Russian Views of Japan, 1792-1913: An Anthology of Travel Writing
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Author Description
Before Japan Was 'opened Up' In The 1850s, Contact With Russia As Well As Other Western Maritime Nations Was Extremely Limited. Yet From The Early Eighteenth Century Onwards, As A Result Of Their Expanding Commercial Interests In East Asia And The North Pacific, Russians Had Begun To Encounter Japanese And Were Increasingly Eager To Establish Diplomatic And Trading Relations With Japan. This Book Presents Rare Narratives Written By Russians, Including Official Envoys, Scholars And, Later, Tourists, Who Visited Japan Between 1792 And 1913. The Introduction And Notes Set These Narratives In The Context Of The History Of Russo-japanese Relations And The Genre Of European Travel Writing, Showing How The Russian Writers Combined Ethnographic Interests With The Assertion Of Russian And European Values, Simultaneously Inscribing Power Relations And Negotiating Cultural Difference.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This anthology investigates the evolving perceptions of Japan held by Russian travelers, diplomats, and scholars during the critical period of 1792 to 1913. David N. Wells, an expert in Russian cultural history, compiles and annotates a collection of rare primary source narratives to examine how these encounters shaped Russo-Japanese relations. The work argues that these travel accounts served as a mechanism for Russians to project their own cultural values while attempting to navigate the complex power dynamics of East Asia during the pre- and post-opening eras of Japan.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A chronological collection of travel narratives spanning the late eighteenth to the early twentieth century.
- Analysis of the intersection between ethnographic observation and imperial geopolitical interests.
- Primary source documentation from official envoys, academic researchers, and early tourists.
- Contextual frameworks linking individual travel accounts to the broader history of European travel literature and diplomatic history.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars recognize this anthology as a significant resource for understanding the intellectual history of Russian engagement with East Asia. The text is frequently cited for its rigorous contextualization of primary sources, making it a valuable reference for historians interested in cross-cultural perceptions and diplomatic development.
Page Count:
232
Publication Date:
2004-01-01
Publisher:
Taylor & Francis Group
ISBN-10:
0203644263
ISBN-13:
9780203644263
History
Japan
International relations
Travel Writing
Russia
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