Mother-Tongue in Modern Japanese Literature and Criticism: Toward a New Polylingual Poetics

Published in 2018 by Palgrave Macmillan, this academic volume explores the intricate relationship between the Japanese language and national identity within modern literature. Takayuki Yokota-Murakami, a scholar specializing in comparative literature, examines how the concept of a mother tongue was constructed and challenged during Japan's modernization process. The work seeks to dismantle monolithic views of language, arguing instead for a more complex, polylingual framework that accounts for the diverse cultural and linguistic exchanges defining Japanese literary history.

The book is a significant contribution to the field of literary criticism, often cited in academic circles for its rigorous deconstruction of nationalistic linguistic ideologies. By investigating the works of canonical authors and critics, Yokota-Murakami interrogates the historical intersections of empire, translation, and identity. The design and structure of the volume reflect its academic purpose, serving as a comprehensive inquiry intended for researchers and students engaged in Japanese studies, linguistics, and post-colonial theory.