Tenkō: Cultures of Political Conversion in Transwar Japan

This insightful book explores the phenomenon of Tenkō, focusing on political conversion in Japan during the interwar period and its global implications.

This book examines the concept of Tenkō: Cultures of Political Conversion in Transwar Japan as a response to the global crisis of interwar modernity, rather than framing it solely as a Japanese phenomenon in postwar discussions. The term 'tenkō' refers to the ideological conversions undertaken by members of the Japanese Communist Party beginning in 1933, where they distanced themselves from Marxism and endorsed Japan's imperial ambitions on the Asian continent. This shift has been a significant aspect of Japan's postwar intellectual landscape, yet this volume stands out as one of the first comprehensive analyses in English-language scholarship to address the topic.

The contributors, consisting of both established and emerging scholars, present international perspectives that highlight the inseparability of tenkō from the global dynamics of empire during a period characterized by mechanical reproduction, mediatization, and the manipulation of language. Each chapter employs a variety of interdisciplinary methodologies, ranging from political theory and intellectual history to literary studies, thereby enriching the discourse surrounding tenkō. The book also delves into contemporary implications, exploring themes such as gender and the emotional dimensions of political ideology, making the discussions especially pertinent to today's political climate.

Tenkō: Cultures of Political Conversion in Transwar Japan serves as an essential resource for students and scholars interested in Japanese and East Asian history, literature, and politics, offering fresh insights into the complexities of ideological transformation during a tumultuous era.