Tsugaru: Regional Identity On Japan's Northern Periphery - Softcover

Hasegawa, Seiichi; Johnson, Henry; Kawanishi, Hidemichi; Kitahara, Kanako; Rausch, Anthony

9781877372087: Tsugaru: Regional Identity On Japan's Northern Periphery

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1877372080 ISBN 13: 9781877372087

Publisher: Otago Univ Pr, 2005

Tsugaru is located in the northwest corner of Japan's main island, Honshu. With a rugged landscape and challenging weather, it was bypassed by Japan's industrial development after World War II. It has remained relatively rustic, with its countryside dotted with rice paddies and apple orchards. As a result, it is rich in culture and diversity with people of many different dialects and traditions. This book serves both as an introduction to the region and as an essay on regional identity in the modern state. In a series of interesting essays the authors examine many aspects of Tsugaru life and culture: history (including the arrival of Christian missionaries in the 19th century), the 'Tsugaru shamisen' (a unique folk musical instrument enjoying a revival in Japanese popular music), the region's distinctive lacquerware, sculpture, literature (looking at the work of writers Dazai Osamu and Osabe Hideo) and performing arts.

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