Tracing the Provenance of Realism: A Study of Jinmin bunko

Abstract

Jinmin bunko has long been viewed as a magazine that advocated wartime resistance. In this paper, I examine the concept of “realism,” a key word in this magazine, by tracing its provenance to 1928. By around 1928, a theory of realism centered on objectivity was established, but by around 1933, the magazine had made a reversal to subjectivity, along with many Japanese opinion leaders. Both Takeda Rintarō, the publisher of Jinmin bunko, and Yasuda Yojirō, who was later to become his adversary, published many articles advocating realism, but a conflict arose between them over the interpretation of minshū (the people). After following these changing trends, Jinmin bunko finally reached the position of minshuteki riaruizum (realism of the people). By tracing its history, I show that the position of Jinmin bunko cannot simply be classified by a dichotomy such as anti- or pro-war.