On The Image Of China In Modern Japanese Literature

Since ancient times, Japan has begun to learn many kinds of knowledge from China. China was also considered as "Utopia" by Japanese before modern times. With the development of economic and technology rapidly after Meiji reformation in Japan, many Japan writers influenced by Chinese literature deeply has the chance of coming into the China, and to give a look of ideal country in their mind. However, what they found is the destroyed China invaded by Imperialist Powers, which made them so shocked that generating a flout attitude with the comparison between the powerful Japan and weakness China. With the support of such point, Japanese writers described the Chinese and Japanese selectively with a commanding attitude. The relationship between China and Japan has becomes a form of "Civilization—Savagery", and the image of China "Utopia" has been decomposed completely, but considered as dirty, disordered hell in earth.Beijing, the center of economic and culture in China, is the representative of old China. Japanese writers hint the extinction of China by the description of downfall in Beijing royal politics, culture and spirit. Shanghai city is the epitome of Chinese semi-colony society. The depiction of prosperous of Shanghai is to prove that Japan is proud of being one member of Imperialistic nations to carve up China. The depiction of filth about Shanghai is to support their conclusion that China has no reason to exist in this world. The works by Japanese writers depicts the Chinese image in a model style, which are the dirty and ugly appearance and the spiritual numbness. They think that almost all of the Chinese men eat opium, and almost all of Chinese women prostitute themselves. Although some works embody the friendly sense to Chinese intellectuals, which can only be due to the reason that they studied aboard from Japan and Europe and America. Japanese writer always use colonial tone in their works, which forms an isomorphism between colonial culture they belonging to and colonial tone.A deep metaphor has been implied among the Chinese image shaped by these literatures, which firstly reflect the identity of Japanese to themselves. Japan has become prosperous since Meiji reformation, since they are eager to being recognized by other countries. Unfortunately, Modern China, the teacher of Japan in history, has been taken as lively teaching materials to prove them. All these literatures are also taken as the spiritual weapon objectively to invade China.