Nationalism, Gender Ideology, and Transnational Influences in Josei Nihonjin: 1920–1923

Abstract

Josei Nihonjin (1920–1923), published by Seikyōsha, was a monthly female magazine that sought to educate women on the social, cultural, and political transformations shaping Japan and the world. Under the editorial guidance of Miyake Kaho and with contributors such as Hiratsuka Raichō and Yamakawa Kikue, the periodical became a vocal platform for women's rights and their societal involvement. While aligning with the national paradigm of ryōsai kenbo 良妻賢母 (“good wife, wise mother”), the magazine frequently engaged with Asian and Western concepts of female emancipation, reflecting on movements outside Japan. Through an approach that integrates studies on nationalism, gender ideology, and transnational perspectives, this study analyzes how Josei Nihonjin writers critically engaged with and reinterpreted global discourses on female emancipation, including Western feminist movements and Asian social reforms. By juxtaposing these ideas with Japan’s ryōsai kenbo ideology, they highlighted convergences and tensions, ultimately crafting a unique perspective that sought to expand women’s roles within the nationalist framework. By exploring the intersection of nation-building and global discourses on women’s roles, this paper builds upon existing literature on Taishō-era female periodicals and contributes to ongoing debates on gender, modernity, and nationalism, offering fresh insights into these magazines' role in shaping Japanese women's societal positions.