Textual Analysis of Film Censorship and Self-Regulation in Japan, 1925-1956

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K02180
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Art at large
• Research Institution: Kyoto University (2016-2017); Tokyo Metropolitan University (2015)
• Principal Investigator: Kinoshita Chika 京都大学, 人間・環境学研究科, 准教授 (60589612)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 検閲 / 日本映画史 / ジェンダー / 内務省 / 占領期 / ポスト占領期 / 民間情報教育局 / 映画倫理規程管理委員会

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research excavated, described, and analyzed archival documents generated by film censorship and self-regulatory bodies in Japan, 1925-1956. It includes three specific periods: the Home Ministry’s national censorship system, 1925-1945; the Allied (de-facto US) Occupation government’s censorship, 1945-1949; and the Motion Picture Code of Ethics Committee (Eiga Rinri Kitei Kanri Iinnka), film majors’ self-regulation system modeled on the Motion Picture Association of America, 1949-1956. Focusing on representation of gender and sexuality, I analyzed written records, such as censored screenplays, conference reports, and production memos, vis-a-vis surviving films, and thereby threw into relief how film texts played out, negotiated, and inscribed the contradictions and conflicts between legal, political, social, and gender norms and values. I presented this research at several international conferences and published as a main part of my book, a book chapter, and essays.

Free Research Field

映画学