Controversies surrounding the role of the intellectual in the context of the Japanese radical left in the first decades of the 20th century

Abstract

The article analyzes the controversy surrounding the role of the intellectual within the context of the Japanese radical left during the first decades of the 20th century, centering on the debate triggered by the “Manifesto” by Arishima Takeo (1878-1923). After presenting the formation of the radical left in Japan, the text examines Arishima’s arguments, which questioned the ability of intellectuals from elite backgrounds to genuinely act in favor of the proletariat, primarily through literature. Engaging with the responses of Hirabayashi Hatsunosuke (1892-1931) and Sakai Toshihiko (1871-1933) to Arishima’s text, it discusses the tension between class origin, political engagement, and intellectual and/or literary production perceived through a critical lens. Finally, it argues that the controversy anticipated subsequent debates regarding class consciousness, the ethical responsibilities of the intellectual, and related issues.