The Structure of Detachment: The Aesthetic Vision of Kuki Shuzo

Published by University of Hawaii Press 2004

The Structure of Detachment

The Aesthetic Vision of Kuki Shuzo

Edited by: Hiroshi Nara , J. Thomas Rimer and Jon Mark Mikkelsen
Translated by: Hiroshi Nara

https://doi.org/10.1515/9780824865054

Overview
Contents

About this book

Published in 1930, when Japan was struggling to define and assert its national and cultural identity, The Structure of Iki (Iki no kôzô) re-introduced the Japanese to a sophisticated tradition of urbane and spirited stylishness (iki) that was forged in the Edo period. Upon his return from Europe, Kuki Shûzô (1888–1941) made use of the new theoretical frameworks based on Western Continental methodology to redefine the significance of iki in Japanese society and culture. By applying Heidegger’s hermeneutics to this cultural phenomenon, he attempted to recast traditional understanding in the context of Western aesthetic theory and reestablish the centrality of a purely Japanese sense of "taste."

The three critical essays that accompany this new translation of The Structure of Iki look at various aspects of Kuki, his work, and the historical context that influenced his thinking. Hiroshi Nara first traces Kuki’s interest in a philosophy of life through his exposure to Husserl, Heidegger, and Bergson. In the second essay, J. Thomas Rimer compels readers to reexamine The Structure of Iki as a work in the celebrated tradition of zuihitsu (stream-of-consciousness writings) and takes into account French literary influences on Kuki. The philosopher’s controversial link with Heidegger is explored by Jon Mark Mikkelsen in the final essay.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	i
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	vii
Acknowledgments Publicly Available Download PDF	ix
Introduction Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
PART I: translation of Iki no kõzõ
Translator’s Preface Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	9
The Structure of Iki kuki Shùzõ Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	13
PART II :Essays
Capturing the Shudders and Palpitations: Kuki’s Quest for a Philosophy of Life hiroshi nara Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	95
Literary Stances :The Structure of Iki j. thomas rimer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	130
Reading Kuki Shūzō’s The Structure of Iki in the Shadow of L’affaire Heidegger jon mark mikkelsen Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	148
Kuki Shūzō Chronology Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	171
Contributors Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	177
Translation Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	179
Essay Index Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	183

Language: English
Publisher: University of Hawaii Press
Audience: Professional and scholarly;
Pages
- Main content: 200
Illustrations
- Other: 59 illus.

eBook

Published: April 30, 2004
ISBN: 9780824865054