A Hidden Fire: Russian and Japanese Cultural Encounters, 1868-1926(Studies in Social Inequality)

This work is the first in English to chart cultural relations between Japan and Russia from 1868 to 1926. Japan's ties to Europe and the United States after the Meiji Restoration of 1868 are well known, but those between Japan and Russia are not. In this book, scholars from East and West present a record of significant contacts between Japan and Russia in literature, performing and visual arts, and religion. They show how the growth of cultural relations overrode shifting political concerns. Besides outlining the problems when one culture tries to penetrate another, they suggest new ways of viewing relations between culture and power. Topics covered include the influences of Turgenev, Gogol, and Dostoyevsky on Japanese fiction, criticism, and style; why Chekhov's plays became central to Japanese theatre Japanese interest in Russian art; and the work of Father Nikolai in Japan.

Table of Contents:
Introduction J. Thomas Rimer; Part I. Fictional Literature: 1. Japanese perceptions of Russian literature in the Meiji and Taisho eras Mochizuki Tetsuo; 2. The Russian role in the creation of the first Japanese novel, Futabatei Shimei's Ukigumo Janet Walker; 3. Kobayashi and Dostoyevsky Paul Anderer; 4. Russian literature and the evolution of Japanese literary language and style Hatano Kazuhito; Part II. The Performing Arts: 5. Russian-Japanese connections in drama David G. Goodman; 6. Osanai Kaoru's views on Russian theatre Matsumoto Shinko; 7. Chekhov and the beginnings of modern Japanese theatre, 1910-1928 J. Thomas Rimer; Part III. Mutual Images: Russia and Japan: 8. Cross-cultural currents in Art Brenda G. Jordan; 9. Varvara Bubnova as a vanguard artist in Japan Omuka Toshiharu; 10. Russo-Japanese war triptychs: chastising a powerful enemy Elizabeth de Sabato Swinton; 11. Yamashita Rin and the development of icon painting in Meiji Japan Yamanashi Emiko; Part IV. Cultural Contacts: 12. The postures of culture Douglas R. Weiner; 13. The Japanese orthodox church in the Meiji era Naganawa Mitsuo; 14. Japanese in Russian literature: transforming identities Barbara Heldt; Part V. The Historical Context: 15. Competitive exchanges Stefan Tanaka; 16. Russian-Japanese relations: some reflections on political and cultural tendencies Vladislav N. Goregylad; 17. Japanese-Russian relations and the United States, 1855-1930 Wada Haruki; 18. The Japanese view of Russia before and after the Meiji restorations Togawa Tsuguo; Part VI. Final Considerations: 19. Bringing American in Blair A. Ruble; 20. Culture and nationality Nakamura Yoshikazu.