| NOTA |
(★)(1.The extent of the discrimination still practised against Japan´s historic ´unclean´ underclass --the Buraku-- is one of the most sensitive issues facing the Japanese government and the social coherence of contemporary Japan. It is not surprising, therefore, that there is a paucity of material in Japanese but, more remarkably, English which this book --a translation of Suehiro Kitaguchi´s landmark study-- aims to redress. Originating as a question and answer field research report into the status of Buraku people today, the book unwraps much of what is considered a taboo topic in Japan, including a detailed examination of the nature of Japanese anti-Buraku prejudice, Buraku ancestry, the special areas where the Buraku live, the limitations on employment, marriage and social interaction, and the quality of the implementation of Japan´s anti-Buraku discriminatory laws. Because the original fieldwork was undertaken in the 1980s, this book provides a valuable resource for comparative research into the nature of Buraku discrimination over a period of fifteen years, the translator Alastair McLauchlan providing a detailed update in his wide-ranging introductory chapter. 2.´Buraku´ is more than just a word, for within its parameters lies a tightly interwoven tapestry of such diverse fields as ancestry, liberation activities, solution strategies, Dowa Initiatives and incidents of discrimination... ´For many people, the starting point for addressing the Buraku problem lies in their own uncertainty regarding the whole issue, a scenario which includes those who, especially in recent years, have preserved and even fostered a ´discrimination awareness´ over anti-Buraku prejudice by walking away from their own nagging doubts about Dowa Initiative projects and the spurious tactics of sham Dowa groups. According to a strongly-worded report by the Dowa Initiatives Commission, the long-standing, but ill-conceived, notion of ´let sleeping dogs lie´ and of Buraku separatism remain firmly entrenched in the minds of many people. [Suehiro Kitaguchi, from the Foreword]´ 3.Born and raised in Christchurch [NZ], Alastair McLauchlan´s interest in foreign languages began with French, Latin and Japanese in his first year at secondary school [St Andrew´s College]. His early interest in Japan´s Burakumin reinforced his determination to complete two post-graduate degrees, and, most recently to embark on his PhD studies. He is currently Associate Head of the School of Foreign Languages, Christchurch Polytechnic, with particular responsibility for Japanese language studies.) |
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