[Nichibunken-IHJ Forum] The Power of “Popular Literature”―Why is Matsumoto Seicho So Popular in China?

  • *This event has finished.
  • Lecturer: Wang Cheng
    (Professor, Tsinghua University/ Visiting Research Scholar, Nichibunken)
  • Date: Thursday, December 11, 2014, 6:00-7:30 pm
  • Venue: Iwasaki Koyata Memorial Hall, International House of Japan
  • Language: Japanese (without English interpretation)
  • Co-organized by International Research Center for Japanese Studies (Nichibunken)
  • Admission: Free
  • Seating: 150 (reservations required)

The idea of “popular literature” in China started when, before World War II, Chinese modern writer Iku Tappu transferred the idea from Japan to China. Therefore it can be said that the “popularizing movement” of literature in China in the 1930s was influenced by Japan. But details of this influence are yet to be known. After the 1980s with the opening up of China, Chinese popular culture—literature, movies, animation and comics—faced new developments. According to Prof. Wang, mystery novels such as those by Matsumoto Seichio, “middle novels” such as those by Watanabe Junichi and “trend novels” such as those by Murakami Haruki have grown in popularity in China. In this Forum, Professor Wang will talk about how Japanese “popular literature” such as the books of Matsumoto Seicho is received in China.

Wang Cheng

Photo:Wang ChengGraduated from the University of Snangdong University and finished the master’s course at Beijing Foreign Studies University and doctorate course at Rikkyo University respectively. He specializes in Japanese contemporary and modern literature, comparative literature and culture.


*I-House has started a series of forums in collaboration with Nichibunken to deepen the understanding of contemporary Japan from various perspectives.