Boat (Kanikōsen) tells the story of a group of oppressed fishermen working on a sardine factory ship in early 20th-century Japan. Through the lens of their daily lives, the novel presents a vivid picture of the cruel working conditions under which they labor and the struggles they face against capitalist exploitation.

The Setting

The narrative takes place on a sardine processing industrial ship. This ship goes far from the coast to gather fish, prepare them, and then return to port as part of a bigger sardine canning operation in Japan.

For the workers, the factory is a floating nightmare. All of these laborers are low-income fishermen, many of whom have no other source of income.

The Workers’ Struggles

The manufacturing ship’s workers are treated like robots and made to put in long hours in poor conditions. They don’t have much room to rest because they stay in small spaces. The work itself is hazardous and taxing.

In terrible circumstances and with tremendous pressure, the men are compelled to capture and prepare sardines. When they make minor errors or don’t reach their quotas, they are frequently thrashed. Because the factory owners were more focused on making money than ensuring the safety of their employees, they neglected their mental and physical health.

As the story goes on, it becomes evident that the workers are malnourished and exhausted. They don’t get much sleep and work day and night. Some employees get sick, yet they are unable to get the care they need.

The workers on the ship are forced to put up with the horrendous living conditions, which are claustrophobic and dirty. In the meantime, the owners of the factories are constantly searching for methods to boost output, even if it means putting the employees to the limit.

The Main Character

Tetsu, a laborer who represents the pain of the working class, is the main character of the story. Tetsu has been employed on the industrial ship for a while and is a fisherman. He stands in for the average worker, who is underprivileged, overworked, and fighting for their life.

Tetsu grows increasingly frustrated with his treatment as the narrative progresses. As he observes the toll the work takes on his coworkers’ bodies and minds, his sense of injustice intensifies.

Tetsu’s internal conflict is similar to that of the other employees. Despite feeling helpless to alter their situation, they are all aware that they are being taken advantage of. They remain silent out of fear of punishment and the prospect of losing their jobs.

But as the narrative progresses, Tetsu starts to have doubts about the system and recognizes that the workers can’t live like this any longer without retaliating.

The Cruelty of the Overseers

A team of supervisors manages the manufacturing ship and is in charge of ensuring that the employees reach their targets. These supervisors are harsh and merciless, frequently disciplining employees for their errors.

They treat the workers like tools to be utilized for the factory’s profit, controlling them with brutality and terror.

The supervisors frequently vent their resentment on the employees by holding them accountable for any delays or mishaps. Regular beatings are inflicted on the workers, and any who attempt to fight face even worse penalties.

The way the workers are handled by those who are supposed to be looking out for their welfare is among the most distressing aspects of their situation. Rather, the overseers consider them disposable.

Tetsu’s Awakening

Tetsu becomes indignant as he observes the suffering of his coworkers. He understands that their current way of life is not sustainable. The employees must advocate for themselves and defend their rights. Tetsu gradually awakens, and first he is reluctant to act.

He fears the repercussions of questioning the establishment. But as long as the abuse persists, he is more resolved to change.

After seeing one of the employees being brutally beaten one evening, Tetsu makes the decision that enough is enough. He starts discussing organizing and opposing the plant owners and overseers with the other employees.

The other employees are initially dubious and terrified, but Tetsu persuades them that they cannot put up with the mistreatment any longer.

The Workers’ Rebellion

The workers eventually band together and resolve to act. They start to protest how they are treated and decide they would no longer put up with the unfavorable working conditions. They plan a walkout, calling for more humane working conditions, better compensation, and better treatment.

The plant owners and supervisors are no longer feared by the workforce. Even if it means being punished and subjected to violence, they are adamant about standing up for their rights.

The workers encounter numerous challenges, and the rebellion is not simple. In an attempt to weaken the workers’ determination, the plant owners and supervisors use violence and intimidation. They are committed to putting an end to the uprising. The workers, however, are together and will not give up. The workers start to realize that their strength is in their unity as the power of collective action becomes clear.

The Aftermath

The factory owners are putting more and more pressure on the workers as they persist in their rebellion. The personnel are aware that they are risking everything as the situation gets more hazardous. They are committed to carrying on the struggle for justice in spite of this. Ultimately, there is no simple way to put an end to the uprising.

Many suffer as a result of their activities, and the workers are compelled to make severe sacrifices. But the narrative closes on a hopeful note. They have become more conscious as a result of the workers’ insurrection.

They now understand that they are not helpless and that they are capable of defending themselves.

The novel concludes with a sense of unresolved conflict, highlighting how continuous the fight for workers’ rights is. Even while the workers have won some battles, the greater system of capitalist exploitation still exists. In addition to denouncing the injustices the workers endure, the novel’s depiction of their struggles serves as a call to action for coming generations.

In addition to being a tale about a group of fishermen’s hardships, The Cannery Boat offers a more comprehensive critique of capitalism’s dehumanizing impacts and the value of communal efforts in the pursuit of social justice. Takiji depicts the brutal reality of labor and the necessity of unity in the face of injustice through Tetsu and his coworkers.