If so, his philosophy is surprisingly transcendent (as in, not ultranationalist). Somehow he kept his politics separate from his philosophy.
Reading Rinrigaku, it’s hard to understand how the person who wrote it could be a jingoist in real life. Unlike Sein und Zeit, where it’s readily apparent that the author was an unapologetic fascist.
The places where Watsuji diverges from and critiques Heidegger are really quite eloquent and crucial. Most critically, he rejects the “carpenter in a toolshed” analogy for his own concept of “betweenness,” using roads as the primary metaphor instead of tools. It’s far less reductive and more socialized, which isn’t surprising for someone from a collectivist culture.
Not sure how that turns into him supporting militant imperial fascism, but then again he didn’t really have a choice. But it’s not like he worked in secret to oppose it like those in the Kyoto School did, and even they got accused of supporting it…
i was thinking of yukio mishima, who pie called “controversial” but recommended his book (tbf that was quite a few years ago) but it’s great to know there’s more
I haven’t read mishima’s work personally but I know enough about him to say that ultranationalist is indeed an apt descriptor for him. He was a fascist. He wanted a fascist revival and attempted a coup to achieve it. He died by seppuku when it failed. There’s even a movie about it. He kinda had a cult following too.
Which one? Watsuji?
If so, his philosophy is surprisingly transcendent (as in, not ultranationalist). Somehow he kept his politics separate from his philosophy.
Reading Rinrigaku, it’s hard to understand how the person who wrote it could be a jingoist in real life. Unlike Sein und Zeit, where it’s readily apparent that the author was an unapologetic fascist.
The places where Watsuji diverges from and critiques Heidegger are really quite eloquent and crucial. Most critically, he rejects the “carpenter in a toolshed” analogy for his own concept of “betweenness,” using roads as the primary metaphor instead of tools. It’s far less reductive and more socialized, which isn’t surprising for someone from a collectivist culture.
Not sure how that turns into him supporting militant imperial fascism, but then again he didn’t really have a choice. But it’s not like he worked in secret to oppose it like those in the Kyoto School did, and even they got accused of supporting it…
i was thinking of yukio mishima, who pie called “controversial” but recommended his book (tbf that was quite a few years ago) but it’s great to know there’s more
I haven’t read mishima’s work personally but I know enough about him to say that ultranationalist is indeed an apt descriptor for him. He was a fascist. He wanted a fascist revival and attempted a coup to achieve it. He died by seppuku when it failed. There’s even a movie about it. He kinda had a cult following too.