Lee Thompson

The London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics: editorial differences and similarities of approach in five Japanese newspapers.

This study analyses the coverage of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games on the front pages of the morning editions of five Japanese newspapers of diverse circulations and political and ideological orientations. It finds similarities among the newspapers in the amount and focus of coverage, and differences in their editorial positions on the Games and their use of Olympic materials in other political and ideological discourses.

Judo and the process of nation-building in japan: Kanō jigorō and the formation of kōdōkan judo

Although the founding of judo by Kanō Jigorō has been well studied, perhaps less is known about the sociohistorical background behind its formation. This paper considers how the system of judo was constructed in the context of the formation of the nation state in Japan. Each aspect of Kanōs judo was developed in response to specific conditions – in particular, the Ministry of Educations aversion to the martial arts. Kanō developed what he referred to as the ‘values’ of judo in the context of the ministrys adoption of gymnastic exercises for the physical education curriculum. Moreover, Kanō believed that continuity with older schools of jujutsu was important, although in order to legitimize judos patriotic credentials, he rejected the prevailing theory of jujutsus Chinese origins. At the same time, he also excluded ‘frivolous’ techniques and attempted to restore jujutsu to its ‘original’ noble essence as a practical form of combat. The diverse and flexible history of jujutsu came to be forgotten.

Assessing the sociology of sport: On Western hegemony and alternative discourses

On the 50th anniversary of the ISSA and IRSS, Lee Thompson, a key foundational scholar in the development of the sociology of sport in Japan, whose work has helped bridge understandings from the West, considers the distinctive character of socio-cultural inquiry about sport in Japan. In assessing the trajectory of the field in Japan, Thompson notes that Japan has not been one of the ‘social science powers’ and that its theoretical and methodological lenses were often reliant on strategies developed in the West. In addition, the influence of Japanese scholarship in the field has been stifled because of limited dissemination in outlets publishing in the English language. A key challenge is for the theoretical and geographic range of research published in Japanese scholarly outlets to be mirrored in the breadth of work published by Japanese scholars in English language outlets: with the increased demands of globalization and neo-liberal reforms, there are increased pressures to publish in international (English language) journals. In looking to the future, the dangers of ‘Western hegemony’ in publication standards and the tensions in giving standing to particularized Asia-centered alternative discourses are discussed.

The professional wrestler Rikidōzan as a site of memory

Rikidōzan was a former sumo wrestler who introduced American professional wrestling to the Japanese public in the 1950s. He has been called the “ethnic hero” of Japan. In his most famous performances Rikidōzan evoked the vivid memory of the recent war and Japans defeat and ensuing occupation. He gave the enactment a new twist, however, by defeating his foreign opponents. But memory is neither uncontested nor static. Even during Rikidōzans lifetime, the Asahi Newspaper discontinued coverage of his matches, and other groups opposed their broadcast because of their violent content. After his Korean origins were “revealed” in the 1980s, the memory of Rikidōzan has shifted. He has gone from being the ethnic hero of Japan, to an ethnically Korean hero, to an international figure who transcends nationality and ethnicity, and finally to an international figure whose ethnicity is once more unproblematic.

Re-evaluating the Beijing Olympic Fuwa mascots in the circuit of culture

This paper applies a modified circuit of culture perspective as a methodological and theoretical framework to re-evaluate the Beijing Olympic Fuwa mascots. It provides an account of the intended messages, interpretations and identifications associated with the production, representation and consumption of the Fuwa mascots. Through in-depth analyses of Fuwa at each stage, it reveals a broad contextual understanding of the legacy, tradition, complexities and uniqueness in a secluded circuit of culture within Chinese society. By reconstructing Fuwa in the circuit of culture, this paper further attempts to address the question of whether hosting the modern Olympics was able to bring change to China.

Seeing Stars: Sports Celebrity, Identity, and Body Culture in Modern Japan

interested readers, these carefully selected essays provide a vivid, multifaceted overview of Greek athletics. Scholars will certainly welcome the republication of these papers under one roof, especially those that were not easily accessible to many in their original publication. To be sure, for some certain chapters might appear period pieces while others might question the inclusion of certain scholarly controversial essays. Nonetheless, through his succinct but effective commentaries in the introductory segments the editor has managed to highlight the importance and relevance of these essays in past and ongoing scholarly debates. Overall, this is a well-rounded, informative and accessible volume that will be useful for everyone interested in ancient Greek sport.