The SNU Institute for Japanese Studies hosts seminars in Japanese, Korean, and English, inviting experts from Korea, Japan, Europe, and the United States to discuss a wide range of topics covering Japanese politics, economy, society, culture, and arts.
The upcoming 292nd Expert Seminar will explore the topic, “Breaking Free from the Yoke of the 'Resistance Poet': The 1950s National Literature Debate and Yamanokuchi Baku” (「抵抗詩人」の軛から抜け出して―1950年代の国民文学論と山之口貘―). We welcome all those who are interested to attend.
*Lunch will be provided on-site from 12:00 PM (available until supplies last).
*On-site participation does not require prior registration.
Date & Time: Tuesday, March 25, 2025, 12:00–14:00 (Lecture starts at 12:30)
Venue: GL Room, Graduate School of International Studies (GSIS), SNU
Online via ZOOM: https://snu-ac-kr.zoom.us/j/5832898745
ZOOM ID: 583 289 8745
Language: Japanese
Speaker: Prof. Akito Sakasai(逆井聡人)(Associate Professor, Department of Language and Information Sciences, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, The University of Tokyo)
Yamanokuchi Baku (1903–1963), a poet from Okinawa, has long been recognized as a "resistance poet" who wrote anti-war poetry during World War II. However, with the publication of the New Edition of the Complete Works of Yamanokuchi Baku (新編 山之口貘全集) in 2013, marking the 50th anniversary of his passing, perceptions of his legacy have begun to shift. This newly compiled collection includes poems that had never been published in his previous anthologies or complete works—some of which contain pro-war themes, challenging the long-held narrative of Yamanokuchi as a resistance poet. This discovery has sparked a reevaluation of his position in literary history: Did Yamanokuchi Baku truly resist the war, or did he, in some ways, cooperate? Furthermore, the framework of "resistance" that has defined him since the 1950s has never been critically reassessed. Is this framework itself flawed? This lecture will explore these questions in depth.
For inquiries: Institute for Japanese Studies Administration Office
Tel: 880-8503 | Email: ijs@snu.ac.kr