Repetition and Diversity of "Modernization": Analysis of Discursive Deconstruction of "the East and the West" by Using Foucault's "Archaeology"

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K00388
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 02030:English literature and literature in the English language-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Ise Yoshio 大阪大学, 大学院人文学研究科(言語文化学専攻), 名誉教授 (80223048)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 知の考古学 / 英国植民地文学 / 日本植民地文学 / 近代化言説 / GHQ日本占領政策

Outline of Final Research Achievements

For this research, I had developed a revised “Archaeology of Knowledge” methodology by redefining the concept of “Discursive Formations”, drawing on Michel Foucault's research. Using this approach for various historical materials, I have explored the construction of “representations of India” in British India, the incorporation of colonized areas into the world system of White supremacy and the transformation of indigeneity, while I have observed how the modern Japan in the face of colonization by the West had promoted its modernization and created a counter-discourse against the West during the process. The research also focused on how Japan was incorporated into the American discourse through GHQ's occupation policy in the wake of its defeat in the Pacific War. I have conducted these researches by using synchronic and diachronic comparative approaches from plural perspectives, and published the research results in papers, a book, and a presentation at an academic conference.

Free Research Field

英国植民地文学、日英文化比較

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

従来、旧植民地地域の言説（表象）研究では、その研究対象として日本が除外される傾向がある。しかしながら本研究では、欧米優位の文化ヘゲモニーに組み込まれたアジア諸国と同様、一方的に欧米の言説の中で表象された日本の近代化と土着の変容の歴史と、そしてその過程で西欧帝国主義の対抗言説として創出された日本帝国主義を、「知の考古学」的方法論でもって検証した。その様な複合的な研究を行うことによって、より普遍的なレベルでの帝国主義の文化支配や近代化の実体が明確になり、したがって、単にポストコロニアル研究を補完するだけではなく、いかなる優位者による異文化表象や言説形成を研究するための方法論を構築できたと考える。