Lü Xun and the Japanese (Asia's Modernity and the "Individual" Thought)

Author: (Japanese) Ito Kuma, translated by Li Dongmu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-12-01
Features: This series collects the essence of from different stages of the 20th century at home and abroad, comprehensively showcasing the demeanor of a cultural and intellectual giant, and profoundly revealing Lu Xun's rich and complex inner world. It includes four monographs: Qian Liqun's Exploring the Soul, Li Ouwan's Roaring in the Iron House, Wang Hui's Rebellion Against Despair, and Ito Kuma's Lu Xun and the Japanese; two essay collections: The Siege and Lu Xun Under the Red Halo, which evoke different interpretations of Lu Xun in different historical contexts. Additionally, there are multiple reminiscences by Xu Shouchang, Xu Guangping, Zhou Zuoren, Feng Xuefeng, Hu Feng, and others. This book is part of the Looking Back at Lu Xun series. Written by Japanese scholar Ito Kuma, this book explores Lu Xun's interactions with Japan, offering a unique perspective on his vision and insights. The concept of "the individual" is the core idea of this book, first introduced by the author Ito Kuma. In his view, Lu Xun's understanding and acceptance of Western modernity represent a grasp of its "foundation" and "essence," embodying a universal and new spirit of individuality in the East. Ito argues that the value of Lu Xun lies not in the "isms" he accepted, but in his "consciousness of the individual" and the significance he demonstrated in rebuilding and developing national culture. The book is divided into four chapters: Lu Xun and Japanese Meiji Literature; Lu Xun's Encounter with Western Modernity; The Birth of the Novelist Lu Xun; Lu Xun's Novels and Their Characters.