英文摘要 |
This paper is aimed at investigating how Japanese women, who have undergone a transformation of consciousness from the “lessons for women” in warrior families in the early modern period to “women of virtue” as “female citizens” in modern times, were conceptualized as “women of virtue” by scholars and politicians advocating Bushido. Women were also forced to adhere to the tenets of loyalty and patriotism espoused by the code of Bushido in order to fulfill the goal of having every man and woman swear loyalty and devotion to the nation. Chapter II explores various ways “women of virtue” were raised and educated in the early modern period in Japan. Chapter III investigates how “women of virtue” were viewed and conceptualized after the Meiji Restoration. Chapter IV analyzes images and characteristics of “female samurai” and “women of virtue” in Japanese plays and novels. This paper intends to show how intellectuals coped with national interests to transform and manipulate the image of “women of virtue.” Based on these findings, the modern meaning of the transformation of the status of women in Japan is explored. |