Translation as Criticism: A Century of James Appreciation in Japan

This paper surveys the past one hundred years of James appreciation and scholarship in Japan with a focus on the translation of his works. Its history is discussed in four phases: first, the dawn of Anglo-American studies and its transformations up to the end of WWII (1900-1945); second, the post-WWII reconstruction period (1945-1970); third, the prime period of Japan's economy (1970-1990); and last, the contemporary period (1990-2002). A list of selected translations of James's works is also included. This paper was originally presented at the Henry James Society International Conference, "Henry James Today" (2002).