The Folk and the Sociology of Takata Yasuma: —His Life and Thoughts—

Abstract

Abstract Takata Yasuma, hailed as the father of sociology in Japan and recipient of the prestigious Cultural Meritorious Award in 1964, was also admired by western sociologists for his originality. In this article I discuss The Folk in 1941 with his discussions on ethnic problems around the year 1940 in connection with his inner life and thoughts.First, I point out Takata makes much of the subjective aspect of the folk, or folk‐consciousness, and distinguishes it by this ethnic ego from similar but enforced groups such as nation‐state. Then I analyze his folk theory in connection with class, the modern state, nationalism, capitalism and imperialism, and conclude that Takata conflates nationalism quite easily and directly with imperialism without defining narrow‐minded nationalism clearly though he rejects Lenin's view of imperialism as the consequence of the development of capitalism.Secondly I consider the interrelationship of the folk with the slowly but enlarging world society, and make clear that Takata appreciates the socialization of interest (Vergesellschaftung) in the progress of society, though in his heart he has pursued Gemeinschaft 9s the child of a village in spirit. Finally, I emphasize that folk theory thoroughly reflects his inner life and thoughts: the perfect leveler, a free‐spoken person, a village child in spirit, and a scholar of originality