How did Western literature shape Meiji period writing?

Following the end of the sakoku policy and the increasing westernization of the Meiji era, Western literature profoundly influenced modern Japanese writers. This period of intense cultural exchange also gave rise to new literary genres, such as the confessional I-novel, which was shaped by the Japanese reception of naturalism. Concurrently, Japanese literature gained greater international recognition during this time of societal transformation.

What we know

• Western literature influenced the development of modern Japanese writers following the end of the sakoku policy and during the westernization of the Meiji era. [2]
• The I-novel genre was founded based on the Japanese reception of naturalism during the Meiji period. [4]
• Japanese literature became more recognized internationally following the westernization and changes of the Meiji era. [2]

Where to go next

• a case in pointWhat is an I-novel?
• what caused itHow did the Meiji Restoration change Japanese society?
• whoWho were the leaders of the Meiji oligarchy?
• the bigger pictureWhat is the history of Japanese literature?
• compared withHow did Heian period literature differ from Meiji literature?
• an unexpected connectionHow did political westernization lead to confessional fiction?Political and economic opening to the West during the Meiji period directly sparked literary movements like naturalism that birthed highly personal confessional novels.

Sources

• [1]Japanese literature (Wikidata Q231425) · CC0 1.0
• [2]Japanese literature · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [3]Meiji Restoration · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [4]I-novel · CC BY-SA 4.0
• [5]Meiji oligarchy · CC BY-SA 4.0