We are delighted to present Volume 2, Issue 1 of Taiyō, which showcases a vibrant and diverse collection of scholarly works in the field of Japanese Studies. This is yet again a special moment for us that holds deep emotional significance, as Taiyō is still in its early stages, and each contribution represents a gesture of trust in our vision.  This issue reflects our continuing commitment to interdisciplinary inquiry and multilingual exchange, with contributions in English, Japanese, and Hindi.

The issue opens with a nuanced literary exploration of memory and trauma in disaster literature, through a close reading of Ishii Yuka’s ‘Hundred Years Mud.’ The next article, presented in Japanese, examines Rabindranath Tagore’s critical response to Japan’s colonial policy and Pan-Asian imperialism, highlighting his enduring humanist vision.

Our third contribution features a powerful Hindi translation and critical introduction of Yosano Akiko’s anti-war poem “Thou Shalt Not Die (1904),” drawing attention to its continued emotional and political relevance in contemporary discourse. This is followed by a compelling literary analysis of the struggles of single mothers in Japanese society, as portrayed in the works of Hayashi Fumiko.

Shifting to public policy, another article explores Japan’s education reforms in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, tracing the evolution of government-driven changes and their digital implications. The sixth article presents a cross-cultural linguistic comparison of death euphemisms in Japanese and Bengali newspaper obituaries, offering insights into how language and culture mediate grief and loss.

The next paper undertakes a semantic analysis of Japanese proverbs related to children, uncovering how these expressions encode social values and perceptions of childhood. We also feature a thoughtful book review of ‘Japan’s Carnival War: Mass Culture on the Home Front, 1937–1945’ by Benjamin Uchiyama, a study that vividly illustrates the intersections of wartime propaganda and popular culture in Japan.

We extend our deepest gratitude to our team of reviewers, whose thoughtful feedback, time, and scholarly rigor have been invaluable in shaping the quality of this issue. Their quiet but essential role behind the scenes reflects the collaborative spirit that sustains academic publishing.

Together, these contributions reflect the thematic breadth and scholarly vitality of contemporary Japanese Studies. We sincerely thank all the contributors for enriching this volume, and we hope that readers will find within these pages both intellectual stimulation and inspiration for further cross-cultural engagement and research.

 

 Taiyō Editorial Board