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GJS LectureSearching for "Universality" in Japanese History: Understanding Nationalism through the Concept of "Unforgettable Other"

Time: June 5, 2014 (Thu) 5:00-7:00 pm
Location: Third floor Lecture Room, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, University of Tokyo
Speaker: Hiroshi MITANI (Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo)
Language: Japanese

Abstract:
While extracted from Motoori Norinaga's Preface to Kojiki-den, the concept of "Unforgettable Other" (wasureenu tasha) is useful for explaining the nature and dynamics of nationalism on the level of historical memory. This talk introduces this concept as a case of creating a model to explain universal phenomenon from Japanese experience. I will also mention how my paper on nationalism was rejected by a journal to illustrate the difficulty when Japanese authors dare to publish their papers in academic journal of English speaking world.