On Inoue’s Perspective Of Japan Through His Literature

Hisashi Inoue (1934-2010), one of the greatest masters in the Japanesecontemporary literature, was also a well-known playwright and novelist in Japan. Hecreated a large number of novels and theatrical works with a considerable influence,received the Naoki Prize, Kikuchi Kan Prize, and Tanizaki Prize, and was also awardedthe Japanese Cultural Order of Merit due to his outstanding works.In addition, he is not only known for his literature, but also his work, his ideology,or even his action, related to various aspects of Japanese contemporary aesthetics,culture, society, politics, economics, and life. When discussing the relationship todaybetween Japanese contemporary literature, society, culture, and political ideology, thename Hisashi Inoue always emerges. In other words, Inoue study has a very importantmeaning and value in Japanese contemporary studies. That is why, such a major topicis chosen for this paper, aiming through my own study of Inoue and Japanesecontemporary literature to perform a bit of beneficial work.Then, what is the main theme found throughout Inoue’s literature? A carefulreading of his works reveals that the main theme is his unique view of country that isfound throughout his literature. His unique literature is born out of his clearunderstanding of Japan. Therefore, the point of departure for this paper is to explorethe Inoue literature systematically, highlighting the characteristics of patrioticsentiment, and mining its main sources.This paper is divided into seven chapters. The introduction summarizes and describes the prior research in China; and based onthis, gives an outline of the problem and research method of this paper.Chapter1, centered on the theatrical work “Shanghai Moon” of Hisashi Inoue,through an image of anti-establishment of “unpatriotic persons,” considers the Inouereflections on “state” and “nation” under a state in war system, and on the praise of“unpatriotic persons”;“Shanghai Moon” can be considered to be a compilation workof anti-establishment character sketches, among these descriptions ofanti-establishment characters, some are more gentle anti-establishment, some are morehawkish anti-establishment, and some are anti-establishment who take advantages ofthe establishment. Despite their different characters, there is one common feature theyshare in common-a clear understanding of the hawkish state system, and throughideology and behavior, maintain a distance and a critical attitude of the same systems.They are thoroughgoing “unpatriotic persons.” Through Inoue’s vivid description ofsuch “unpatriotic persons,” he expresses his own unique understanding of the country-the state system is not fully trustworthy, every citizen must remain an independentpersonality in the face of a powerful state apparatus, to say “No” against the system.Chapter2, centered on Inoue’s theatrical work “Kumikyoku Gyakusatsu,”considers an Inoue character named Takiji Kobayashi who has an “unpatriotic person”image and exposes and criticizes the imperial family system.“KumikyokuGyakusatsu” focuses on the twilight years of Kobayashi, through Kobayashi’s memoryof suffering childhood, and through his dialog with the special police and his family. Itreflects how Kobayashi understands his country, understands the war, and understandsviolence. Inoue considered Kobayashi to be a true warrior–he “dared to face the bleaklife, dared to face dripping blood.” His pen like a sharp dagger, pierces the darkest sideof the Japanese militaristic society. His pen like a lamp, brightened the poor people in the dark. His ordeal brings him more rational judgment and the ability to see theJapanese society. He is opposed to violence, even if it is righteous violence. He giveshumanitarian care for vulnerable groups, and gives depression, boredom, and sadnessto his family implicated due to his behavior. However, when he faces the power of thesystem, he fights back without fear and expresses his opinion. Especially he offersconstructive criticism of the Imperial Family System. In this way, this is Inoue’sculminating work.Chapter3, centered on “Kirikirijin,” through its “citizen” image under the acclaimsystem, considers Inoue’s understanding of the relationship between rapid economicgrowth within the system of the "state" and "nation," and criticism of this kind of"national character." The postwar relationship between country and citizen has been animportant issue in Japanese society. Inoue proposed his own vision through the work“Kirikirijin” of how to build a nation-state. The significance of this work lays notsimply in all of Inoue’s description of the "ideal state,” but more important issues are:the drawbacks of the system of rapid economic growth exposed by Inoue; ridicule ofsome of the system beneficiaries (such as frenzied local physicians and upstartfarmers); and the courage and confidence “Kirikirijin” showed while facing the highpressure system, by expressing his patriotic sentiment: criticism of the irrational part ofthe current system is always the responsibility of the citizen itself.Chapter4, centered on”Kiramekuseiza,” through all the tragic finale ofanti-establishment, considers how Inoue literature embodies the core of the patrioticsentiment and exposes and criticizes the state system. Inoue passes this sentencethrough the work of the character Takeda’s mouth at the end of this work to the reader–the Earth is a miracle of the universe, the human is the miracle of the Earth. Such acosmology, a trinity of the universe, the earth, and the human, beyond the Great Japanese Empire concept advocated by the Japanese authorities, an anti-war themeraised to the level of harmony between man and nature, and harmony between humans.This kind of cosmology in fact also reflects Inoue’s understanding of country. The statesystem should not be above the human, the Earth, and the universe, otherwise itbecomes an executioner to destroy the earth and to destroy humans; it should be theprotector of the planet, a booster to continue to create a human miracle. In this way, thetitle of” Kiramekuseiza” has important practical implications and significance.Chapter5, by looking at the totality of Inoue’s life such as the time he lived in, hisfamily background, experience, and the creative process, considers the root of patrioticsentiment and performance practices of Inoue.The conclusion summarizes all the above chapters, and conducts a summary ofthe patriotic sentiment in Inoue literature.