The Exploration of Japanese Culture in American Literature Before 1905

Introduction: As the United States expanded its influence in the Pacific and across the Pacific Rim, the fascination with Japan began to permeate American literature. This interest was particularly visible in the East, especially in Boston, with The Chrysanthemum and the Sword by Ruth Benedict serving as the most valuable resource for understanding Japanese culture. Yet, a deeper exploration of how Japanese culture was portrayed and researched in American literature before 1905 reveals a more complex picture.

Enthusiasts and Early Influences

East Coast Enthusiasm: The interest in Japan was not uniform across the United States. The East Coast, particularly Boston, saw a significant number of enthusiasts. One of the earliest and most notable works was Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings, published in 1885 by the scientist Edward Morse. This book provided an informative view of Japan's architecture and living spaces, which influenced future generations, including the renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright. Wright's designs of prairie houses, for example, are said to have been inspired by the architectural aesthetics described in Morse's book.

Early Japanese Memoirs: Other notable figures in the early exploration of Japanese culture include Ranald McDonald. Before the end of Sakoku (the national isolation policy of Japan), he became the first American to spend several months living in Japan and later published his memoirs. However, these memoirs were not widely released until after his death, missing the opportunity to influence the early 20th century narrative significantly.

Research and Documentation

Nitobe and Misleading Resources: It is important to note that many of the early resources were poorly translated or not easily accessible. In fact, it is noteworthy how Motse’s work was more obscure in the years leading up to World War II. This scarcity of accurate and readily available scholarly resources highlights the need for more rigorous exploration and documentation of Japanese culture.

Scholarly Societies and Publications: Despite the scarcity of formal scholarly work, organizations like the Japan Societies were established before 1900 in America. These societies often published papers and documents on various aspects of Japanese culture, further contributing to the evolving narrative in American literature.

The Fragile Foundations of Early Exploration

Ruth Benedict and The Chrysanthemum and the Sword: Ruth Benedict's The Chrysanthemum and the Sword stands out as one of the most influential and utilized resources for understanding Japanese culture. This work, published in 1946, derived from research conducted in the late 1930s when the United States was preparing for the potential conflict with Japan, which eventually led to World War II. While Benedict's book is a significant contribution to the understanding of Japanese culture, it was the scarcity of previous works that made her resource so vital.

Governmental Concerns Before War: The government's scramble to collect information about Japan's culture before the outbreak of World War II demonstrates the extent of the influence and interest in Japanese culture in American literature. This urgency underscored the recognition of Japan as a critical player in the global stage, and the need for comprehensive cultural understanding became more pressing.

Conclusion

The exploration of Japanese culture in American literature before 1905 was multifaceted and characterized by the influence of pioneering works like Japanese Homes and Their Surroundings and The Chrysanthemum and the Sword. While the academic interest remained somewhat limited, the cultural exchange between Japan and the United States left a lasting impact on American literature, architecture, and scholarship, laying the groundwork for future explorations and understanding.