33 - Honma Hisao (1886–1981): Expert on Oscar Wilde

Summary

INTRODUCTION

HONMA HISAO (1886–1981), although little known in Britain, played an important role in transmitting English ideas of the late nineteenth century to Japan during the Taishō Period (1912–1926). He had a long life and made important contributions in several fields. During the first half of his life, while serving as a lecturer at Waseda University, he was engaged in journalism. At one time editor in chief of Waseda Bungaku, he helped to form public opinion in social as well as literary matters. He prided himself as a translator and introducer of the thoughts of Oscar Wilde (1854–1900), Ellen Key (1849–1926) and William Morris (1834–1896). He was also a kabuki and art critic. After a one-year stay in England, he published his doctoral dissertation, Eikoku Kinsei Yuibishugi no Kenkyū. (A Study of Aestheticism in Modern England) in 1934. He then turned to research in the nascent field of Meiji literature where his most important contribution was the five volume work, Meiji Bungaku Shi (A History of Meiji Literature). He was also one of the initiators of the study of comparative literature in Japan. During the latter half of his life, therefore, Honma as an academic looked first outward into fin de siècle English literature, then inward to Meiji literature, and finally tried to immerse himself in the comparative study of world literature. He remained active as a scholar until his death in 1981 at the age of ninety-four. This essay focuses on Honma Hisao's lifelong association with Oscar Wilde.

BACKGROUND AND EDUCATION

Honma was born in Yonezawa City in the Tōhōku region. During the Edo Period, the Yonezawa domain was ruled by the Uesugi family. Since the Uesugi fought against the Tokugawa at the battle of Sekigahara in 1600, they were given the small domain of Yonezawa instead of the large and rich Echigo plain which they had previously ruled. Since the Uesugi moved with all their retainers into the small Yonezawa district, the domain was always overpopulated and its inhabitants poor. Their domain was further reduced during the Edo Period. The Uesugi family was prestigious, but it played little part in the administration of the Edo Bakufu. During the civil war of 1868–1869, they once again fought on the losing side.