Samurai with Telephones: Anachronism in Japanese Literature

Samurai with Telephones explores how texts can use anachronism to challenge or rewrite history, play with history, or open history up to new possibilities. It examines Japanese literary and cultural works from the modern period and the Early Modern period, including literature by Mori Ōgai and Ōe Kenzaburō, manga by Tezuka Osamu, art by Murakami Takashi, and pop cultural works. It distinguishes between anachronisms that attempt to hide their work on history and convincingly rewrite it and those conspicuous anachronisms that highlight and disrupt the construction of historical narratives.

Format: Hardback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 31 July 2024
Publisher: The University of Michigan Press

Samurai with Telephones: Anachronism and the Rewriting of History in Japanese Literature and Culture

In Samurai with Telephones, author Christopher Smith explores how texts can use anachronism to challenge, rewrite, or open up history. By applying this theoretical framework to various Japanese literary and cultural works, Smith demonstrates how different texts can use anachronism to explore different aspects of history.

Smith begins by examining literature from the modern period, including works by Mori Ōgai and Ōe Kenzaburō, manga by Tezuka Osamu, art by Murakami Takashi, and pop cultural works. He then turns to the Early Modern period (Edo period, 1600–1868), which produced a literature rich with playful anachronism.

In analyzing these works, Smith distinguishes between anachronisms that attempt to hide their work on history and convincingly rewrite it and those conspicuous anachronisms that highlight and disrupt the construction of historical narratives. He argues that anachronism can be a powerful tool for authors to explore the complexities of history and to challenge dominant narratives.

One of the key examples Smith examines is the twelfth-century samurai in Mori Ōgai's novel "The Key ." In this novel, the samurai uses a telephone to make a call, which is anachronistic in the context of the story. Smith argues that this anachronism is used to challenge the notion of the samurai as a static, timeless figure and to show that even in the past, people were capable of adapting to new technologies and changing circumstances.

Another example is the play "The Merchant of Venice" by William Shakespeare, which features an ancient aristocrat teaching in a present-day schoolroom. Smith argues that this anachronism is used to play with history and to highlight the enduring nature of certain social and economic structures.

Smith also examines the use of anachronism in manga by Tezuka Osamu, such as "Astro Boy" and "Black Jack." In these works, Tezuka uses anachronism to create a sense of wonder and excitement and to explore the boundaries of science and technology.

In addition to literature and manga, Smith also examines the use of anachronism in art by Murakami Takashi, such as his series of paintings titled "The Key ." In these paintings, Murakami uses anachronism to create a sense of nostalgia and to explore the relationship between the past and the present.

Overall, Samurai with Telephones is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that explores the use of anachronism in Japanese literature and culture. Smith's theoretical framework provides a valuable tool for authors and scholars to understand how anachronism can be used to challenge, rewrite, or open up history.

In conclusion, Samurai with Telephones is a fascinating and thought-provoking book that explores the use of anachronism in Japanese literature and culture. By applying this theoretical framework to various works, Smith demonstrates how different texts can use anachronism to challenge, rewrite, or open up history. Whether you are a fan of literature, manga, or art, this book is sure to provide you with new insights into the complexities of history and the power of anachronism.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780472076871