Voices against Gender-based Violence in Contemporary Japanese Literature:
Voices against Gender-based Violence in Contemporary Japanese Literature:

An Analysis of Two Novels by Kaoruko Himeno and Aoko Matsuda

Author(s): Letizia Guarini
Subject(s): Gender Studies, Studies of Literature, Sociology of Literature
Published by: Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci
Keywords: Japanese literature; gender-based violence; feminist movements; Kaoruko Himeno; Aoko Matsuda;
Summary/Abstract: While the #MeToo movement has not gained much popularity in Japan, in recent years, several individuals and organizations have spoken out against gender discrimination and gender-based violence. At the same time, literature is also a place where women address these issues. The aim of this paper is to explore feminist voices in Japanese contemporary literature vis-à-vis recent feminist movements. The first part of this paper examines recent examples of gender-based violence in Japan and the actions initiated by women in response to them. The second part focuses on two novels: Kanojo wa atama ga warui kara (It’s Because She’s Stupid, 2018) by Kaoruko Himeno, and Jizoku kanō na tamashii no riyō (The Sustainable Use of Our Souls, 2020) by Aoko Matsuda. Through an interdisciplinary approach, this study aims to explore the connection between activism and literary studies, looking at literature as a feminist act of resistance.

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