【Japanese History】Mass Culture and Us: The Dawn of an Era Where Everyone is a Protagonist
Hello everyone! In this lesson, we’re going to dive into a theme in Japanese history that hits very close to our own lives: "Massification" (Taishūka).
You might be thinking, "History is just a bunch of boring memorization," but don't worry! This chapter is all about discovering the "ancestors" of our modern culture—the things we do every day, like using smartphones or listening to the latest hit songs. So, just relax and let's jump in.
1. What does "Massification" actually mean?
In simple terms, massification means that "information and cultural enjoyment, once restricted to the wealthy or privileged classes, became accessible to ordinary people (the masses), allowing them to share in the same trends and interests."
(A relatable example)
Think of it like this: imagine "limited edition products that only celebrities could once afford" suddenly becoming items that "anyone can buy at a convenience store" across the country. Everyone reading the same magazines, listening to the same radio programs, and chasing the same trends—a lifestyle similar to our modern one began to take shape between the Taisho period and the early Showa period.
【Key Point】Why did massification progress?
・Urbanization: Many people moved from rural villages to big cities (like Tokyo and Osaka) to find work.
・Spread of Education: As more people attended school, more people could read and access information.
・Technological Advancement: Printing and broadcasting technologies saw significant growth.
2. A New Lifestyle: Salarymen and Modern Girls
During this era, new types of people emerged—the models for our modern lives.
① Salaryman (The New Middle Class)
These were people who worked for companies or government offices and lived on a monthly salary. They began moving to the suburbs, living in "culture houses" (bunka jūtaku)—modern homes that featured Western-style reception rooms.
② Professional Women (Shokugyō Fujin)
More women began working outside the home as typists, telephone operators, bus conductors, and more. Women who aspired to be independent were known as "Modern Girls" (Moga), who enjoyed the latest fashion of the time: short hair (bobs) and short skirts.
【Trivia】
If there were "Modern Girls," there were also "Modern Boys." Shortened to "Mobo," they walked the streets wearing Lloyd glasses and baggy trousers. Maybe they were the "influencers" of their day!
3. The Birth of Mass Media: Everyone Enjoying the Same Things
The backbone of massification was "mass media," which dramatically increased the speed at which information spread.
● Start of Radio Broadcasting (1925)
In 1925, radio broadcasting began in Japan. News that used to require reading a newspaper now came to your ears in real-time. This was a massive shock to the people of the time!
● General Interest Magazines and "Enpon"
Magazines like King sold over a million copies, and low-priced complete collections called "Enpon" (priced at just 1 yen, which was very cheap back then) appeared. This made reading a common hobby for the general public.
● Movies and Records
Silent films gained massive popularity, and the katsudō benshi (narrators) became stars. Additionally, the spread of record players led to the birth of "hit songs."
【Memory Tip】
1925 is a super important year! Remember it with the Japanese mnemonic: "Ichi-ban (1) ni (9) ni (2) ko (5) niko, rajio ga hajimaru" (Everyone is all smiles as the radio begins). This year had several major events, so we’ll keep an eye on them later.
4. Political Participation: Universal Suffrage and Social Movements
When culture changes, politics follows. It’s only natural that ordinary people started thinking, "We want our voices represented in government!"
● Universal Manhood Suffrage Act (1925)
Finally, voting rights were granted to all men aged 25 and older, regardless of how much tax they paid. The unfairness of "only the wealthy can vote" was eliminated (though, at this stage, it was still limited to men).
● Peace Preservation Law (1925)
In fact, a law was passed in the same year as the suffrage act that served as its counterpart. This was a strict law designed to crack down on ideologies deemed unfavorable to the government (such as socialism). It is often described as the government using "the carrot (suffrage) and the stick (suppression)."
【Common Mistake】
It’s easy to mistakenly think that the Universal Manhood Suffrage Act allowed women to vote, but women didn't gain the right to participate in elections until after WWII (1945 onwards). Make sure to remember that at this point, it was "men only"!
【Summary: Key Takeaways from this section】
・"Massification" means everyone became able to share the same culture and information.
・1925 is the triple-header year: "Start of Radio," "Universal Manhood Suffrage Act," and "Peace Preservation Law"!
・New urban lifestyles emerged, represented by "Salarymen" and "Modern Girls."
5. Heading Toward Difficult Times: Panic and Social Unrest
While a glamorous culture was blooming, harsh realities were also looming. This was the impact of the "Great Depression," which began in the United States in 1929.
Japan’s economy fell into chaos, and in some rural areas, poverty became so extreme that families were forced to sell their daughters. Amidst this social instability, people began to feel that "the current political system isn't working" and that "we need strong leadership," which gradually allowed the military to exert more influence.
(Understanding through a metaphor)
It’s like the feeling of a festival ending, followed by a sudden silence and a slightly ominous night. Try to grasp the gap between the excitement of mass culture and the atmosphere as the country drifted toward war.
A final note…
You don’t have to memorize everything about history all at once. Doesn't the text in your textbook feel a bit more familiar once you realize, "Oh, the roots of my daily life (watching YouTube, going to convenience stores) are actually in this era"?
Next time, we’ll look at how this massification connected to war and eventually our modern world. Great work today!