Pan-Asianist Solidarity: Visual Propaganda of Manchukuo, 1932-1945

Manchukuo (1932–1945) is usually understood as a “puppet state” of the Japanese Empire, where the Japanese Kwantung Army established a brutal dictatorship, exploited the local population, and plundered mineral resources. Because the Japanese-controlled government of Manchukuo drew inspiration from Italy and Germany, the state is often characterized as fascist, and its visual propaganda is sometimes interpreted through the lens of fascist aesthetics. At the same time, however, Manchukuo presented itself as grounded in lofty ideals derived from Asianism, the idea of solidarity among Asian nations and ethnic groups in resistance to Western colonial powers. It portrayed itself not only as a pioneering model of a strong and self-sufficient state in which Asians could govern themselves without Western intervention, but also as an experimental space in which Asian ethnic groups could overcome their differences and coexist in egalitarian harmony. This exhibition introduces the main themes and visual elements of propaganda, primarily from early Manchukuo, with particular attention to the representation of Asianist ideals.

The exhibition is part of Dr. Martin Blahota’s long-term research on Asianism and Buddhism as important dimensions of East Asian modernity. Although Asianism has attracted growing scholarly attention in both East Asia and the West in recent years, Asianist propaganda posters from Manchukuo have not yet been presented in an exhibition outside Japan. In addition to its educational purpose, this exhibition seeks to bring attention to cultural materials that have so far remained largely overlooked and to encourage further research.

The exhibition was supported by the MSCA Fellowships CZ project Nomadic Spirituality: Unstable Buddhist Identities in East Asian Borderlands, implemented by the project partner, the Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences.

We are grateful to the Yūsei Museum in Tottori, Japan, for kindly providing the visual materials for this exhibition.

Curators

Dr. Martin Blahota
Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences / Institute of Japanese Studies, Heidelberg University

Hanno Lecher
Head, CATS Library, Centre for Asian and Transcultural Studies, Heidelberg University