Chapter 7: Overcoming Modernity| Class 11 History Notes

In the tumultuous decades of the 1930s and 1940s, Japan’s state-centered nationalism reached its zenith as the nation embarked on wars of expansion across Asia. These military campaigns, aimed at extending Japan’s empire, culminated in the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor, thrusting Japan into the maelstrom of the Second World War.

The onset of war brought about greater controls on Japanese society, with repression and imprisonment of dissidents becoming commonplace. In response to wartime demands, patriotic societies emerged, many of which were women’s organizations, dedicated to supporting the war effort and fostering national unity.

Overcoming Modernity

In the 1930s and 1940s, Japan’s state-centric nationalism reached its peak as the country engaged in wars to expand its empire in China and other Asian regions, ultimately culminating in its entry into the Second World War following the attack on Pearl Harbor. This period witnessed increased social control, the suppression and imprisonment of dissenters, and the emergence of patriotic organizations, including many led by women, to bolster support for the war effort.

A significant symposium held in 1943, titled “Overcoming Modernity,” grappled with Japan’s dilemma of navigating modernity while confronting the West. Musician Moroi Saburo raised the question of rescuing music from mere sensory stimulation and restoring it as an expression of the spirit. Similarly, philosopher Nishitani Keiji characterized “modernity” as the convergence of three Western intellectual currents: the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the advancements in natural sciences. He argued that Japan’s “moral energy,” drawing inspiration from German philosopher Ranke, had enabled it to avoid colonization, suggesting that Japan had a responsibility to establish a new world order, termed Greater East Asia. To achieve this, Nishitani proposed the need for a new vision integrating science and religion.

Rescuing Music from Sensory Stimulation: Moroi Saburo’s Quest

Renowned musician Moroi Saburo posed a fundamental question at the symposium: How could Japan rescue music from mere sensory stimulation and restore it to an art of the spirit?

His inquiry went beyond rejecting Western music outright, instead seeking a synthesis that transcended cultural boundaries and resonated with Japan’s unique identity.

Integration of Science and Religion: Nishitani Keiji’s Vision

Philosopher Nishitani Keiji articulated a vision for Japan’s future rooted in the integration of science and religion.

He defined ‘modernity’ as the convergence of three streams of Western thought—the Renaissance, the Protestant Reformation, and the rise of natural sciences—and advocated for Japan to harness its ‘moral energy’ to establish a new world order, one that embraced both scientific progress and spiritual enlightenment.

Conclusion

The symposium on ‘Overcoming Modernity’ offered a glimpse into Japan’s existential struggle to reconcile tradition with progress, nationalism with globalism, and war with peace.

As Japan confronted the challenges of war and identity crisis, intellectuals grappled with fundamental questions of cultural authenticity and societal transformation.

Overcoming Modernity- FAQs

What were the key events and ideologies that characterized Japan’s state-centered nationalism during the 1930s and 1940s?

Japan’s state-centered nationalism in the 1930s and 1940s was marked by aggressive expansionism, militarization, and the pursuit of imperial ambitions across Asia. This period saw Japan’s involvement in wars to extend its empire, including the attack on Pearl Harbor, which thrust the nation into the Second World War.

How did wartime conditions in Japan impact society, and what role did patriotic societies play during this period?

Wartime conditions in Japan brought about greater controls on society, including repression and imprisonment of dissidents. Patriotic societies, many of which were women’s organizations, emerged to support the war effort and foster national unity amidst the challenges of conflict.

What were the central themes discussed at the influential symposium on ‘Overcoming Modernity’ in 1943, and what dilemmas did it address?

The symposium on ‘Overcoming Modernity’ grappled with Japan’s identity crisis in the face of Western influences and the challenges of wartime nationalism. Central themes included the dilemma of combating the West while maintaining a sense of modernity, as well as the integration of science and religion in shaping Japan’s future.

Who were some of the key figures and their perspectives represented at the symposium, such as Moroi Saburo and Nishitani Keiji?

Renowned musician Moroi Saburo posed questions about rescuing music from sensory stimulation and restoring it to an art of the spirit, while philosopher Nishitani Keiji articulated a vision for Japan rooted in the integration of science and religion. Their perspectives shed light on alternative visions for Japan’s future amidst the turmoil of war and nationalism.

How did the discourse on ‘Overcoming Modernity’ reflect Japan’s efforts to navigate its cultural authenticity and societal transformation during the wartime period?

The discourse on ‘Overcoming Modernity’ reflected Japan’s existential struggle to reconcile tradition with progress, nationalism with globalism, and war with peace. It underscored the profound questions of cultural identity and societal change that shaped Japan’s trajectory amidst the challenges of the 20th century.