自然主義

• Reading: しぜんしゅぎ
• Romaji: shizenshugi
• Kanji breakdown: 自 (ji) — self; 然 (zen) — nature, as it is; 主 (shu) — main, principal; 義 (gi) — principle, doctrine
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.zen.ɕɯ.ɡi/

Meaning

Naturalism. A literary and artistic movement that portrays human life and society with unvarnished realism, depicting instincts, social conditions, and environment without idealisation.

A noun for the literary movement imported from France (Zola's naturalism) that profoundly influenced Meiji Japanese fiction. Japanese 自然主義 writers such as Shimazaki Toson and Tayama Katai focused on unflinching depiction of the self (私小説, the I-novel) and social realities. Unlike Romantic idealism, 自然主義 demanded objective, often harsh, observation of human nature and social environment.

Examples

1. 明治末期の日本文学において、自然主義は大きな文学潮流として急速に台頭した。 In late Meiji-era Japanese literature, naturalism rapidly emerged as a major literary current.
2. 島崎藤村の破戒は、日本自然主義文学の到達点を示す代表作として名高い。 Shimazaki Toson's 'The Broken Commandment' is renowned as a masterpiece representing the pinnacle of Japanese naturalist literature.
3. 自然主義の作家たちは、人間の本能や社会の矛盾を赤裸々に描き出そうとした。 Naturalist writers sought to portray human instincts and social contradictions with unflinching candor.

Usage Guide

Context: literary history, criticism, academia, Meiji literature

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 自然 (shizen, nature/natural) and 主義 (shugi, principle/doctrine/-ism). A calque of the French naturalisme and German Naturalismus, introduced to Japan during the Meiji era as part of the broader reception of European literary theory.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Taisho

Generation: Adults

Social background: Academic