RJCS 22: Decentering Theory: Reconsidering the History of Japanese Film Theory

[Aaron Gerow]

I am pleased to announce the publication of Issue 22 of the Review of  
Japanese Culture and Society dedicated to the theme, "Decentering  
Theory: Reconsidering the History of Japanese Film Theory." This is  
the first publication in a non-Japanese language to consider the rich  
and varied history of Japanese film theory. It presents both  
translations of some of the major works and scholarly analyses of  
those theorists and their historical contributions to film thought. A  
major theme throughout the issue is the unique problem of how to  
approach and define film theory in Japan.

Thinkers represented include Nakai Masakazu, Hasumi Shigehiko, Yoshida  
Kiju, Imamura Taihei, Gonda Yasunosuke, Sato Tadao, Kitada Akihiro,  
and Nakamura Hideyuki, with works ranging in era from 1914 to 2011.  
They all focus on questions of the status of cinema and how to  
approach it, but other topics broached include animation, early  
cinema, mediation, spectatorship, documentary, meaning, and Ozu  
Yasujiro. A translation of one of Akutagawa Ryunosuke's "film scripts"  
is also included.

The Review of Japanese Culture and Society is published by Josai  
University in Japan. Single issues can be purchased for $20.00 (US):

http://www.josairjcs.com/subscriptions.html

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Aaron Gerow, Introduction: The Theory Complex

Sato Tadao, Does Film Theory Exist in Japan?
(translated by Joanne Bernardi)

Gonda Yasunosuke, The Principles and Applications of the Moving  
Pictures (Excerpts)
(translated by Aaron Gerow)

Aaron Gerow, The Process of Theory: Reading Gonda Yasunosuke and Early  
Film Theory

Imamura Taihei, A Theory of the Animated Sound Film
(translated by Michael Baskett)
Imamura Taihei, A Theory of Film Documentary
(translated by Michael Baskett)

Irie Yoshiro, Approaching Imamura Taihei: Film Theory and Originality
(translated by Phil Kaffen)

Nakai Masakazu, Film Theory and the Crisis in Contemporary Aesthetics
(translated by Phil Kaffen)

Kitada Akihiro, An Assault on $B!H(BMeaning$B!I(B: On Nakai  
Masakazu$B!G(Bs Concept of $B!H(BMediation$B!I(B
(translated by Alex Zahlten)

Yoshida Kiju, My Theory of Film: A Logic of Self-Negation
(translated by Patrick Noonan)

Patrick Noonan, The Alterity of Cinema: Subjectivity, Self-Negation,  
and Self-Realization in
Yoshida Kiju$B!G(Bs Film Criticism

Ryan Cook, Hasumi Shigehiko and Film Theory

Nakamura Hideyuki, Ozu, or On the Gesture
(translated by Kendall Heitzman)

Fiction:
Akutagawa Ryunosuke Asakusa Park: A Certain Film Script
(translated by Kyoko Selden)


Aaron Gerow
Associate Professor
Film Studies Program/East Asian Languages and Literatures
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Film Studies
Yale University
53 Wall Street, Room 316
PO Box 208363
New Haven, CT 06520-8363
USA
Phone: 1-203-432-7082
Fax: 1-203-432-6764
e-mail: aaron.gerow at yale.edu
site: www.aarongerow.com