或る風潮についてOn a Certain Trend

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What you'll learn

The author observes a recent trend of Japanese praising Japan to each other, acknowledging its necessity but critiquing the awkwardness of excessive nationalism. He discusses a radio lecture on Japanese physique, a treatise on Japanese painting, and a book on leprosy, using these to explore deeper issues of cultural identity, modernity, and self-criticism.

Key vocabulary

Grammar points you'll meet

• ～がち N3Tends to; prone to. Often used with negative connotations.
  とかく親類へは無沙汰がちになる
• ～ごとき N1Such as; like; of the kind of (often derogatory or humble).
  学生の芸術ではなく、大人の芸術であると考へられ、
• ～たところで N1Even if (one does); no matter; (used with negative outcome).
  幾百年の後には、洋画の流れもそこに行きつくであらうといふ見透しぐらゐつけてほしいものである。

Cultural notes

• 1930s Japanese Cultural NationalismThe essay reflects the rise of Japanese cultural nationalism in the late 1930s, a period when many intellectuals debated the balance between Western influence and traditional Japanese values. The author critiques superficial praise of Japan while acknowledging the need for national confidence amid international tensions.
• Leprosy in Pre-War JapanThe author mentions the book '小島の春' (Spring on a Small Island), a famous memoir about leprosy patients. This highlights the social stigma and inadequate facilities for Hansen's disease patients in Japan at the time, and the author calls for improvement.

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Topics & grammar

Articleessaynational identityintrospectionphilosophicalnostalgicaozora bunko〜がちgachi · tends to / prone to〜ごときgotoki · like / as if (literary)〜たところでta tokoro de · even if (futile)