Beyond Pacifism: Determining the Legacy of Uchimura Kanzō

Uchimura Kanzo was born into a samurai family in 1861. He grew to adulthood during the Meiji Restoration, a season of monumental changes within Japan. His life reflected significant transformations: from samurai’s son to Christian, from idealistic supporter to fierce critic of America, from a believer in Japan’s self-described mission to China to a pacifist. His life as a respected teacher, prolific writer, and social critic is a vivid portrayal of the conflicts encountered by Japanese intellectuals wrestling with the major issues of their day, placing Uchimura among a cadre of gifted intellectuals who wrote of their reactions to the changes affecting their nation. As a member of this cohort, Uchimura has garnered much attention from scholars and social critics. Their interpretations vary widely. Some consider him irrelevant; others consider him a prophet for post-war Japan. This disparity drives the question, “What, exactly, is Uchimura’s legacy to Japan?” It is the purpose of this work to discover Uchimura’s intellectual heritage to modern Japan, seeking to ascertain his effect upon other Japanese, and the degree to which a mantle of Uchimura can be identified.