The Never Fixed Chinese Characteristics: The Agential Cut of American, Japanese and Chinese Scholars

Zheng, Yi

Abstract

Arthur Smith’s Chinese Characteristics (1890) elicited varied responses in the US, China, and Japan. However, scholars often overlook Shibue Tamotsu’s Japanese translation. This paper addresses why Tamotsu’s work has been neglected and examines how Smith’s book has been interpreted in these three countries. Using Karen Barad’s theory, it argues that Chinese Characteristics and its interpretation represent an entangled canvas of experiences and relations, offering a complex view of East-West and intra-East Asian dynamics. The paper advocates for cross-temporal and spatial dialogue by analysing the unique interpretations shaped by different agents.

Citation

Zheng, Y. (2025). The Never Fixed Chinese Characteristics: The Agential Cut of American, Japanese and Chinese Scholars. SOAS journal of postgraduate research, 16, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.25501/SOAS.00043304

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jan 23, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 23, 2025
• Journal: The SOAS Journal of Postgraduate Research
• Print ISSN: 2631-3812
• Electronic ISSN: 2517-6226
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 16
• Pages: 1-18
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.25501/SOAS.00043304
• Keywords: Chinese Characteristics, Arthur Smith, Shibue Tamotsu, Lu Xun, Agential Cut
• Publisher URL: https://www.soas.ac.uk/research/soas-journals-and-books/soas-journal-postgraduate-research