In premodern Japan, there was no concept of categorizing people based on skin color or other physical characteristics. However, with the introduction of Western notions of “race” in the early Meiji period (1868-1912), textbooks and other educational materials began disseminating these ideas. Furthermore, as Meiji Japan gained power and pride—along with the colonization of surrounding peoples in Taiwan (1895) and Korea (1905)—the racial hierarchy made a transformation. This talk will examine how late 19th century Japan textbooks described key terms such as “race” (jinshu) and “civilization” (bunmei), analyzing how these narratives shifted in response to Japan Nation-State’s territorial expansion and colonial ambitions.

TAKEZAWA Yasuko, professor emeritus at Kyōto University and professor at Kansai Gaidai University, specializes in the construction of representations of “race” and racism.