Representing Empire : Japanese Colonial Literature in Taiwan and Manchuria

By exploring the rich terrain of Japanese colonial literature in Taiwan and Manchuria, Representing Empire investigates the interplay between imperialism, nationalism, and Pan-Asianism during the era of Japan's territorial expansion in Asia. In Representing Empire Ying Xiong examines Japanese-language colonial literature written by Japanese expatriate writers in Taiwan and Manchuria. Drawing on a wide range of Japanese and Chinese sources, Representing Empire reveals not only a nuanced picture of Japanese literary terrain but also the interplay between imperialism, nationalism, and Pan-Asianism in the colonies. While the existing literature on Japanese nationalism has largely remained within the confines of national history, by using colonial literature as an example, Ying Xiong demonstrates that transnational forces shaped Japanese nationalism in the twentieth century.With its multidisciplinary and comparative approach, Representing Empire adds to a growing body of literature that challenges traditional interpretations of Japanese nationalism and national literary canon. “Representing Empire is an outstanding accomplishment, at once making clearer and complicating our understandings of the literary worlds of Manchuria and Taiwan, and the greater imperial empire within which all were transformed. ... add[s] substantially to the ways in which Japan's empire and twentieth century East Asian history more generally might be interpreted.” Norman Smith, University of Guelph, Modern Chinese Literature and Culture Resource Center Publication (February, 2015) Ying Xiong examines Japanese-language colonial literature written by Japanese expatriate writers in Taiwan and Manchuria. Drawing on a wide range of Japanese and Chinese sources, this book reveals not only a nuanced picture of Japanese literary terrain but also the interplay between imperialism, nationalism, and Pan-Asianism in the colonies.0While the existing literature on Japanese nationalism has largely remained within the confines of national history, by using colonial literature as an example, Ying Xiong demonstrates that transnational forces shaped Japanese nationalism in the twentieth century.0With its multidisciplinary and comparative approach, this book adds to a growing body of literature that challenges traditional interpretations of Japanese nationalism and national literary canon Part I. Exoticising The Other, Reinventing The Self -- National Literature And Beyond -- Local Discovered -- National Lineage Reinvented -- Part Ii. Pan-asianism Unrealised -- Between Imperialism And Pan-asianism -- Literature In The Name Of National Harmony -- Translating Texts, Transforming Identities -- Part Iii. Re-mapping The Empire : Japan, Taiwan, And Manchukuo -- Imperial Knowledge And Colonial Power -- Romanticising The Empire -- Local Literature In Ambivalence -- Conclusion: Japanese Nationalism And Its Discontents. By Ying Xiong. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.