"Pen Troops" and the Invasion of China: A Study and Critique of Japanese Literature on the Invasion of China

Author: Wang Xiangyuan
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: The series attempts to analyze and reflect on the Japanese invasion of China from a deep cultural perspective, combining historical research with theoretical analysis to study the various "cultural wars" implemented by Japanese right-wing scholars and cultural figures in collaboration with the Japanese invasion forces in China: ideological propaganda wars, academic intelligence wars, subjugation education wars, news and public opinion wars, language and cultural wars, religious and cultural wars, literary and artistic wars, etc. The series reveals through a large amount of first-hand materials the cultural aggression that preceded and complemented military and economic aggression, which was actually Japan's "second battlefield" in the invasion of China. The purpose was to promote the "Imperial State ideology" and to destroy the national concept and ethnic consciousness of the Chinese nation. Their various "cultural wars" in different cultural fields, as well as some specific practices in their arguments, planning, organization, and implementation, not only shocked people but also left much to reflect upon. During the war of invasion, most Japanese "literators" actively "cooperated" with the invasion, forming a special army armed with pens—"pen troops." Some enlisted in the army and became part of the invasion forces; others served as "military writers" and went to the front lines, rallying support for the war of invasion. Many more joined various militaristic cultural and literary organizations, further fueling the war of invasion. In the invasion literature they fabricated, some incited war fervor, portraying the war as a "holy war"; others blamed China for the war, making excuses for the aggressive invasion; some the brutality of the Japanese army, exaggerating the "cuteness" and "bravery" of the "Imperial Army"; others demonized the Chinese people, depicting them as ignorant and barbaric; some distorted the situation in the occupied areas, falsely claiming that the Chinese people and the "Imperial Army" were "friendly"; or intervened and infiltrated the literary scene in the occupied areas, imposing subjugation education and deceptive propaganda on the local population. This book conducts an in-depth study and critique of Japan's "pen troops" and their invasion literature. It is a systematic and concise research work on the history of Japanese invasion literature, both domestically and internationally. It provides important reference value and practical significance for understanding the little-known "pen troops" and their actions, for clarifying the relationship between Japanese literature and militarism, and for gaining a deeper understanding of the nature and harm of militarism.