DIJ ISSN 1433-6685

June 2004 NEWSLETTER 22 Information from the German Institute for Japanese Studies

Katsushika Hokusai (1760–1849) often “This is a serious story!” strike humorous notes. This (self-)iron- Religions and Manga ic approach to religion has been contin- ued to the present day. Thus, Tezuka by Monika Schrimpf Osamu in his Buddha biography de- picts a disappointed Buddha sur- rounded by crocodiles who must learn lthough a separate category of ple and murderer Gao in Hi no tori, for that he cannot relinquish his life for “religious comics” is not instance, gives a concrete form to the them because consuming him would A known to the world of Japa- fundamental Buddhist teaching that inflict diarrhea and meningitis upon nese manga, many of the comics deal “all life is suffering” and illustrates Te- them (fig. 1). The comics by Ôkawa with religious topics. Especially manga zuka’s personal response to the ques- Ryûhô, the head of the new religious aimed at youth use motifs that recall tion of how one can uphold (or gain) a movement Kôfuku no Kagaku, also religious myths and apocalyptical im- positive attitude toward life despite contain elements of humor: in Tengoku agery, such as end-of-the-world vi- tragic circumstances. no mon (The Gate to Heaven) the narra- sions, the emergence of a savior, or the Comics with educational or mis- tor is surrounded by cherub-like be- fight between good and evil. Others sionary intentions deal with various ings in the chapter “Love.” One of present important figures from reli- aspects of the teachings, practices and these “angels” immediately realizes gious history, religious concepts, or history of a religion. To mention just a the explanations of the virtue “love” in practices. The thematic diversity re- few examples, manga biographies de- practice by beginning to wash the nar- flects various intentions: Manga can ex- pict the life of Buddha or other exem- rator’s forehead with a tiny cloth, press personal religiosity or the religio- plary Buddhists in Japanese history; while another is buried under a moun- philosophical reflections of individual introductions explain the central texts tain of balls with ai (love) written on artists, but they can also aim at reli- of Japanese Buddhism, such as the Lo- them (fig. 2). gious education or represent a reli- tus Sutra; self-help books illustrate the What makes manga an attractive gious community. The most renowned relevance of Buddhist teachings for medium as a transmitter of religious example of the former is the manga cre- coping with everyday life; manga of contents? And what effect does the art ated by the veteran author Tezuka Osa- new religious communities describe form have on these contents? Has only mu (1928–1989). The stories in his chef their teachings and systems of reli- the aesthetic of the pictorial representa- d’oeuvre Hi no tori (The Phoenix) and gious practice; still others are dedicat- tions changed in comparison to the the multivolume biography of the Bud- ed to religious customs such as annual past by adapting to the zeitgeist? It dha Budda reflect his own understand- festivals. seems to me that the emphasis of the ing of the historical Buddha as well as The relationship between religion messages has shifted together with the topics such as reincarnation, immortal- and caricature or illustrated stories is aesthetic adaptations. Manga mediate ity, and the meaning of life and death. in no way a recent development: the The moving biography ouof the crip- earliest examples of caricature draw- ings have been found in Bud- Table of Contents dhist temples near Nara. Many of the scrolls thought to be the precursors to contemporary Title Story 1 manga were created in a reli- DIJ Events 3 gious context or deal with re- ligis issues. The most well- DIJ Publications 4 known examples of religious “cartoons” include the scrolls Conference Reports 5 Chôjûgiga (12th century) by the Book Review 5 monk Toba. One of the scrolls shows animals parodying Bud- Other Matters / Outlook 6 dhist monks through their hu- man-like appearance. Other scrolls from this period portray German Institute for Japanese Studies life in the six Buddhist worlds Managing editor: Matthias Hoop in a grotesque fashion, as for 3-3-6 Kudan-Minami example, in the case of the hun- Chiyoda-ku, 102-0074, gry ghosts. Also the Zen Bud- Tel.: +81-3-3222-5077 dhist drawings created since Fax: +81-3-3222-5420 Fig. 1. Not for crocodile consumption? Tezuka Osamu’s the 17th century as well as the E-mail: [email protected] © Kôdansha disappointed Buddha. folkloric woodblock prints of Homepage: http:Âwww.dijtokyo.org

DIJ Newsletter JUNE 2004 1 Fig. 2. In “The Gate to Heaven” angelic creatures wash Fig. 5. The composed Buddha and his choleric the narrator’s forehead and are buried under the weight rival. © Kôdansha of love. © Kôfuku no Kagaku Shuppan Especially in the comics created by Kôfuku no Kagaku the possibilities of visual representation are used to illus- religious messages in the form of nar- the historical Buddha mostly with a trate the teachings of the religious com- rations, which are focused on people benevolent and acquiescent mien. This munity. Quite often the same faces and their emotions. Manga are there- impression is reinforced by the con- transmigrate through ages and places, fore particularly suited for the presen- trast with the people surrounding the e.g., from Buddha’s lifetime in India to tation of biographies and hagiogra- Buddha who respond to his compo- the early modern age in and phies in particular. The specific sure with extreme emotionality: into contemporary Japan. This enables drawing techniques of Japanese com- whether it is the murderer Angulimâla the author to illustrate the idea of rein- ics amplify this tendency since they fo- who cannot bear Buddha’s serene ex- cus the reader’s attention rather to- pression and reacts hypnotized, wards individual persons than on the scared, unsure and, finally, with anger presentation of certain scenes. In long (fig. 4), or Buddha’s cholericly scream- sequences of picture frames, “close ing rival Gayâ Kâshyapa (fig. 5). On the ups” of facial expressions (fig. 3), ges- other hand, the young Buddha in Ôka- tures, body postures and movements wa Ryûhô’s Budda saitan (The Return of are presented without accompanying the Buddha) appears to have a sad and text in order to build up tension or cre- wise look; his body emaciated (fig. 6). ate the illusion of motion. In addition, And the face of Nobori Ryûta’s the focus on physiognomic details Nichiren in a manga biography pub- lends the protagonists their dynamic- lished by Sunmark bespeaks tenacity emotional expressivity, which is typi- and determination (fig. 7). In addition cal of comics. In this manner, a few to allowing pointed characterizations pages suffice to characterize personali- of personalities, the representation of ties and sketch emotional develop- emotions such as surprise, annoyance, ments. Due to their visual qualities fear, etc., contributes to the “humaniza- such images are especially easy to tion” of the lofty protagonists, and thus remember and comprehend. Biograph- to bring them closer to the reader and Fig. 6. The haggard Buddha by Ôkawa ical comics in particular offer the op- facilitate the reader’s identification û ô © Kôfuku no Kagaku Shuppan portunity to emphasize certain charac- with them. In this way, the characters Ry h . teristic features through their visual of Buddhist religious history become representation. For example, in his alive and receive specific personalities. Buddha biography Tezuka portrays

Fig. 7. Nichiren’s features are marked by deci- siveness in a manga drawn by Nobori Ryûta. © Fig. 3. A monk accompanying Nichiren be- Kino Kazuyo- comes aware of an enemy sneaking up. A shi, Shiratori pearl of sweat symbolizes his fear. © Kino Haruhiko, No- Kazuyoshi, Shiratori Haruhiko, Nobori Fig. 4. Buddha defeats the murderer Angu- bori Ryûta, Ryûta, Sunmark limâla with his gaze. © Kôdansha Sunmark

2 DIJ Newsletter JUNE 2004 even make the reader laugh. But frivol- was aimed at providing the broader ity must not be allowed to get the up- Japanese public with information on per hand. Because, as his rival, Gâya the most recent developments in the Kashyapa, remarks on Buddha’s field in Germany. The keynote lecture friendship with the crocodiles, “such a was given by Gerhard Cromme, head thing may happen in a manga for kids, of the German Corporate Governance but this is a serious story!” Commission and of ThyssenKrupp’s supervisory board. The lecture was fol- References: lowed by a panel discussion where Kino Kazuyoshi (editor); Shiratori well-known experts from the scientific Haruhiko (author); Nobori Ryûta (il- community (Yoshimori Masaru, Yoko- lustrator). Manga Nichiren nyûmon: hama National University) and from a Hokekyô ni junjita kyûdôsha no shôgai. multinational enterprise (Wolfgang Tôkyô: Sanmâku Shuppan, 2001 Stegh, Representative and Managing Ôkawa Ryûhô. Budda saitan. Manga de Director BASF Japan, Ltd.) exchanged miru ‘Kôfuku no Kagaku’ 3. Tôkyô: their views with Gerhard Cromme. Kôfuku no Kagaku Shuppan, 2001 Ogino Hiroshi, senior researcher of the (first ed. 1993) daily newspaper Asahi Shinbun chaired Ôkawa Ryûhô. Tengoku no mon. Manga the discussion. de miru ‘Kôfuku no Kagaku’ [1]. The second day – Saturday, Febru- ô ô ô Fig. 8. After her journey to the other world, a T ky : K fuku no Kagaku Shuppan, ary 21 – was dedicated to scientific ex- new life begins for the young Ai-chan. 2002 (first ed. 1992) change and the comparison of recent © Kôfuku no Kagaku Shuppan Tezuka Osamu. Budda 11, Tôkyô: developments in Japan and Germany. Kôdansha, 2003 (first ed. 1983) In a different location – the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Indus- carnation and concurrently emphasize try – eight specialists on corporate gov- the claim to timelessness and univer- ernance issues, Matsuda Takeshi (Meiji sality. The diverse utilizations of the DIJ EVENTS University), Yoshimori Masaru (Yoko- manga medium by this particular com- hama State University), Michael munity indicate a tendency to illustrate Nietsch (University of Mainz), Seki abstract teachings with stories. For ex- Takaya (J-IRIS), Marcel Tyrell (Univer- ample, in “The Gate to Heaven” (Ten- Conference sity of Frankfurt), Miyajima Hideaki goku no mon) the four basic principles (Waseda University), Gregory Jackson of “love,” “knowledge,” “reflection,” Changing Corporate Governance (RIETI) and Kubo Katsuyuki (Waseda and “further development” are ex- Systems – Germany and Japan in University), discussed with the orga- plained in four stories. The chapter on Comparison nizers and approximately fifty partici- love depicts how the hardened heart of (Tôkyô, February 20–21, 2004) pants questions relating to the role of a young, unfeeling woman is changed corporate governance in different sys- through an accident that brings her This two-day conference, jointly orga- tems, legal changes, the link between close to her death and thus to the spir- nized by the German Institute for financial system and corporate gover- itual beings of other cosmic dimen- Japanese Studies, the Japan Investor nance, and the linkage between corpo- sions. She learns that “to love” means Research and Investor Support, Inc. rate governance and employment. not to receive love but to “give love” (J-IRIS), and the Research Institute of The high number of participants and she is given the chance to live a Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI), and requests for further information as new life which she leads as a new per- sought to compare structures and well as offers for further cooperation is son (fig. 8). The protagonist’s attrac- mechanisms of corporate governance. indicative of the conference’s success- tiveness and her horror as she becomes To our understanding, corporate gov- ful approach to the topic. The papers aware of her apparent death, her grad- ernance stands for the ways and means will be published in a special issue of a ual change of attitude under the guid- used by investors to secure their in- corporate-governance related journal ance of a heavenly teacher called Mercy vestment in a corporation, and to influ- to ensure that the discussions reach a (quite possibly the god Mercury), and ence management to act according to wide audience. her happiness about returning to earth, their interests. In the German and Jap- draw the reader into the story and am- anese context, “investor” would not plify the lasting imprint of the mes- only mean the shareholders of a corpo- sage. ration, but also other stakeholders like Workshop By mediating religious beliefs and employees, suppliers, and other ideals in stories, religious manga con- groups. The research on corporate gov- tinue an old tradition of Buddhist ernance is still dominated by compari- Consultation, Counseling, and Heal- scriptures: both the Jâtaka narratives son between the Anglo-Saxon and oth- ing in Japanese New Religious and about the previous existences of the er systems, whereas Germany and New Spirituality Movements Buddha as well as the parables of the Japan are often seen as similar. Thus, (Tôkyô, March 13, 2004) Lotus Sutra illustrate certain virtues this event is considered to be especially and ideals in the form of short and at important since it compares two sup- Many of the new religious move- times dramatic stories. posedly similar but in fact quite differ- ments in Japan offer their members in- After all, religious manga remain ent arrangements. dividual assistance to deal with prob- media of entertainment. They spread a The first part of the conference was lems encountered throughout life. This new light on legends, they captivate a half-day symposium on the after- support may range from moral guid- through their stories full of love, be- noon of February 20 held in the Tôkyô ance, consultation on daily affairs and trayal, horror and beauty, and they can Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It individual counseling to resolve con-

DIJ Newsletter JUNE 2004 3 flicts, to the healing of physical illness Moreover, it was discussed whether of Enatsu Yoshiki (Hitotsubashi Uni- and injuries. In particular the so-called terms like psychotherapy or counsel- versity), T. R. Sareen (Professor emeri- new spirituality movements (shin reisei ing are appropriate to describe these tus, University of New Delhi) and undô) deal with the “spiritual” health activities in each respective case. Selçuk Esenbel (Bogaziçi3 University, of their clients. Istanbul) analyzed the repercussions of The aim of this workshop was to the war in other Asian countries. As discuss the forms, contents and inten- Enatsu Yoshiki’s presentation demon- tions of religious “life assistance” from Conference strated, the war that was led mainly on different perspectives. The papers pre- Chinese territory, triggered reforms in sented several approaches to these that he explained by analyzing problems as practiced by a number of The Centennial of a Historical Wa- the micro level of local administration religious groups. Based on the field- tershed: Legacies of the Russo-Japa- in Northeastern China (Manchuria). work of the speakers, the papers of the nese War, 1904-05 Sareen and Esenbel in their presenta- ô ô first section discussed the topic of (T ky , March 27, 2004) tions looked into reactions in India and consultation, guidance or therapeutic the Ottoman Empire, respectively, modes in Sôka Gakkai (Levi McLaugh- The foundation of the modern Japa- where – at least temporarily – enthusi- lin, Kokugakuin University), Shinnyo- nese state was characterized by fre- astic hope for Japan as a potential liber- en, PL Kyôdan (Monika Schrimpf, DIJ) quent warfare. However, even though ator from Western colonial rule was ev- and GLA (Christal Whelan, Nichi- the foundation of the Japanese - ident. Due to the Japanese policy of bunken/Boston University). Mc- state was induced by the penetration of colonizing and eventually annexing Laughlin concluded that in Sôka Gak- European and US- into , in a few years, however, enthu- kai, therapeutic effects depend East , Japan, prior to 1941, fought siasm waned, and disillusionment completely upon the members’ own re- wars mainly against its Asian neigh- with Japan soon set in. In Japanese his- sources and social support at the grass- bors. Two wars against Russia toriography, these later developments roots level rather than the intentions of (1904/05 and 1918–1922) and a small are paid little attention, and thus the a religious leadership. According to skirmish with Germany in 1914 were Russo-Japanese War is still over- Schrimpf, horizontal relationships the only exceptions. However, on the whelmingly judged as positive in among believers are a primary source whole, no war was of equal signifi- present-day Japan, as one commenta- of personal assistance in crises and cance for the future course of Japan’s tor from the floor noted. The lively dis- conflicts also in the Shinnyo-en and PL development than the Russo-Japanese cussion demonstrated that these kinds Kyôdan movements. However, equal- War of 1904/05. Japan’s victory over of political-historical questions, which ly important is the strongly moral con- what had been considered the world’s also make up the background of the sultation given by religious authorities leading military power demonstrated ongoing history textbook controversy, who are regarded as capable of con- Japan’s development into a military are still topical issues that generate necting with a transcendent reality. In force to be reckoned with; a force, much interest. GLA, on the other hand, actual psycho- which was soon recognized as a “first- therapist techniques of introspection rate power” by the imperialist coun- are practiced in which the present lead- tries. Japan’s victory over Czarist Rus- er Takahashi Keiko plays a crucial role. sia resulted in completely new notions DIJ PUBLICATIONS In addition to these empirical stud- of Japan’s role in world , but ies, the papers of the second section also a – though short-lived – enthusi- touched upon the term “spirituality” asm for Japan in many Asian countries, Peter J. Hartmann: Konsumgenos- and its practical application in the field where Japan was considered a poten- senschaften in Japan: Alternative of healthcare. Horie Norichika (Uni- tial liberator from colonial rule. oder Spiegelbild der Gesellschaft? versity of the Sacred Heart, Tôkyô) in- The conference “Legacies of the Russo- Entwicklungen und Strukturen am troduced the history of the term and Japanese War, 1904–05,” coorganized Beispiel der Präfektur Ôsaka [Japa- emphasized that the term is used in by Sven Saaler from the DIJ and Rolf- nese Co-ops: Alternative or Mirror different meanings in the fields of reli- Harald Wippich from Sophia Universi- of Society? Its Development and gious studies, psychology and media. ty, explored questions relating to the Structure Exemplified by a Case Especially in the realm of new spiritu- consequences of the Russo-Japanese Study of O1saka]. Munich: Iudicium, ality movements, the katakana word su- War for Japan’s position in world poli- 2003 (Monographien aus dem pirichuaritî is used to disassociate from tics and Japan’s ambivalent role as an Deutschen Institut für Japanstudi- kanji compounds using the word rei emerging colonial power on the one en, vol. 29), 628 pp. (ISBN 3-89129- and its association with spirits of the hand, and the hopes in Asia for Japan 507-3) dead. Practical consequences of no- as a liberator on the other. After an tions of spirituality for concepts of overview of the historical place of the Japanese Co-ops are providers of safe healthcare were the topic of the paper Russo-Japanese War, given in the key- food to millions of housewives orga- by Furusawa Yumi (University of note speech by Tsuzuki Chûshichi nized in small groups. They perceive Tôkyô), who talked about the growing (Professor emeritus, Hitotsubashi Uni- themselves as “schools of ,” awareness of the need for spiritual care versity), Inaba Chiharu (Meijô Univer- “the housewife’s window to society,” among psychological counselors in sity), Igor Saveliev (Niigata Universi- and “instruments for the creation of hospitals, particularly those hospitals ty) and Lee Eun-Jeung (University of new local communities”; in short, an affiliated with religious institutions. Halle-Wittenberg) explored the conse- antithesis to industrial society – at One incentive for this development is quences of the Russo-Japanese War for least, this is what Japanese research the American chaplain system. the countries involved, including Ko- would have liked us to think in the The final discussions gave careful con- rea, whose independence was one of past. sideration to the different motives be- the main issues on the eve of the out- The reality, however, is quite differ- hind consultation, healing or similar break of war. In the second panel of this ent: almost completely ignored by re- activities in religious movements. one-day conference, the presentations searchers, from the beginning Japanese

4 DIJ Newsletter JUNE 2004 wan Independence Party”) on Japan’s the Kokuryûkai eventually did con- neighbors, and several linked presen- tribute to a large degree to Japanese tations on Japan written by Isa Ducke expansionism, but in the early years of on “Citizens’ Groups in Japan: Internet its existence it worked intensively for Use and ‘Success,’” Iris Wieczorek’s ar- Sino-Japanese cooperation against ticle on “Can the Internet Propel the Russia. However, in the end, regional- Political and Social Role of Japanese ist concepts of cooperation fell victim NGOs? A Case Study of Anti-Dam Ac- to the temptations of national-imperi- tivism in Japan,” and Leslie M. Tkach- alist expansion. Similarly, Itoh Kawasaki on “Japanese Candidates Mayumi in her presentation on Tôya- Online in 2001.” These papers are fol- ma Mitsuru and his relation to Sun Yat- lowed by a summary of the discussions Sen and Chiang Kai-Shek, and Dick and conclusions (Isa Ducke and Leslie Stegewerns (Ôsaka Sangyô University) M. Tkach-Kawasaki). in his presentation on Sugimori Kôjirô The volume is available from the explored central figures in Sino-Japa- DIJ in Tôkyô. nese relations and their ambivalent roles, which to date have not been sys- tematically analyzed by historical re- search. In the panel discussion it be- CONFERENCE came clear that due to a strong emphasis on Japanese expansionism, REPORTS early forms of Asian still Co-ops extended their activities to a require further consideration in histor- wide range of areas including health ical research, and many topics appear care, housing, insurance, etc., and their Annual Meeting, open to discussion and systematic re- member bases, world views, aims, and search. strategies vary conspicuously. For the Association for Asian first time, the present study attempts to Studies (AAS) look at the Japanese Co-op system in its (San Diego, March 4–7, 2004) entirety and arrives at some rather less BOOK REVIEW spectacular conclusions. The Annual Meeting of the Associa- tion for Asian Studies (AAS) held in Isa Ducke (ed.): E-Democracy in East San Diego, California, consisted of Wolfgang Seifert and Asa-Bettina Asia? How the Internet Affects Poli- more than two hundred panels where Wuthenow (eds.): Anbauten Um- tics and Civil Society in Japan, South a broad variety of topics was dis- bauten: Beiträge zur Japan-For- Korea, and Taiwan. Munich: Iudici- cussed, with “border-crossing” as the schung; Festgabe für Wolfgang um, 2004 (Miscellanea aus dem central topic uniting (or transcending) Schamoni zum 60. Geburtstag von Deutschen Institut für Japanstudi- the disciplines as well as various areas seinen Schülern, Mitarbeitern und en, vol. 17), 119 pp. (ISSN 0941- of Asian Studies. Not only several of Kollegen [Extensions Reconstruc- 1321) the official border-crossing sessions, tions: Essays in Japanese Studies; but also many of the other panels dealt Dedicated to Wolfgang Schamoni New technologies offer new network- with questions relating to Asian re- in Honor of His Sixtieth Birthday ing opportunities that may affect the gionalism or Asian diaspora, but also from His Students, Coworkers, and involvement of a broader audience. A with topics such as “The Global Soy- Colleagues]. Munich: Iudicium, workshop held at the DIJ in 2003 dis- bean.” 2003, 480 pp. (ISBN 3-89129-733-5) cussed the ways such technologies – Sven Saaler from the DIJ participat- especially the Internet – affect the polit- ed in panel 210 with the title “Japanese Not only the essay “Ein kleines lexi- ical involvement of citizens in elections Views on Sino-Japanese Relations in kographisches Ôgai-Bouquet” [A Lit- and local government initiatives, as the Early Twentieth Century: Reassess- tle Lexicographical Ôgai Bouquet] well as NGOs and citizens’ groups. The ments of Japan’s Pan-Asianism.” The (Irmela Hijiya-Kirschnereit and Jürgen workshop looked at the various tools panel, organized by Itoh Mayumi (Uni- Stalph) but also the Festschrift as a employed and how effective these are. versity of Nevada, Las Vegas), ex- whole is a flower bouquet for Wolf- Discussions dealt with the impact of plored Sino-Japanese relations from gang Schamoni on the occasion of his the Internet on a variety of political the angle of Japanese Pan-Asianists, sixtieth birthday. The collection of aca- actors, including political parties and who worked for Sino-Japanese cooper- demic articles, translations, literary candidates, mainstream and minori- ation, but in historiography are usually pieces, fieldwork reports and essays by ties, non-governmental organizations interpreted merely as forerunners of forty authors was published to honor (NGOs), the vast majority of citizens, expansionism. In his paper “Pan-Asian the accomplishments of Schamoni un- and small citizens’ groups with special Societies in Prewar Japanese Foreign der whose guidance the Department of concerns. Relations: Uchida Ryôhei and the Japanese Studies at the University of The results of this workshop are as- Kokuryûkai,” Saaler tried to shed Heidelberg was established in 1985. sembled in a short collection of articles. some light on the role of small political The majority of the contributions deal It includes papers written by Lee Eun- pressure groups (seiji kessha) in early with Japanese literature, Schamoni’s Jeung (“Netizens and South Korean twentieth-century Japan, of which the main research topic, but the volume Politics: Citizens’ Power during the Kokuryûkai (Amur Society or Black also reflects the variety of his other in- Presidential Election 2002”) and Dragon Society) is probably the most terests. In its six chapters on “Litera- Chung Peichi (“The Local Dimension notorious one, but has not yet been ture,” “Translation and Language,” of Identity Construction in a Web- studied in depth, neither in Japan nor “ and Society,” “Politics and Based Political Organization: The Tai- in Japanese studies. Saaler argued that History,” “Language Studies and Di-

DIJ Newsletter JUNE 2004 5 dactics of Japanese” and “Literary At- also or should even irritate, and who gang Schamoni,” as the author Otto tempts and Essays” we find to a lesser warns of translations which are too en- Putz calls his German texts inspired by extent articles on cultural, social, and gaged in smoothing out differences in Japanese haiku. Also amusing are his historical issues. Appended at the end form and content in order to meet the versions of Zen kôan, which challenge of the collection is a comprehensive list expectations of the (German) reader, the readers philosophically: “Wie of Schamoni’s publications. since much of cultural difference is klingt es, wenn man ein Haiku in einen Fourteen of the forty essays are in thus assimilated and lost. Teich wirft? Hängt der Klang vom Al- the chapter “Literature,” and six of In the third chapter of the book, ter des Teichs ab?” [What does it sound these fourteen are translations. Special “Culture and Society,” the tendency to like when a haiku is thrown into a emphasis appears to have been given relate literary themes and production pond? Does the sound depend upon to translations from and discussions of to social and cultural contexts is re- the age of the pond?] (p. 469). the genre of shaseibun with writers such markable, particularly in Hilaria Göss- The collection is interesting due to as Takahama Kyoshi, Tokutomi Roka, mann’s contribution on issues of iden- its diversity. However, its strong and and Nagatsuka Takashi. Asa-Bettina tity in the autobiographic works of the insightful points are in the various con- Wuthenow’s article (regrettably placed Japanese-Korean writer Yû Miri, but nections made by most authors be- toward the end of this chapter as num- also in an essay on the lyrics of the pop tween literature/language and the so- ber 13) lucidly contextualizes this group Tôkyô Pudding (Tôkyô purin), cial and historical context wherein genre historically and with regard to texts that, as Manuel Metzler points texts are produced. literary studies. Further translations as out, mirror the bursting of the Japanese (Andrea Germer) well as essays that contain large por- bubble economy. In the same chapter, tions of translations from the Meiji pe- librarian studies on the Alt-Japan-Kata- riod until today provide insights into log [Old-Japan Catalog] (Britta Wolder- ethnographic fields (Momotarô) and ing) contextualize and historicize their OTHER MATTERS/ present several literary figures (Hotta objects of inquiry. Lastly, an essay on Yoshie, Mori Ôgai, Ikezawa Natsuki, the ethical issue on how to deal with OUTLOOK Inoue Hisashi). The translation of cultural difference in intercultural con- Ikezawa Natsuki’s “Reports of the flicts in the workplace is presented by Bus” (pp. 121–137) is particularly en- Akira Takenaka. joyable. It consists of twelve “Reports,” The following chapter deals with one to two pages long, about various very diverse historical and political Celebrating a Change funny, grotesque, and surprising questions in Japanese studies. Tempo- of Directorship events all related to a peculiar bus. The ral focus is on the Meiji period and on (Tôkyô, July 1, 2004) “Reports” are taken from the novel and early Japanese socialism or the begin- political satire Aufstieg und Fall des Ma- nings of the women’s movement in Ja- Irmela Hijiya-Kirschnereit’s eight-year cias Guili [Rise and Fall of Macias Guili] pan. The political situation of Okina- term of office as director of the German that was translated by Otto Putz into wa, a historical report on Russia by Institute of Japanese Studies will come German in 2002. (For further informa- Japanese who were shipwrecked in the to an end on September 30, 2004. The tion on the writer and a review of the Edo period, a German image of Japan change of directorship will be celebrat- book see Lisette Gebhardt in Japanfor- from 1860, or the literary representa- ed on July 1, 2004, at the Suntory Hall, schung: Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft für tion of the Japanese modernization Tôkyô. Detailed information will ap- Japanforschung, 2002,2, pp. 28–31.) Oth- process in depictions of the city of pear in the next DIJ Newsletter (num- ô ô er Japanese writers such as Murakami T ky are other themes that are further ber 23). Haruki and Natsume Sôseki as well as elaborated. Exciting reading is Ulrike discussions on literary theory and the Wöhr’s contribution on New Women genre of mass literature and on the de- and journalistic strategies in the Taishô Film Presentation velopment of rhetoric in Japan are also period. Wöhr traces the ways women covered. Given the eminence of prize- could, for the first time, establish a po- winning female authors in modern sition as writers in the discursive pub- “Shugen – Hagurosan Akinomine” Japanese literature, it is unfortunate lic, where previously they only had (June 22, 2004, 6 p.m., location: Maison that no female writer was included in been depicted as objects. Franco-Japonaise, Tôkyô) this chapter. The fifth chapter “Language Stud- The authors of the second chapter ies and Didactics of Japanese” contains In cooperation with the Maison Fran- “Translation and Language” deal mainly contributions by former or co-Japonaise the DIJ will present the mainly with sociolinguistics and trans- present Japanese language teachers at film “Shugen – Hagurosan Akinomi- lation issues. The necessity to consider the Department of Japanese Studies at ne” (2004, 115 minutes) by the director socio-political contexts is argued by Heidelberg University and presents Kitamura Minao (producer: Visual Wolfgang Seifert in his discussion on practical and theoretical problems of Folklore Inc.). The documentary film the social and political term seikatsusha, language education. The analysis of shows for the first time the complete and how the translation of the term Shôji Iijima summarizes and discusses ritual of the Akinomine retreat, which must be very sensitive to the social and these problems, in particular, the issue takes place every year at the end of political contexts in which it is used. of time necessary to teach and learn the August at Mount Haguro. In this nine- Further articles deal with questions of Japanese language and writing system day ascetic practice of the Shugendô temporality, translations of names, Jap- within the context of a German univer- tradition (Buddhist-Shintô combinato- anese loanwords in German and the sity with its partly obligatory curricu- ry mountain cult), the participants rit- degree to which Japanese poetry can be lum. ually experience death and the ten translated as poetry into other lan- The last and shortest chapter of the worlds of existence such as hells, hun- guages. A refreshingly provocative collection presents literary experi- gry ghosts, beasts, humans, Bodhisatt- contribution is that of Peter Acker- ments and essays. Original and fun vas, Buddhas, etc. The film is in Japa- mann, who asks if translations may reading is the “Little Texts for Wolf- nese. Handouts in English will be

6 DIJ Newsletter JUNE 2004 prepared and Gaynor Sekimori (Uni- Institute for Japanese Studies, Tôkyô. ly to the institute by August 15, 2004 versity of Tôkyô), who has participated This journal includes articles on the (editor: Monika Schrimpf). Accepted in this ritual several times, will give a culture, economy, society and politics manuscripts should arrive by Decem- short introduction in English. After the of modern Japan as well as Germany- ber 15, 2004. Articles previously pub- film there will be an opportunity for Japan relations. Contributions on these lished or submitted for publication questions and discussions. The film topics are welcome from scholars in cannot be accepted. will be shown in the auditorium of the any academic discipline. Most issues of Details of previous issues as well as Maison Franco-Japonaise. Japanstudien focus on a particular topic. contents and articles of Japanstudien For more information see http:// The subject of volume 17, which is ex- can be found on our homepage www.dijtokyo.org or http://www.mfj. pected to be published by autumn (http://www.dijtokyo.org). For fur- gr.jp/index.html. 2005, is: ther information on volume 17, please contact Monika Schrimpf (schrimpf@ Germany in Japan dijtokyo.org).

Symposium On the occasion of the initiative “Ger- many in Japan 2005/2006” the next volume of Japanstudien will be dedicat- Dissertation Fellows Takeuchi Yoshimi – Thinker of a Dif- ed to the relations between Japan and ferent in ? Germany in the modern era. Since the C (Heidelberg, September 7–11, 2004) laudia Christ, psychology, Japanese Meiji period both countries have en- studies, German as a foreign language, T joyed continuous periods of contact Ph.D. candidate at the University of his international symposium on the that have led to processes of mutual Japanese Sinologist, translator, thinker Trier: “Differential Terror Management reception and cooperation in culture, Effects on Just-World Belief, Draconity, and cultural critic Takeuchi Yoshimi science, economics, and politics. This (1910–1977) will be the first one held in Self-Esteem and Religious Attachment volume shall seek to shed light on the among Religiously Active and Non- a Western country (the conference lan- historical background of these process- guages will be English and Japanese). Active People in Japan and Germany” es on the Japanese side by examining (March 2004–February 2005). It is jointly organized by the Depart- the changes in interactions with Ger- ment of Japanese Studies, University of many in modern day Japan. The pri- Viktoria Heindorf, Japanese studies, Heidelberg, and the DIJ. Takeuchi’s mary aim of the book, however, is to merits in research on modern Chinese business administration, ethnology, document current foci of cooperation Ph.D. candidate at the University of literature are uncontested. A new read- and interaction in Japan. In which are- ing of his interpretation of the writer Munich: “Performance of Qualification as of culture or science can we observe Systems in Phases of Rapid Technologi- (1881–1936) is gradually mak- conscious or subconscious dealings ing itself heard. The main reason for cal and Structural Change: How the with Germany? In which sectors and in Challenges of the Second IT the newly awakened interest in Take- what forms does the Japanese econo- uchi, however, is that his historical Are Met in Japan and Germany” (April– my seek exchanges with Germany? June 2004). thought gives important impulses to Which areas of German politics attract the present debate on regionalism in attention in Japan, and in which fields H East Asia. The topic of Takeuchi’s re- siu-Jane Chen, biology, history of sci- are cooperation and dialogue sought? flections is the tension between Japa- ence, Ph.D. candidate at the Humboldt- Who are the agents maintaining these nese and “Asianism” Universität zu Berlin: “Scientific Trans- relationships, and what are their mo- emerging in modern Japanese history, fer between Germany and Japan? Japa- tives? a tension which is usually dismissed nese Medical Students and Experts in A further topic to be addressed is by other Japanese . The Germany between 1865 and 1914” the Japanese perceptions of Germany symposium in Heidelberg will attempt (May–December 2004). that have shaped the diverse processes to critically reconstruct some elements of reception and cooperation. The vol- of the referential framework for an ume will examine the reasons for the East-Asian regionalism as developed popularity of certain aspects of Ger- by Takeuchi, to “translate” them for the man culture, science, politics, econom- Western world and thus create an idea- ics, and technology. To what degree is historical foil to evaluate present cul- this popularity influenced by certain tural-historical legitimations of “East images of Germany, and what effect do Asia.” Each of the four conference days national stereotypes have? What are is dedicated to a special aspect: “The the roots of such stereotypes, and how Thinker Takeuchi Yoshimi,” “Takeuchi did they evolve into their current Yoshimi as Sinologist,” “Contributions form? Thus, the papers in this volume of Takeuchi to Historiography” and shall also address the changes in Ja- “Legacy and Perspectives.” pan’s understanding of Germany. Fi- nally, the analysis of how Japanese agents situate themselves and their country in relation to Germany in the Call for Papers above mentioned fields will provide insights into the construction of Japa- Japanstudien: Jahrbuch des Deut- nese self-images. schen Instituts für Japanstudien Manuscripts should not exceed 10,000 words. Abstracts (of about 400 Japanstudien is a peer-review journal words) together with a short bio of the published once a year by the German author are to be submitted electronical-

DIJ Newsletter JUNE 2004 7 On April 23, 2004, Antje Vollmer, vice-president of the German Bundestag, visited the German Institute for Japanese Studies. During her visit Ms. Vollmer was able to gain some insights into the work done at the DIJ, she listened to several presentations on ongoing research and discussed topics relating to the field of Japanese religions, Japanese foreign relations with China and Korea, as well as controversies surrounding the history textbook issue in Asia with the DIJ research fellows.

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8 DIJ Newsletter JUNE 2004