The Problem of Decolonizing Japan Studies: Rashomon, “In a Grove,” and “Tied up in Mt. Oe”

Red Poster with Comic images reading: The Problem of Decolonizing Japan Studies: Rashomon, "In a Grove," and "Tied up in Mt. Oe" Presented by Sachi Schmidt-Hori Friday, October 18, 2024 4:30p-6:30p in 358 Susan Campbell Hall Sponsored by Religious Studies the OHC's endowment for Public Outreach in the Arts, Sciences & Humanities; East Asian Languages and Literatures; and the Center for Asian and Pacific Studies
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The Problem of Decolonizing Japan Studies: Rashomon, “In a Grove,” and “Tied up in Mt. Oe”
Presented by Sachi Schmidt-Hori
Red Poster with Comic images reading: The Problem of Decolonizing Japan Studies: Rashomon, "In a Grove," and "Tied up in Mt. Oe" Presented by Sachi Schmidt-Hori Friday, October 18, 2024 4:30p-6:30p in 358 Susan Campbell Hall Sponsored by Religious Studies the OHC's endowment for Public Outreach in the Arts, Sciences & Humanities; East Asian Languages and Literatures; and the Center for Asian and Pacific StudiesFriday, October 18, 2024
4:30p-6:30p in 358 Susan Campbell Hall

 

 

In this seminar, Sachi will explore the decolonization of Japan Studies by examining the interconnected narratives of the Mt. Oe setsuwa from the Konjaku monogatari-shu, the story “Yabu no naka” (In a Grove), and Akira Kurosawa’s film Rashomon. Their analysis will focus on how modern scholars often misinterpret these narratives, particularly viewing them through the lens of Masago’s unreliable testimony. It’s argued that this approach limits our understanding of the metanarrative embedded within the texts, including their annotations, commentaries, and translations. By challenging these contemporary readings, the aim is to uncover the deeper cultural and historical contexts of the Mt. Oe setsuwa, fostering a more nuanced and decolonized perspective in Japan Studies.