A revista Estudos Japoneses tem como missão publicar artigos de perfil acadêmico que tratem de temas relativos à Língua, Literatura e Cultura Japonesa, abordados à luz de metodologias científicas. A revista publica artigos em português, inglês, francês, espanhol e japonês.
Universidade de São Paulo. Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas
Copyright (c) 2025 Leiko Matsubara Morales, Junko Ota https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Japan as a peaceful power: nationalism, balance of threat and the quest for autonomy
Japan’s proposed increase in its military expenditure reflects a substantial shift in the country’s military and defense policies. Some of the reasons for this militarization are the perceived menaces from Russia, China and North Korea as well as the more proactive foreign policies adopted since the Koizumi (2001-2006) and Abe terms (2006-2007 and 2012-2020). This article aims to analyze Japan’s militarization project in light of nationalism and Japan’s changing balance of threat environment and how this militarization inserts into Japan’s quest for autonomy on the international stage. The argument is that Japan’s militarization is a response to perceived threats and does not constitute an abandonment of the principles laid out by the Yoshida Doctrine and the values-based diplomacy of the Arc of Freedom and Prosperity, given both international and internal constraints regarding the adoption of a more aggressive foreign policy. Moreover, in this context, nationalism is used as a discourse tool in order to position the country as a peaceful nation, aligned with but not dependent on the “West”.
Copyright (c) 2025 Alexandre Ratsuo Uehara, André Viola https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Beauty in horror: an examination of the tale Tattoo, by Tanizaki Jun’ichirō and the film Kwaidan, directed by Kobayashi Masaki
This article explores the short story Tattoo (刺青shisei), written by Tanizaki Jun’ichiro (谷崎 潤一郎 1886-1965), and the film Kwaidan (怪談), directed by Kobayashi Masaki (小林正樹1916-1996), to illustrate how beauty can be intrinsically linked to dark motifs, such as cruelty, sadism and horror. The aim is to challenge a restrictive view of beauty, particularly the classical Greek ideal that foregrounds harmony, symmetry, and proportion. Beauty as an aesthetic value has long been recognized as culturally and historically constructed, and writers have explored new approaches to it, especially from the Romantic period onwards. The examination of Tattoo and Kwaidan reveals that beauty may also serve as a central aesthetic value in works characterized by somber and unsettling themes.
Copyright (c) 2025 Waldemiro Francisco Sorte Junior https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Remote education at the University of Brasilia: considerations on the Japanese language students’ perspective
This article aims, by resuming Fernandes's (2019) research, to evaluate the Japanese Language and Literature students' perceptions and opinions regarding the remote education at the University of Brasília resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this, the results obtained in Fernandes's work are brought back by revisiting the concepts of e- and m-learning, Distance Learning (DL), and Emergency Remote Education (ERE). Furthermore, remote teaching and its paradigm shifts are addressed by considering aspects of the cognitive environment. Then, the results of this research conducted through an online questionnaire are presented and discussed in light of the theories presented. Finally, some considerations about the results are presented.
Copyright (c) 2025 Kyoko Sekino, Wagner Araujo Fernandes https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
A study about extensive reading applied in Japanese teaching
The research aims to observe the effects of applying an extensive reading activity. It was examined if there were changes in reading behaviour and reading awareness of the students of Japanese as a foreign language. The extensive reading activity was carried out in three classes of an undergraduate Japanese course. The activity was applied throughout one semester, and students were asked to describe their reading in each session, filling out the questionnaire at the end of the activity. Three points were analysed, namely: 1) If there were changes in reading behaviour; 2) If there was a change in awareness regarding reading Japanese texts; 3) If they felt the effects of extensive reading. The results showed that while some students were able to change their reading behaviour from intensive to extensive, there were a number of students resisting the change, who read by translating into Portuguese or felt the need to understand all the words of the text. However, it was confirmed that most of them were able to derive benefits and effects from the activity, such as an increase in their vocabulary and knowledge of the Japanese language, as well as an improvement in comprehension, reading speed and motivation to read the texts.
Copyright (c) 2025 Ruchia Uchigasaki, Kyoko Sekino https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Nikkei women in the Brazilian feminist context: resistance and creation of online spaces
The discourse of Nikkei women has been excluded from traditional feminist narratives in the Brazilian context. The absence of Nikkei women in feminist debates reinforces the silencing of a marginalized population within the wider societal context, which contributes to the silencing of Nikkei women’s voices. Recent online publications in the form of blogs, Facebook posts, and online groups demonstrate resistance as well as enable the formation of new spaces of insertion into current feminist discourse.
Copyright (c) 2025 Jamie Marissa Giunta, Christopher Dunn https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Invisible beings: an overview of people with disabilities' circumstances in Japan
Despite Japan ratifying the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2014 and the fact that Tokyo will be the first city in the world to host the Paralympic Games more than once, people with disabilities are usually segregated from society and regarded as invisible. This segregation process starts at childhood and lingers throughout these individuals’ lives. This work aims to outline an overview of their living conditions, as well as the Japanese legislation and recent events in the country’s history.
Copyright (c) 2022 Beatriz Kaori Miyakoshi Lopes, Alexandre Ratsuo Uehara http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
BRAZILIAN SCIENTIFIC PRODUCTION ABOUT JAPAN: PERSPECTIVES FROM THE FIELD OF PSYCHOLOGY
Japan is highly influential both economically and culturally on a global scale. Despite its cultural influence, economic ties, and the presence of Japanese immigrants in Brazil, Japan appears to receive relatively little attention in Brazilian academia. Brazilian academia has been primarily influenced by European and American academic traditions, which is evident in scientific research across various fields, including psychology. This study aims to quantify and analyse Brazilian research on Japan within psychology. An analysis of 142 publications revealed themes including culture, immigration, psychology and related fields, and others. The study also examined the influence of authors of Japanese descent. Although there are a reasonable number of publications about Japan, this number is relatively low compared to publications on European, Latin American, or U.S. topics.
Copyright (c) 2022 Arthur Cambur, Igor de Almeida http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Hijikata Tatsumi: two interviews about the dance of darkness
Full direct Japanese-Portuguese translation of two interviews with dancer Hijikata Tatsumi, both preceded by his own historiographical contextualization. They are: "Plucking out the darkness of the flesh..."(1968) and "An evil spirit dances upon the stage in darkness"(1969). Both propose ontologies and methodologies for the dance of darkness, or butoh (ankoku butō), incited by Hijikata’s wandering dialectic with Shibusawa Tatsuhiko and Satō Takeru, his respective interviewers.
Copyright (c) 2022 Daniel Aleixo, Lica Hashimoto http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The hypoteses about proto-Japanese-Korean: challenges in sound correspondences of pronouns and numerals
Ever since Arai (1717) , several researchers have put forth the possibility that the Japonic family and the Koreanic family may share a common origin. In these three hundred plus years of research, there have been breakthroughs with the use of techniques from the comparative method in historical linguistics, such as Martin (1966) , but a stronger argument for the confirmation of a common origin to these languages, a protolanguage whose reflexes can be predicted through sound correspondence rules, remains a challenge. As a sample of how a protolanguage is formulated and which steps remain necessary to strengthen the hypothesis of a common ancestor between the Japanese language and the Korean language, some interrogative pronouns and low cardinal numerals, from 1 to 10, have been systematically chosen. Despite having at least two promising sound correspondences in the pronouns, there do not seem to be any cognates in the numeral system, which would either suggest a wholesale set of innovations, eliminating any cognates within these words, or an origin for both languages that may no longer be detected based on the tools currently at the disposal of historical linguistics.”.
Copyright (c) 2022 Markus Tanaka de Lira http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Trauma and gender in Ibuse Masuji´´´´'s Black Rain (1965)
Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed by the atomic bombs in August 6 and 9, respectively. In both cities, the victims have suffered from physical and emotional trauma depicted in literary works, denominated as hibakusha literature (victims of atomic bombs). This article intends to examine the word of Ibuse Masuji and its characteristics, in special, the novel Black Rain (Kuroi Ame, 1965), one of the most famous works in this literary genre, with the objective to discuss the trauma suffered by the character Yasuko. It will also examine the development of trauma literature and hibakusha literature, as well as to provide a brief biography of Ibuse Masuji.
Copyright (c) 2022 Lilian Yamamoto http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Anexo: cronograma histórico da primeira fase da era Meiji (1868-1880)
Trata-se do cronograma histórico da primeira fase da era Meiji, para contextualizar o período em que esteve em circulação a revista Meiroku, o tema do dossiê e foco das discussões dos quatro trabalhos apresentados pelos membros do grupo de pesquisa "Pensamento Japonês: princípios e desdobramentos".
Copyright (c) 2022 Os Editores http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Fukuzawa Yukichi and the role of Western studies intelectuals in Meiji society
Gakumon no susume is one of the main works by Fukuzawa Yukichi (1834-1901) and one of the most important on education in Japanese society. A compendium of writings on education and individuality, in its fourth volume, Fukuzawa Yukichi posits that Western studies intellectuals should focus their efforts on the modernization of Japan outside the official realms of the Meiji government, devoting themselves to the private field. Katô Hiroyuki, Mori Arinori, Tsuda Mamichi and Nishi Amane, however, defend that such individuals should dedicate themselves to the civilizational advancement at the position they prefer. In this article, we intend to show how the fourth volume of the work served as the basis for the discussions figured in the articles of the second volume of Meiroku magazine in relation to the posture of Japanese scholars of Western studies regarding Fukuzawa Yukichi’s statements and how these five texts present certain divergences of thoughts and ideas among the five intellectuals of the Meiroku Society.
Copyright (c) 2022 Luis Guilherme Libaneo de Camargo, João Marcelo Monzani http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The debate over direct election on the pages of the Meiroku Zasshi
The 1870s in Japan were a decade one of political unrest. Spurred on by the Memorial on the establishment of a popular elected assembly, a public document dating from 1874, many groups organized themselves throughout the country to promote the rights of the population as a whole and, most especially, the establishment of direct voting and direct political participation. This topic was particularly discussed by intellectuals who regularly contributed to Meiroku Magazine, being one of the most debated subjects in its pages. In this paper, we will present this debate, as well as the main positions taken. We will demonstrate that, despite a general cautious tone, each writer took a stand on the topic according to their political convictions.
Copyright (c) 2022 João Marcelo Monzani http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The debate on religion on the Meiroku Zasshi
The paper presents the main issues debated at the Meiroku Zasshi on the theme of religion. Based on the terms used to translate the concept of ‘religion’ to the modern Japanese language, observing the cultural and political context in which that cultural transfer occurred. The different positions included the exaltation of religion as an essential part of civilization given its moral impulse capable of generating social cohesion and, therefore, a necessary view for the good functioning of the State. They pointed out a distinction between religion and superstition that should be discouraged by the State for representing threats to public order. Others defended religion as an element of rational articulation to guarantee government support. The debate shows the process of transference, appropriation, and resignification of that important category of Western thought, still diffused at the beginning of the Meiji Era.
Copyright (c) 2022 Antonio Genivaldo Cordeiro de Oliveira, Andrea Gomes Santiago Tomita http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The civilizing process and the introduction of Western concepts in modern Japan
Born in the early years of the Meiji era, the Meiroku Society took the reins of Japan’s discussion on civilization, seeking to formalize the insertion of Western concepts in the country’s vernacular. Scholars like Nishimura Shigeki, Mitsukuri Rinshō and Nakamura Masanao made a point of exploring the historiography of terms central to European philosophy, introduced with the opening of the country after 300 years of isolationism. Their intent was to discuss how best to represent these ideas in the Japanese language, quickly setting aside the reformist notion of Nishi Amane, another member of the Association, who wanted the new government to adopt the Roman alphabet and to abolish ideograms. Thus, this article aims to explore the debates that appeared on the pages of Meiroku magazine, the stage of Japanese thought at the time, focusing on the search for linguistic equivalence of the words “civilization”, “liberty” and “right”.
Copyright (c) 2022 Gabriel de Oliveira Fernandes, Neide Hissae Nagae http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Apresentação de textos sobre a revista Meiroku Zasshi
Copyright (c) 2022 Junko Ota, Leiko Matsubara Morales http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Below is an interview with the Japanese haiku artist Mayuzumi Madoka (Kanagawa, 1962~). Her haiku trajectory goes beyond the usual literary modes as it includes about 2,700 miles on peregrinations made by the author to different locations: Santiago de Compostela, Busan, Seoul and Shikoku. She considers peregrinations as important moments of life and nature contemplation and perception and also considers it essential to the haiku production. Mayuzimi has published several books and got the “Yamamoto Kenkichi Literary Award” for the book "Kyoto no Koi". In 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic, she created the project "Kyoto x Haiku", aiming the integration of different peoples through the poetic writing. The project still counts with the participation of haiku composers from different countries. In 2021, she participated on an online event and spoke about haiku for the Brazilian people. She also got to know many Brazilian haikai written by poets from all over the country. Mayuzumi Madoka is currently the president of the "World Online Haiku Association".
Copyright (c) 2022 Débora Fernandes Tavares, Neide Hissae Nagae, Nicholas Brendon Lemos Viana http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Iliad and Heike Monogatari: comparing their themes, literary structures and influences on their respective societies
The epic literary genre is very well represented in the West by works of Homer, however, few studies focus on similar works from eastern societies such as China, Korea and Japan; comparative studies between western and eastern epics are also infrequent. This article proposes a comparison between the Japanese work Heike Monogatari and Iliad, a Greek work of Homer, seeking similarities in theme, literary structure, characteristics of the leaders and heroes of each work and the influences they exerted in their respective societies as historiographical sources, as well as their reflections in the cultural heritage.
Copyright (c) 2022 Osni Sakamoto, Lilian Yamamoto http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Psychoanalysis and japanese language: interfaces among subject, language and desire
This study analyzes the relationships between Japanese language-culture and representations of oneself and the other in a context of training teachers of Japanese as a foreign language. We conducted, through interviews and written questionnaires, an investigation with participants who attended a Japanese language course at a public university in the capital of Brazil. We aimed to understand how representations of language-cultures could reflect on the participants' notions of identity, as well as on their representations of what it is to be a Japanese teacher. To do so, we mobilize theoretical aspects of linguistics, psychoanalysis and cultural studies. In this article, we analyze the unique case of one of the research participants.
Copyright (c) 2022 Renan Kenji Sales Hayashi http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Perpetuation, Resilience and the Kendô’s Forms
Based on the evidences of an intense dialogue with neighboring peoples in the development of Japanese artistic traditions, we see the method of teaching through “kata”, specifically in Kendô and its forms Nippon Kendo Kata and Bokutô-ni-yoru Kendô Kihon-waza Keiko-hô, as an exercise in resilience and perpetuation of an intensely changing practice. For this, the forms of spelling in ideograms of the “kata” romanization are recovered, and the context of production of the two sets of move
Copyright (c) 2022 Rafael Itsuo Takahashi, Lucas Lins Oliveira, Mariana Harumi Cruz Tsukamoto http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The characters of “The third murder” (Sandome no satsujin) by Hirokazu Koreeda
The present work aims to realize an investigation into the participation and role played by one of the essential elements in cinematographic plots, in the specific case of this work, the characters present in the plot of the feature film of Japanese production “The third murder” (“Sandome no satsujin”, 2018), directed by Hirokazu Koreeda, belonging to thriller genre. This specific category presents a narrative structure that demands a series of steps in which both protagonist and antagonist need to undergo in order to the narrative develops and advance. For the textual development, the theoretical basis makes use of the works of Luís Nogueira (2010), Doc Comparato (1995) and Flávio de Campos (2007).
Copyright (c) 2022 Mari Sugai http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Preparativos da aula de japonês com o uso de obras literárias: análise e estratégias
O uso de obras literárias no ensino de LE tem sido reconhecido benéfico, especialmente no aumento de vocabulário, esclarecimento contextual, melhoria na motivação dentre outros. Ao compreender a obra, há evidências da utilização da tradução mental para facilitar o processamento cognitivo eficaz na LM. No entanto, a análise textual pelo professor para estabelecer estratégias no ensino é pouco estudada, apesar da complexidade do texto literário. Nesta pesquisa, utiliza-se a ferramenta de text-mining, AntConc, para observar um texto usado em uma disciplina de japonês na Universidade de Brasília. O resultado demonstra várias características da obra como: personagens principais, frequência de ocorrência dos verbos, diferentes usos de partículas/auxiliares verbais. Por meio desses resultados, ressalta-se a importância da análise textual no uso de obras literárias para o ensino de LE, em que o professor decide o que e como ensinar a língua com eficácia, dentro da fluidez da história.
Copyright (c) 2022 Kyoko Sekino http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Desire and mediation in Ōgai and Soseki: the frames of reading of J. Keith Vincent and Iida Yūko
In this paper we will present the analytical frames of J. Keith Vincent and Iida Yūko regarding the mediation of desire in works these critics designate as homossocial narratives, by Natsume Sōseki and Mori Ōgai. Both critics make use of the same theoretical assumptions and carry out a reinterpretation of the critical fortune of Meiji-era novelists. After reconstructing their arguments, we will show how, despite similar premises, these critics operate with different views regarding the representation of sexuality and desire in these writers, opening space for debate about the historicization of these elements, as well as their functioning within fictional narratives.
Copyright (c) 2022 João Monzani http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Study on research trends of japanese language textbooks in the brazilian university context
According to the 2017 data from the Japan Foundation in São Paulo, it is possible to verify that out of the 8 Brazilian public universities offering undergraduate programs in Japanese Language and Literature, 7 utilize textbooks (TBs) from the Japanese publishing market aimed at adult foreign learners. Considering the significant role these TBs play as linguistic and cultural resources, as well as tools for teaching professionals, this article analyzes the types of national scholarly productions related to TBs from 2000 to 2020, exploring new possibilities in the realm of critical analysis.
Copyright (c) 2022 Ayako Akamine, Leiko Matsubara Morales http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Copyright (c) 2022 Junko Ota http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The writings of Shiga Naoya as literature of experience: perceptions from the tale The razor (Kamisori 剃刀)
Shiga Naoya (志賀 直哉1883-1971) is known as one of the main writers of the Shishōsetsu (小説) genre, or I-Novel. His writings, however, are considered as a type of literature of experience not only because they are often based on events of Shiga’s life, but due to his capacity to depict in a vivid fashion the characters’ feelings, when they faced the episodes recounted in the stories. As a way of illustrating this ability to portray in an accurate manner the characters’ emotions in his works, this article examines The Razor (Kamisori 剃刀), a tale published in 1910, which does not belong to the Shishōsetsu genre, but is able to convey in a faithful way to the reader the sensations that have driven the protagonist to perpetrate the vile act by the end of the tale.
Copyright (c) 2021 Waldemiro Francisco Sorte Junior http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
Appearance, familism and Ryosai Kenbo: report of intervention carried out with japanese-brazilian women through the COVID-19 pandemic
Experience report that aims to describe a gerontological intervention carried out with five women from three generations of a Japanese-Brazilian family. It was conducted from April to June, 2020, amidst the intense and isolated domestic living due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Two photo shoots, rounds of conversation and appearance-related interventions were held. These activities brought up reflections related to familism and the role of good wife and wise mother (Ryōsai Kenbo), founding aspects of the 20th century Japanese Society. Both values have been present through their ageing processes and are still strongly associated with the construction of their identity. The experience showed that appearance-related interventions, combined with theoretical concepts enforced through art, can promote life-course resignification and well-being.
Copyright (c) 2021 Suzanne Tanoue Santos, Andrea Lopes http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0
The search for the spiritual and worldly detachment: influences of the zen buddhist philosophy in the tea ceremony
This article aims to bring reflections about the influence of Zen Buddhism on the Japanese tea ceremony. To this end, we chose one among other Zen precepts - the search for the spiritual as opposed to the mundane - which is related to the art of tea. The work was divided into three main topics: 1) Zen Buddhist philosophy; 2) zen and tea and 3) chanoyu: the search for the spiritual and worldly detachment. In this sense, we understand that this secular Japanese art has a long history that goes back to the habit of drinking tea in Buddhist temples in China and that, in Japan, it weaved its way in intrinsic relationship with Zen philosophy.
Copyright (c) 2021 Narumi Ito, Neide Hissae Nagae http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0