Donald, Richie. "The Occupied Arts." The Confusion Era: Art and Culture of Japan during the Occupation 1945-1952. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1997 p11-21

(Course packet)

Donald Richie's essay, one of many in a Japanese Postwar Culture anthology, aims to analyze the effects of American occupation on Japanese culture, specifically the visual arts, literature, and modern drama. The essay is for a general audience; one does not need to have any background in Japanese postwar history. Although the Supreme Commander of the Allied Powers (SCAP) only intended to oversee Japanese military and politics, its impact on the arts was profound as well. Ironically, to promote democracy and eliminate feudalism, the Civil Information and education Section (CIE) censored Japanese media and art. Artists, forbidden to study traditional Japanese technique began to explore those found internationally. Regarding literature the CIE would encourage works promoting American ideals and censor those which did not. Because the SCAP used the Japanese officials as puppets most censorship was carried out by the Japanese, and the SCAP avoided criticism. Modern drama was censored only to the point of assuring that communism was purged from all performances. However, Kabuki was highly censored due to SCAP ignorance of the art. Yet those familiar with Kabuki worked to free it from censorship, and during the Red Scare in the states it was. Feudalism was considered preferable to communism. Movies suffered similar censorship due to the feudal fear. However, as American concern shifted towards purging communism from the state, most artists were given more freedom than before under Japanese military control.

Richie's writing presents an open-minded standpoint of the postwar cultural transition resulting from American occupation. He is careful to include American hypocrisies and ironies, as well as Japanese reactions to reform. He even includes the impact of the Red Scare in America and how it impacted Occupation. However, the article is relatively general, incorporating few specific examples. Also, while great detail is given to American motives, there is little information on Japanese public opinion at that time.

Hamil Pearsall