Shinkigen
Encyclopedia
was a socialist monthly magazine, published in Japan
between November 1905 and November 1906. Shinkigen emerged after the October 1905 split in the Heiminsha. The first issue was published on November 10, 1905. Shinkigen was the organ of the reformist socialist group, dominated by Christian social democrats. Shinkigen was edited by personalities such as Abe Isō
, Katayama Sen, Ishikawa Sanshiro and Naoe Kinoshita
. Shinkigen argued in favour of universal suffrage
and social reform (through parliamentary means). The first issue of the magazine included an article by Uchimura Kanzō
, which stated "Though I am not a socialist, I cannot refrain from the greatest sympathy for this gentemanly work."
Shinkigen was characterized by a humanistic
worldview. Its conception of socialism was spirtualistic and highly individualistic. The magazine frequently featured (Christian) religious motifs, with imagery such having an angel or a shining cross depicted on the cover page or with article titles such as 'The Revolutionary Thought of Mother Mary'. The magazine did however also feature criticisms of Christianity.
In February 1906 Shinkigen and the other faction that emerged out of Heiminsha, the materialists, founded a political party together, the Japan Socialist Party.
Like other leftwing and liberal media, Shinkigen was targeted by government repression. All in all, thirteen issues of Shinkigen were published. The Japan Socialist Party survived until February 1907, when it was banned by police following its first party congress.
In 1961, a volume containing the editions of Shinkigen were reprinted by Meiji Bunken Shiryo Kankokai.
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
between November 1905 and November 1906. Shinkigen emerged after the October 1905 split in the Heiminsha. The first issue was published on November 10, 1905. Shinkigen was the organ of the reformist socialist group, dominated by Christian social democrats. Shinkigen was edited by personalities such as Abe Isō
Abe Iso
was a well known Japanese Christian socialist, parliamentarian and pacifist.Abe was born in Fukuoka, and studied at Doshisha University and abroad, including at the University of Berlin, before becoming a Unitarian preacher. He taught at the Waseda University from 1899...
, Katayama Sen, Ishikawa Sanshiro and Naoe Kinoshita
Naoe Kinoshita
was a Japanese Christian socialist activist and author.-See also:*Shinkigen...
. Shinkigen argued in favour of universal suffrage
Universal suffrage
Universal suffrage consists of the extension of the right to vote to adult citizens as a whole, though it may also mean extending said right to minors and non-citizens...
and social reform (through parliamentary means). The first issue of the magazine included an article by Uchimura Kanzō
Uchimura Kanzo
was a Japanese author, Christian evangelist, and the founder of the Nonchurch Movement of Christianity in the Meiji and Taishō period Japan.-Early life:...
, which stated "Though I am not a socialist, I cannot refrain from the greatest sympathy for this gentemanly work."
Shinkigen was characterized by a humanistic
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
worldview. Its conception of socialism was spirtualistic and highly individualistic. The magazine frequently featured (Christian) religious motifs, with imagery such having an angel or a shining cross depicted on the cover page or with article titles such as 'The Revolutionary Thought of Mother Mary'. The magazine did however also feature criticisms of Christianity.
In February 1906 Shinkigen and the other faction that emerged out of Heiminsha, the materialists, founded a political party together, the Japan Socialist Party.
Like other leftwing and liberal media, Shinkigen was targeted by government repression. All in all, thirteen issues of Shinkigen were published. The Japan Socialist Party survived until February 1907, when it was banned by police following its first party congress.
In 1961, a volume containing the editions of Shinkigen were reprinted by Meiji Bunken Shiryo Kankokai.