English Language Representations of Japanese Culture

This thesis comes in two parts: a multi-media creative project and an exegesis. The first demonstrates the potential of using cultural representations as a means of exploring my fragmented selves. In this component I employ short fictions, images and sound in a way that engages a sense of alien existence, where the Other affords journeys of self-exploration. Secondly, this written exegesis examines interdisciplinary academic and popular representations of Japanese culture to reflect upon what journeys of self-discovery they might permit their creators. I review certain popular and academic representations of Japanese culture to investigate whether such considerations are in effect. That is; whether the writers in question recognise their own representations of themselves within their work. While our creative projects, academic representations and popular political illustrations provide numerous journeys and outlets, they come with the threat of exploiting our subjects. A commitment to performance and self- parody proves important here as it demonstrates our own fictive selves and our constructed sense of individualism.