Stereotypes of Japanese women in the Meiji era in Tsuda Umeko: Osatsu ni Natta Ryuugakusei

Sofiana Dwi Nur Laili, Fajria Noviana — Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to identify the stereotypes of Japanese women in the Meiji era as represented in the film Tsuda Umeko: Osatsu ni Natta Ryuugakusei. The movie tells the story of Umeko’s struggle against patriarchal culture and fighting for women’s rights in Japan. This research uses a qualitative method with Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach. The object of study is the movie Tsuda Umeko: Osatsu ni Natta Ryuugakusei, with data collection conducted through listening and note-taking techniques. The analysis is based on three main concepts in Barthes’ semiotics: denotation, connotation, and myth. Through the analysis, three strong stereotypes of Japanese women in the Meiji era were found, namely: 1) women are subordinate; 2) women are dependent on men; and 3) women are given limited access to education. From these three constructions of women’s stereotypes, it can be concluded that this movie reflects the patriarchy that was deeply rooted in the Meiji era. Therefore, it is necessary to change the mindset of society so that women are no longer positioned as subordinate parties but are given the space to develop and be equal to men, both in the domestic and public spheres.

Exploring the correlation between collocational mastery and Japanese language proficiency levels

Dian Bayu Firmansyah, Haryono Haryono; Bagus Reza Hariyadi — Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mastering collocation is a crucial aspect of second language acquisition at the B2 level, particularly in Japanese. Understanding collocation allows learners to comprehend common word combinations used in everyday conversation. This study aims to explore the understanding of collocation among Japanese language learners and to identify errors in their sentence construction. Using a mixed-method approach, the research includes collocation knowledge tests, questionnaires, and interviews to collect data from Japanese language learners in Indonesia. The findings indicate that many learners struggle with proper collocation usage, largely due to the influence of their native language and a limited understanding of suitable word combinations in Japanese. However, with effective teaching methods and consistent practice, learners can improve their grasp of collocation, which will lead to more effective and natural communication in Japanese. This study concludes that a strong command of collocation significantly enhances Japanese language proficiency, particularly in terms of fluency and contextual understanding. The research intends to contribute to the development of collaborative learning strategies in Japanese, especially for non-native speakers, to facilitate daily communication in the language.

Japanese Research on Linguistics, Literature, and Culture

Stereotypes of Japanese women in the Meiji era in Tsuda Umeko: Osatsu ni Natta Ryuugakusei

Exploring the correlation between collocational mastery and Japanese language proficiency levels