4.1 The rise of proletarian literature and its socio-political context

The rise of proletarian literature in Japan stemmed from rapid industrialization and growing class divides. Workers faced harsh conditions, sparking labor movements and a new literary genre focused on their struggles.

Proletarian writers aimed to raise class consciousness and critique capitalism through their works. Despite initial momentum, the movement faced government suppression and internal conflicts, ultimately declining as militarism took hold in the 1930s.

Socio-political Context

Taisho Democracy and Industrialization

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• Taisho Democracy (1912-1926) brought a brief period of political liberalization and increased public participation in politics
• Rapid industrialization during the Taisho era led to the growth of urban centers and the emergence of a new working class (factory workers, miners)
• Industrialization also contributed to the rise of labor movements as workers sought better working conditions and rights
• Economic growth during this period was accompanied by widening social inequalities and class divisions

Labor Movements and Class Consciousness

• Labor movements emerged in response to poor working conditions, low wages, and lack of worker protections
• Workers organized strikes and unions to demand better treatment and negotiate with employers (Yūaikai, Japan's first labor union, founded in 1912)
• Increasing class consciousness among workers as they recognized their shared struggles and interests as a distinct social class
• Labor movements faced significant challenges and suppression from the government and employers

Marxism and its Influence

• Marxist ideas, emphasizing class struggle and the need for revolution, gained popularity among Japanese intellectuals and activists
• Marxism provided a framework for understanding and critiquing the social and economic inequalities of industrialized Japan
• Japanese Marxists sought to apply Marxist principles to the specific context of Japan's social and political situation
• Marxist thought influenced the development of proletarian literature and left-wing political movements in Japan

Proletarian Literature Movement

Emergence and Goals of Proletarian Literature

• Proletarian literature emerged in the 1920s as a literary movement focused on representing the lives and struggles of the working class
• Proletarian writers aimed to raise class consciousness, critique capitalist exploitation, and promote socialist ideals through their works
• Proletarian literature often depicted the harsh realities of factory work, poverty, and social injustice (Kobayashi Takiji's "Kani Kōsen" (The Crab Cannery Ship))
• The movement sought to create a new form of literature that was accessible to and representative of the working class

Key Organizations and Publications

• NAPF (Nippona Artista Proleta Federacio), founded in 1928, was a major organization of proletarian writers, artists, and intellectuals
• NAPF aimed to unite cultural workers in the struggle against capitalism and promote proletarian culture
• KOPF (Federacio de Proletaj Kultur Organizoj Japanaj), established in 1931, was another significant proletarian cultural organization
• Proletarian literature was published in various magazines and journals, such as "Senki" (Battle Flag) and "Puroretaria Geijutsu" (Proletarian Art)

Challenges and Decline

• The proletarian literature movement faced increasing government censorship and suppression in the late 1920s and early 1930s
• Many proletarian writers and activists were arrested and imprisoned for their political activities and beliefs
• The movement also struggled with internal ideological conflicts and debates over the role of literature in the revolutionary struggle
• The rise of militarism and nationalism in the 1930s, along with intensified state repression, led to the decline of the proletarian literature movement