Preserving Cultural Identity through Literature Education: A Study of Traditional Values and Modern Pedagogical Practices among Japanese University Students
Keywords:
cultural identity, literature education, Japanese higher education, traditional values, pedagogical practicesAbstract
This qualitative study examines how literature education in Japanese universities functions as a vehicle for transmitting traditional cultural values while navigating the demands of contemporary global pedagogical practices. Drawing on ethnographic classroom observations, document analysis, and in-depth interviews with 24 university students and 8 literature educators across four Japanese universities, the study explores tensions between cultural preservation imperatives and internationalization pressures. Findings indicate that canonical Japanese literary texts serve not only as aesthetic objects but as repositories of ethical and cultural values including amae, mono no aware, and wa, which educators strategically deploy through dialogic pedagogical approaches. However, globalization discourses create significant pedagogical dilemmas regarding the relevance and transmission of traditional literary knowledge. The study proposes an integrative framework for culturally responsive literature pedagogy that honors traditional values while engaging critically with contemporary educational contexts.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Keiko Yamamoto, Hiroshi Tanaka (Author)
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