Showa Literary World Ibunroku: The Intersection of Pure Literature and Science Fiction in the Late 1970s

Showa Literary World Ibunroku: The Intersection of Pure Literature and Science Fiction in the Late 1970s

In the Japanese literary world of the late 1970s, there was a clear conflict between "pure literature" and "popular literature/science fiction. Within this conflict, Tanabe Yuko and Fuji Masaharu took the position of pure literature, emphasizing the depiction of human nature and social issues. On the other hand, Sakyo Komatsu and Yasutaka Tsutsui sought new literary possibilities by depicting the future and social changes through science fiction and popular literature. These two positions were deeply related not only to different ideas about literature, but also to the changing times and shifting tastes of readers.

Tanabe Yuko was known as a critic and writer interested in social and women's issues, and believed that literature had a social responsibility. In particular, it is highly likely that she believed it was important to take a critical look at political and social contradictions and reflect them in her works. Masaharu Fuji also emphasized the importance of deeply depicting the lives of ordinary people and human psychology, and believed that pure literature was the only way to express the essence of human nature. For them, literature was a mirror that illuminated the inner life of society and individuals, and entertaining science fiction and popular literature were not considered to play such a role.

In contrast, Sakyo Komatsu published many science fiction works on the theme of science, technology, and the future of society, especially "The Sinking of Japan" in 1973, which became a major social phenomenon. He believed that science fiction was not mere entertainment, but a "philosophy" and a "predictor of society. He believed that the role of science fiction was to make people think about the future by depicting technological progress and social change. Yasutaka Tsutsui, on the other hand, explored new possibilities in literature, making use of humor and experimental techniques. He was not restricted to the pure literary form, but incorporated elements of science fiction and nonsense literature to create works that had a strong impact on readers.

This difference in literary outlook was closely related to the social situation in the late 1970s. Japan's rapid economic growth had come to an end, and the oil shock of 1973 brought widespread economic uncertainty. This led to a sense of stagnation throughout society and a different approach to literature. Writers of pure literature focused on depicting this sense of stagnation and the internal anguish of individuals, while science fiction writers tried to provide a new perspective by depicting science and technology and the possibilities of the future.

Against this background, a dialogue between Yuko Tanabe and Masaharu Fuji published in "Sunday Mainichi" was critical of Sakyo Komatsu. In particular, the words "I got a stomach ulcer because Komatsu and others were around me," may have expressed dissatisfaction with his works and style of discussion. Komatsu Sakyo was a debater and liked to talk about the future, which may have been seen as "intrusive" and "excessive" by writers of pure literature. Another example that reflects the conflict between pure literature and science fiction is the fact that he called the story of "Tsutsui Yasutaka reading Tanabe Youko's eulogy" "idiotic. It is likely that Yuko Tanabe and Masaharu Fuji did not appreciate Yasutaka Tsutsui's nonsense style and humor because they considered it "frivolous as literature.

Behind this dialogue lies the conflict of "pure literature vs. science fiction and popular literature" in the literary world of the time. Writers on the side of pure literature felt a sense of crisis over the decline of their own literature's influence due to the rise of science fiction and entertainment. On the other hand, SF writers believed that pure literature had become too introverted and closed, and sought new possibilities for expression. This controversy was not merely a conflict of opinion among individual writers, but also symbolized the changing times.

As a result, from the late 1970s through the 1980s, science fiction and popular literature gained more and more support, while pure literature gradually shifted toward a narrower audience. This dialogue was a symbolic event at such a turning point in the literary world, and was one of the most important statements reflecting the changing times.