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Representative Men of Japan
This text consists of a collection of essays on five figures from Japanese history, each connected by his commitment to cosmopolitan and humanitarian values. It presents a contrasting perspective on Japanese ethics, antithetical to the nationalist spirit and philosophy of "Bushido".
- GenresJapan
Paperback
First published May 9, 2013
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About the author
Kanzo Uchimura
41 books1 followerUchimura was a Japanese author, Christian evangelist, and the founder of the Nonchurch Movement (Mukyōkai) of Christianity in the Meiji and Taishō period Japan. He is often considered to be the most well-known Japanese pre-World War II pacifist
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 1, 2019
This is an odd little book. Written about 120 years ago, Uchimura prepared the text in English in order to complicate how Japan was perceived by the rest of the world. Even before the Great War, Uchimura was deeply concerned by the rise of nationalism and militarism in his country, and his Christian pacifism prompted him to seek historical paradigms of virtue in his country that he could stand behind.
Uchimura identifies five men over the previous 700 years of Japanese history that exemplify what he believes to be best about his nation. The group is eclectic, but each man is referred to as "saint" by Uchimura. The term is one that he applies outside his own Christian tradition, believing that much of what's best about Japan has emerged despite the messages of Christian missionaries there.
While the essays were not originally written to be part of a single volume, they follow a similar format: a thematic introduction on what virtue the saint will exemplify, an analysis of his upbringing and career accomplishments, and a reflection on how that saint's life has carried forward to modernity. While these are not full biographies, neither are they hagiographies. Referring to them as saints does not stop Uchimura from identifying their faults, paling, of course, in comparison to their virtues.
I don't know who would read this. It requires some basic familiarity with Japanese history, as Uchimura dives into to events that are familiar to him without much context. But it's a quick read that helps a modern reader reexamine our assumptions about turn-of-the-century Japan, as well as just how different we believe ourselves to be from those who lived and thought at that time. Uchimura is a fun writer, and it's clear that he knows precisely what is important to him and how to say it.
Uchimura identifies five men over the previous 700 years of Japanese history that exemplify what he believes to be best about his nation. The group is eclectic, but each man is referred to as "saint" by Uchimura. The term is one that he applies outside his own Christian tradition, believing that much of what's best about Japan has emerged despite the messages of Christian missionaries there.
While the essays were not originally written to be part of a single volume, they follow a similar format: a thematic introduction on what virtue the saint will exemplify, an analysis of his upbringing and career accomplishments, and a reflection on how that saint's life has carried forward to modernity. While these are not full biographies, neither are they hagiographies. Referring to them as saints does not stop Uchimura from identifying their faults, paling, of course, in comparison to their virtues.
I don't know who would read this. It requires some basic familiarity with Japanese history, as Uchimura dives into to events that are familiar to him without much context. But it's a quick read that helps a modern reader reexamine our assumptions about turn-of-the-century Japan, as well as just how different we believe ourselves to be from those who lived and thought at that time. Uchimura is a fun writer, and it's clear that he knows precisely what is important to him and how to say it.
December 26, 2024
A collection of essays written by a Japanese Christian Church-planter in 1908; translated into English by a Japanese Zen Priest in 1999. What do both of these of these men have in common? A great love for Japan and a hope that their nation and the West to look past “the blind loyalty and bloody patriostism” Japan had been known for (the authors own words) and instead look toward the ingenuity, independent thought, humility and peacefulness that is unique to Japan’s history. Altogether the author wrote 5 essays about 5 historical figures. Some well known and respected (Saigo Takamori & Uesugi Yozan), some not well known (Ninomiya Sontok & Nakae Toju) and another completely reviled (Nichiren). It was a great read.
April 1, 2017
This book is written by a Japanese nearly 100 years ago in English!
The FIVE representatives were not that "representative" because I asked local Japanese and only a few of them know these men!!!
The only reason I read this book is that it was mandatory for a class.....
The FIVE representatives were not that "representative" because I asked local Japanese and only a few of them know these men!!!
The only reason I read this book is that it was mandatory for a class.....
January 7, 2021
Kanzo Uchimura chose to narrate stories of 5 great individuals who shaped what known as today's Japan way of living, and thinking. A bit tangled here and there with the language-culture barrier, but these stories are amazing.
Of course with his bold narration, some readers might find it bias, even for japanese. But he did a great job of pointing out some good example of events from these people strengths in moral values.
I would like to rate more but the english used can sometimes be a bit too complicated for me to follow. But, if you want to know the cause of japanese mentality of today, this book might give you some ideas.
Of course with his bold narration, some readers might find it bias, even for japanese. But he did a great job of pointing out some good example of events from these people strengths in moral values.
I would like to rate more but the english used can sometimes be a bit too complicated for me to follow. But, if you want to know the cause of japanese mentality of today, this book might give you some ideas.
May 30, 2019
Very hard to read. It is better to read a summary.
June 12, 2024
Libro a dir poco orrendo.
Personaggi interessanti ma consiglio l’approfondimento con altre fonti.
Lettura difficile e scrittura complessa.
Personaggi interessanti ma consiglio l’approfondimento con altre fonti.
Lettura difficile e scrittura complessa.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews