How did Western literature influence Japanese writers after the Meiji Restoration?

Following the Meiji Restoration, Western literature profoundly transformed Japanese writing by introducing new aesthetic values, genres, and linguistic approaches.

Literary Theory and Realism

Early translations of European works, such as Samuel Smiles’s Self-Help, initially served as models for success. However, scholars like Tsubouchi Shōyō soon used European criticism to reject didacticism in favor of artistic value and realism. This shift elevated the status of the novel, which had previously been dismissed as mere entertainment.1

Language and Form

Influenced by Russian literature, Futabatei Shimei pioneered the use of the colloquial language in his novel Ukigumo, arguing it was essential for depicting contemporary society. Similarly, the translation of Western poetry introduced new structures, such as rhymed and unrhymed verse, and encouraged poets to explore themes beyond the traditional tanka and haiku forms.12

Movements and Styles

Later, movements like naturalism—inspired by Émile Zola—and Symbolism gained traction. While Japanese writers often adapted these foreign models, they frequently integrated them with traditional sensibilities, creating a unique synthesis that defined modern Japanese literature.32