Ryan,
You mention the Naturalists. Have you rea...

2008-06-09T23:20:00.000+09:00

Ryan,
You mention the Naturalists. Have you read "Liberalism in modern Japan : Ishibashi Tanzan and his teachers, 1905-1960" by Sharon H. Nolte (1987)?

In Chapter 2 (“Literature: Shimamura Hōgetsu’s Naturalism and its Liberal Critics”), she discusses how Japanese Naturalism flourished after war w/ Russia (1904-5), how it was intended to be modern, colloquial (genbunitchi), wide in scope, aesthetic and social (rather than in service to the state): how it sought to provide a new morality (in opposition to that provided by state, Confucianism, family/state/gender/social hierarchies): to promote and develop the “kindai jiga”: to advocates the self, instincts, sexual liberation: how it was in fact the “reverse images of the states’model citizen” (68).

The Christian-Naturalist alliance had a social(ist) ethic, an opposed the 日露戦争 war with Russia.

How popular was Naturalist movement? Hard to gauge. It's main publisher was 中央公論, which helped start the new cult of “jiga” self: similar to tabloid gossip, cult of celebrity.

Nolte also discusses Tokutomi Roka and Shimamura Hogetsu, who was orphaned and poor as young man. Hogetsu was born in Shimane-ken. Father, a drunk, burned to death in fire. Attended Waseda. Worked for Waseda-bungaku mag: Oxford and Berlin U from 1902-5: joined Shōyō’s theater group Bungeikyōkai: produced Ibsen play.

According to Tanaka Ōdō, the 3 assertions of the Naturalist movement were: live for the present! fight for unity! and satisfy your desires (83).

Also see:
a)Tatsuo Arima, historian.
b)Ishikawa Takuboku, critic of state
c)Ishibashi Tanzan
d)Hasegawa Tenkei: “shizenha ni tai suru gokai” (in which he argues to replace “authority” w/ “reality”: see 明治文学全集、４３巻).

That is all,
Jackie

Comments on 『BEHOLD MY SWARTHY FACE。』: Statement of Purpose

Ryan,You mention the Naturalists. Have you rea...

Comments on 　『BEHOLD MY SWARTHY FACE。』: Statement of Purpose

Ryan,
You mention the Naturalists. Have you rea...