Promiscuous Media

Film and Visual Culture in Imperial Japan, 1926-1945

Nonfiction, Entertainment, Film, History & Criticism, Performing Arts
Cover of the book Promiscuous Media by Hikari Hori, Cornell University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Hikari Hori ISBN: 9781501712166
Publisher: Cornell University Press Publication: January 15, 2018
Imprint: Cornell University Press Language: English
Author: Hikari Hori
ISBN: 9781501712166
Publisher: Cornell University Press
Publication: January 15, 2018
Imprint: Cornell University Press
Language: English

In Promiscuous Media, Hikari Hori makes a compelling case that the visual culture of Showa-era Japan articulated urgent issues of modernity rather than serving as a simple expression of nationalism. Hori makes clear that the Japanese cinema of the time was in fact almost wholly built on a foundation of Russian and British film theory as well as American film genres and techniques. Hori provides a range of examples that illustrate how maternal melodrama and animated features, akin to those popularized by Disney, were adopted wholesale by Japanese filmmakers.

Emperor Hirohito's image, Hori argues, was inseparable from the development of mass media; he was the first emperor whose public appearances were covered by media ranging from postcards to radio broadcasts. Worship of the emperor through viewing his image, Hori shows, taught the Japanese people how to look at images and primed their enjoyment of early animation and documentary films alike. Promiscuous Media links the political and the cultural closely in a way that illuminates the nature of twentieth-century Japanese society.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In Promiscuous Media, Hikari Hori makes a compelling case that the visual culture of Showa-era Japan articulated urgent issues of modernity rather than serving as a simple expression of nationalism. Hori makes clear that the Japanese cinema of the time was in fact almost wholly built on a foundation of Russian and British film theory as well as American film genres and techniques. Hori provides a range of examples that illustrate how maternal melodrama and animated features, akin to those popularized by Disney, were adopted wholesale by Japanese filmmakers.

Emperor Hirohito's image, Hori argues, was inseparable from the development of mass media; he was the first emperor whose public appearances were covered by media ranging from postcards to radio broadcasts. Worship of the emperor through viewing his image, Hori shows, taught the Japanese people how to look at images and primed their enjoyment of early animation and documentary films alike. Promiscuous Media links the political and the cultural closely in a way that illuminates the nature of twentieth-century Japanese society.

More books from Cornell University Press

Cover of the book Contemporary Slavery by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book The Face of Decline by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Images from the Region of the Pueblo Indians of North America by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Life and Death in Captivity by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Twilight of the Titans by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book The One Percent Solution by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Life Support by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Immigrants and Electoral Politics by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Reforming Asian Labor Systems by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Informal Workers and Collective Action by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book A Not Too Greatly Changed Eden by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Rape during Civil War by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Unions and the City by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Dangerous Guests by Hikari Hori
Cover of the book Raja Yudhisthira by Hikari Hori
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy