The Development of the Literary ties Between Russia and Japan During the Second Half of the 20th Century (1940–1980s)

Abstract

Relevance. The literature of Russia had a significant impact on the culture of Japan, allowing the Japanese reader to get in touch with the secret of the Russian soul. The study of Soviet-Japanese literary ties makes it possible to identify the ideological foundations of nations that bring them together. Literary interaction between Japan and the USSR in the post-war period was traced by researchers in fragments. At the moment, it is necessary, using archival documents, as well as Japanese periodicals, for the first time introduced into scientific circulation, to turn to the study of Soviet-Japanese literary relations in the post-war decades. The purpose of the study is to determine the forms of mutual penetration of Japanese and Russian literary cre-ativity in the 1940-1980s. Objectives: to reveal the contribution of the subjects of literary interaction to the development of Soviet-Japanese literary ties, to study the mechanism of literary interaction between the influence of two cultures. Methodology. The comparative-historical and chronological methods were used in the work. Results. In the study we talk about Japanese literary movements and public organizations, the contribution of Japan’s friendship societies to the development of literary ties between Russia and Japan. The article also explores the actions of American occupation authorities preventing the spread of Russian and Soviet literature in Japan in the early post World War II years. Furthermore, we trace the activity of the Japanese public who attempted to overcome the obstacles, consolidate and unite efforts for the cultural cooperation with the USSR. The author highlights the contribution of the Japan’s private press to the spread of Russian literature. Conclusion. The predominant forms of mutual penetration of Japanese and Russian literature were the translation of works of literature of one country into the language of another people, as well as the perception and reproduction in the literary work of writers of one people, ideas and meanings of texts by authors of another culture. The ideas embodied in the works of Russian classical literature often met with understanding in the souls of Japanese readers. This fact is demonstrated by theatrical performances of plays by Russian writers and the reaction of the Japanese audience to them. Thus, the literary ties between the two countries gave rise to interaction in the field of theater and other areas, contributing to the proximity and closer contact between the two cultures.