Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
Home> Volumes> Volume CHR Vol.30> Article
Research Article

How Art Has Been a Window to the Post-War Generation in Japan

Zijing LiHaidian Kaiwen Academy*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

In this research, our primary focus revolves around the role of art as a lens through which we can examine the impact of World War II on Japanese citizens, with a particular emphasis on the post-war generation. Two renowned Japanese contemporary artists, Nara Yoshimoto and Takashi Murakami, are central to our study. While their artworks may not seem directly related to the war at first glance, a closer examination reveals that both artists use metaphorical expressions to convey the fear and aftermath of the war. Through this study, I also found that both artists experienced the war's effects during childhood due to the bombings that marked its conclusion. This analysis explores how the Japanese perceive themselves in the aftermath of the war. Rather than addressing the topic directly, they often employ metaphorical references. The significance of this study lies in shedding light on the indirect ways in which the Japanese people reflect on their post-war identity and the lasting impact of World War II.

Keywords: Post-war Impact; World War Two; Bombing
Published: May 17, 2024
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/30/20231557
Volume: CHR Vol.30
pp. 67-76
Download PDF

References

  1. Selden, Mark. “A Forgotten Holocaust: US Bombing Strategy, the Destruction of Japanese Cities & the American Way of War from World War II to Iraq.” The Asia-Pacific Journal, 2 May 2007, apjjf.org/-Mark-Selden/2414/article.html
  2. Cosgrove, Ben. “After Hiroshima: Portraits of Survivors.” Time, 20 Mar. 2014, time.com/3879427/hiroshima-portraits-of-survivors/feed/. Accessed 24 July 2023.
  3. “The Most Fearsome Sight: The Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima.” The National WWII Museum | New Orleans, 6 Aug. 2020, www.nationalww2museum.org/war/articles/atomic-bomb-hiroshima.
  4. Igarashi, Yoshikuni. Bodies of Memory. Course Book ed., 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, Princeton University Press, p. 304, www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.1515/9781400842988/html.
  5. Araki, Shunichi, and Katsuyuki Murata. Suicide Mortality in Japan: Analysis of the Unusual Secular Trends. Department of Public Health and Hygiene.
  6. Yuko, Kawanishi. “On Karo-Jisatsu (Suicide by Overwork): Why Do Japanese Workers Work Themselves to Death?” Taylor and Francis, Ltd.
  7. Nabeshima, Yuri Kuroda. “KAROSHI” Comparative Overview of Brazilian and Japanese Law Related to Karoshi. pp. 243–264.
  8. Ivy, Marilyn. “The Art of Cute Little Things: Nara Yoshitomo’s Parapolitics.” Mechademia, vol. 5, pp. 3–29, www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/41510955.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%25253A5ba5350cce118d6d30deb0f57dc1682b&ab_segments=0%25252Fbasic_search_gsv2%25252Fcontrol&origin=&initiator=&acceptTC=1. Accessed 24 July 2023.
  9. Nara, Yoshitomo. Yoshitomo Nara: Self-Selected Works-Paintings. 1st ed., 9-1, Umetada-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8136 Japan, Seigensha Art Publishing, Inc., 2015.
  10. Suerth, Sawyer. Yoshitomo Nara - Heritage and Curation
  11. “The Girl with the Knife in Her Hand.” SFMOMA, www.sfmoma.org/artwork/99.132/.
  12. “Yoshitomo Nara - 20th Century & Contemporary Art Evening Sale in Association with Poly Auction Hong Kong Tuesday, June 8, 2021.” Phillips, www.phillips.com/detail/yoshitomo-nara/HK010121/18. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.
  13. “From the Bomb Shelter.” YOSHITOMO NARA the Works, 2017, www.yoshitomonara.org/en/catalogue/YNF6433/. Accessed 24 July 2023.
  14. Los Angeles County Museum of Art. “Yoshitomo Nara – Part 3: No Longer Just a Girl with a Knife: Art after Fukushima | Art & Conversation.” Www.youtube.com, 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVuLK6aA6C8&t=2358s. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.
  15. “Takashi Murakami.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist/murakami-takashi/.
  16. “Takashi Murakami Flowers, Flowers, Flowers, 2010.” Artsy, www.artsy.net/artwork/takashi-murakami-flowers-flowers-flowers-4. Accessed 24 July 2023.
  17. HYPEBEAST. “The Hysteria of This Flower Explained | behind the HYPE: Murakami’s Flowers.” Www.youtube.com, 2021, www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPkAQCdXcLc&t=337s. Accessed 11 Sept. 2023.
  18. “Midnight Surprise.” YOSHITOMO NARA the Works, www.yoshitomonara.org/en/catalogue/YNF6425/.
  19. “Yoshitomo Nara Nice to See You Again.” Sotheby’s.
  20. Luke, Ben. Takashi Murakami. artecontemporáneo gacma, 2007.
  21. Hu, Xiaoming. Is Takashi Murakami’s Art an Exploration of Symbolism?
  22. Bengtsen, Peter. Fashion Curating: Critical Practice in the Museum and Beyond. 2017. 1st ed., Bloomsbury Academic, 28 Dec. 2017, pp. 1–233.
  23. “Louis Vuitton.” TheRealReal, www.therealreal.com/products?keywords=Louis%20Vuitton%20Murakami. Accessed 26 July 2023
  24. Favell, Adrian. Before and after Superflat. 19A Entertainment Building 30 Queen’s Road Central Hong Kong, Blue Kingfisher Limited, 2011, pp. 1–246.