TOKYO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Course description and aims

In this class, under the theme of "Michiko Ishimure's life and works," participants will become familiar with Michiko Ishimure's writings, centering on her major work, "Kukaijodo," and think about Michiko's life.
Michiko, who had a deep loneliness by nature and had difficulty living, such as repeatedly attempting suicide, finds a way to "write." She was able to move forward by writing the loneliness of Minamata disease patients commensurate with her loneliness. Meanwhile, Michiko leads the Minamata disease Struggle with her ally, Kyoji Watanabe. The Struggle called "pre-modern opposition to modern times" (Watanabe) goes beyond the relief of patients and puts an end to the trend of a society that prioritizes profits and efficiency. In the class, we would like to follow the path of Michiko Ishimure, who sublimated the tragedy of Minamata disease into a soul problem and think about what Minamata disease is asking modern people. In the class, the students will deepen their understanding of Ishimure’s life and work by submitting reports and having dialogues actively mentioning works other than "Kukaijodo" such as the autobiographical feature-length novel "Tsubaki no Umi no Ki" and "Spring Castle" depicting the Shimabara / Amakusa Rebellion.

Student learning outcomes

Develop the ability to grasp literary works and the authors behind them from various angles.
Grasp the path to linguistic expression based on your own experience and emotions.

Keywords

Michiko Ishimure, pollution, Minamata disease, Minamata disease struggle, Kyoji Watanabe

Competencies that will be developed

Class flow

Although it is mainly lectures, I would like to avoid one-way classes.
Expect questions and provocations from students. From time to time, I hear "what do you say?", So please be frank about what you don't understand or want to know more. Part of the work may be specified in advance and participants may be asked to express their impressions of that part.

Course schedule/Required learning

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

Michiko Ishimure "Kukaijodo My Minamata Disease" (Kodansha Bunko)
* Please purchase in advance. The latest version is preferred, but older versions are acceptable.
If you cannot purchase it, please email us. I will send the book I have to the designated place.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

Eisuke Wakamatsu "100 Minutes de Meicho, Michiko Ishimure, Kukaijyodo" (NHK Publishing)
Takeshi Takamine "Do you know Minamata disease?" (Iwanami booklet)
Koji Yonemoto "Critical biography, Michiko Ishimu, a person standing on the beach" (Shincho Bunko)
* You do not need to purchase them, but they may be mentioned during the lecture.

Assessment criteria and methods

Mainly two reports, but it will be made by a comprehensive judgment referring to the number of times you participated in the class.

Related courses

• LAH.H114 ： Human Studies A
• LAH.H315 ： Human Studies C

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

None

Contact information (e-mail and phone)    Notice : Please replace from "[at]" to "@"(half-width character).

rsy09436[at]nifty.com

Office hours

Contact by e-mail in advance to schedule an appointment.

Other

I accept questions by email at any time. I will answer as much as I can.
With the consent of the questioner, I may introduce the question during the lecture.