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A Cultural History of Translation in Early Modern Japan
The translation of texts has played a formative role in Japan's history of cultural exchange as well as the development of literature, and indigenous legal and religious systems. This is the first book of its kind, however, to offer a comprehensive survey of the role of translation in Japan during the Tokugawa period, 1600–1868. By examining a wide range of translations into Japanese from Chinese, Dutch and other European texts, as well as the translation of classical Japanese into the vernacular, Rebekah Clements reveals the circles of intellectual and political exchange that existed in early modern Japan, arguing that, contrary to popular belief, Japan's 'translation' culture did not begin in the Meiji period. Examining the 'crisis translation' of military texts in response to international threats to security in the nineteenth century, Clements also offers fresh insights into the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate in 1868.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 16, 2015
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July 30, 2015
What a brilliant debut! The author combines "thick description" with summary passages that are models of clarity to create a truly comprehensive account of translation in early modern Japan, i.e. the period from 1600 through the late nineteenth century.
The introductory chapter considers what translation is, and this is followed by chapters on language and society in early modern Japan, translation from classical Japanese tests, Chinese texts, western-language texts, and a fascinating consideration of nineteenth century "crisis translation," when the arrival of western ships in Japanese waters spurred domains and the shogunate alike to get a move on. Clements successfully argues that "translation, particularly of works to do with military strategy...was an important component of the reforms that led to the strength and effectiveness of the Chōshū [domain's] military against the shogunate forces" (pp. 198-99)--in other words, that translation influenced the outcome of the Meiji Revolution.
Translation is not merely an aspect of the period that we might study. As Clements convincingly argues, "translation is key to understanding many significant political and intellectual changes which occurred in Japan during the Tokugawa, or early modern period" (p. 228).
Essential reading!
The introductory chapter considers what translation is, and this is followed by chapters on language and society in early modern Japan, translation from classical Japanese tests, Chinese texts, western-language texts, and a fascinating consideration of nineteenth century "crisis translation," when the arrival of western ships in Japanese waters spurred domains and the shogunate alike to get a move on. Clements successfully argues that "translation, particularly of works to do with military strategy...was an important component of the reforms that led to the strength and effectiveness of the Chōshū [domain's] military against the shogunate forces" (pp. 198-99)--in other words, that translation influenced the outcome of the Meiji Revolution.
Translation is not merely an aspect of the period that we might study. As Clements convincingly argues, "translation is key to understanding many significant political and intellectual changes which occurred in Japan during the Tokugawa, or early modern period" (p. 228).
Essential reading!
Displaying 1 of 1 review