■Events　Nichibunken-IHJ Forum

2017-1-20  The 10th Nichibunken-IHJ Forum

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Speaker

Foreign Languages in the Formation of Shiga Naoya’s Literature
GUO Nanyan   Associate Professor, International Research Center for Japanese Studies

 The literature of Shiga Naoya (1883-1971) is considered to be the peak of modern prose in Japan. Many writers have emulated his concise expression, precise depictions, and sharp visual images as a model of writing. Shiga, in his younger days, unsatisfied with the literary styles that imitate Chinese and Japanese classics, Edo humorous writings, and translated Western works, was determined to create a new Japanese writing style for modern literature. Surprisingly he eagerly absorbed from the English writings of Lafcadio Hearn, the potter Bernard Leach’s speech and a Japanese essay written by a Taiwanese student. His attitude toward language was remarkably flexible. Shiga once even suggested that Japan adopt French as its written language. In this forum, Dr. Guo will talk about what kind of inspiration we can draw in this globalized world from Shiga’s pioneering spirit in “reforming” Japanese language and literature.
*This lecture will be held in Japanese.

Commentator

TOKO Koji   Translator / Professor, Waseda University

Place:

Lecture Hall, International House of Japan (Address: 5-11-16 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0032)

Start time:

18:30

End time:

20:00

Enrollment:

Required

Fee ：

Free

How to enroll:

Go to IHJ web site to register

Host:

International House of Japan

Co-host:

International Research Center for Japanese Studies