THE VIEWPOINTS OF TURKISH INTELLECTUALS ON JAPAN IN THE BEGINNING OF THE 20TH CENTURY AND THE BOOK “ILLUSTRATED JAPANESE CHILDREN”
20. YÜZYILIN BASINDA TÜRK AYDINLARININ JAPONYA’YA BAKISI VE “MUSAVVER JAPON ÇOCUKLARI” KITABI

Summary/Abstract: Though the relations between Turkey and Japan do not date back long, they have been established on solid grounds. Despite the distance between the two countries, Turkish people have had great interest and sympathy towards the Japanese. The source of this interest relies on the fact that both Japanese and Turkish societies are built upon traditions. Moreover, similar to Ottoman Empire which had conflicts through centuries with Russia, the Japanese also had problems such as war with Russia during early 20th century. As a reflection of these facts, Japanese people have been good towards the Turkish and responded likewise. This sympathy became tangible during the reign of Abdulhamid II and was crowned with the official voyage of frigate Ertugrul on 14 July 1889 with 655 people on board. This visit and the catastrophe which followed it amplified the affection between the two societies. Both countries, geographically away but with similar destinies, have continued to follow one another. Similar to their Japanese counterparts, Turkish intellectuals were involved in the debates about reformism and traditionalism, and had deep respect to the Japanese for their struggle to become developed while staying close to their traditions. As a result of this, Turkish intellectuals wrote or translated books about the Japanese and tried to introduce theirJapanese friends to their own society. One of these books is the subject of our article, nomely “Musavver Japon Çocukları” (Japanese Children Illustrated). The apparel, games and toys and the training of Japanese children in various areas are covered densely; their ways of life and their education are appreciated in this book. Additionally, this book stands as an important resource for identifying the standpoint of Turkish intellectuals about the Japanese.

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