Conceptual novel - Kannen Shosetsu

A novel in which the author clearly expresses ideas inspired by the society and social conditions of the time. However, in the history of modern Japanese literature, it mainly refers to a group of novels that became popular around 1895 (Meiji 28) after the Sino-Japanese War. In other words, it refers to works such as Izumi Kyoka's "Night Patrolman" and "Operating Room" from 1895, Kawakami Bizan's "The Secretary" and "The Front and Back" from 1895, and Kyoka's "Kaijou Hatsuden" and "Bakeichou" from the following year. These were mainly works by authors who focused on the reality of Meiji capitalist society, whose contradictions were beginning to become apparent at the time, and who intended to point out the problems and appeal strongly to readers. Along with serious novels, it can be said that they aimed to deepen realism. However, because they were too focused on ideas, it was undeniable that they gave off an empty impression, and they eventually declined.

[Yasushi Oka]

"Ideological Novels and Their Surroundings" by Yasuo Oka (included in "The Life and Literature of Koyo Ozaki"; 1968, Meiji Shoin)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

作家が時代社会、世相などから触発された観念をその作品中で明白に打ち出している小説。ただし、日本近代文学史上では、おもに日清(にっしん)戦争後の1895年（明治28）ごろ流行した一群の小説をさす。すなわち、1895年の泉鏡花(きょうか)『夜行巡査』『外科室(げかしつ)』、川上眉山(びざん)『書記官』『うらおもて』や、翌96年の鏡花『海城(かいじょう)発電』『化銀杏(ばけいちょう)』などの作品に対する呼称である。これらは主として、当時矛盾を露呈し始めた明治資本主義社会の現実に着目した作家がその問題点を指摘し、読者に強く訴えようと意図したものであった。深刻小説とともに写実主義の深化を目ざしたともいえる。ただ、あまりにも観念が先行したために、空疎な印象は否めず、やがて衰退した。

［岡　保生］

『岡保生著『観念小説とその周辺』（『尾崎紅葉の生涯と文学』所収・1968・明治書院）』

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