Inventing the Way of the Samurai
Nationalism, Internationalism, and Bushidō in Modern Japan
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Oxford University Press
Published:11th Sep '14
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- Paperback£43.49(9780198754251)
Inventing the Way of the Samurai examines the development of the 'way of the samurai' - bushidō - which is popularly viewed as a defining element of the Japanese national character and even the 'soul of Japan'. Rather than a continuation of ancient traditions, however, bushidō developed from a search for identity during Japan's modernization in the late nineteenth century. The former samurai class were widely viewed as a relic of a bygone age in the 1880s, and the first significant discussions of bushidō at the end of the decade were strongly influenced by contemporary European ideals of gentlemen and chivalry. At the same time, Japanese thinkers increasingly looked to their own traditions in search of sources of national identity, and this process accelerated as national confidence grew with military victories over China and Russia. Inventing the Way of the Samurai considers the people, events, and writings that drove the rapid growth of bushidō, which came to emphasize martial virtues and absolute loyalty to the emperor. In the early twentieth century, bushidō became a core subject in civilian and military education, and was a key ideological pillar supporting the imperial state until its collapse in 1945. The close identification of bushidō with Japanese militarism meant that it was rejected immediately after the war, but different interpretations of bushidō were soon revived by both Japanese and foreign commentators seeking to explain Japan's past, present, and future. This volume further explores the factors behind the resurgence of bushidō, which has proven resilient through 130 years of dramatic social, political, and cultural change.
In conclusion, I'd say Benesch's book is not only a classical work in Japanese history, but also one I would heartily recommend to anyone interested inthe history of Japanese philosophy. * Thomas P. Kasulis, European Journal of Japanese Philosophy *
This monograph is first rate, even if I was left wanting more. I suppose that is generally the case with fine books. * Jeffrey K. Mann, Classical Martial Arts *
Benesch's history of bushidō as an invented tradition with an ideological character delivers on the title's promise. Students of intellectual history will appreciate the example of an idea created, branded as tradition, and then variously applied by multiple ideological positions. Modernists will benefit from Benesch's explanation of the Imperialist appropriation of bushidō as a tool for militarization of the population through World War II. And Japan specialists are finally armed with a full argument against bushidō's historicity. * Nathan H. Ledbetter, Journal of Military History *
Benesch provides a comprehensive overhaul of the history of the development of bushidō. He demonstrates great expertise in presenting the various texts and their roles in the discourse ... this book is a highly gripping read and provides a well-informed contribution to the historical development and powerful influence of invented traditions. * Julian Plenefisch, H-Soz-u-Kult [translation] *
Benesch has provided us with a valuable history of modern Japan through the lens of a particularly resilient ideology. It will be of great interest to students of Japanese history, not to mention to anyone concerned with the intellectual history of invented modern traditions. * Constantine N. Vaporis, American Historical Review *
Oleg Benesch's Inventing the way of the Samurai is a seminal, scrupulously researched work that teems with ideas. Its content is profoundly relevant to current political developments in Japan, as questions about the Constitution and the nation's identity come to the fore ... an essential guide to this crucial aspect of Japan's intellectual history. * Damian Flanagan, The Japan Times *
Inventing the Way of the Samurai is an excellent book. * Stephen Turnbull, Japan Review *
This is a solid, well-written, and immensely informative piece of scholarship ... Benesch's chronicle of the ebbs and flows of the bushidō discourse makes for fascinating reading * James Mark Shields, Journal of Japanese Studies *
ISBN: 9780198706625
Dimensions: 242mm x 174mm x 27mm
Weight: 606g
294 pages