Music and the Making of Modern Japan

Margaret Mehl's "Music and the Making of Modern Japan" explores the profound influence of Western classical music on Japanese nation-building during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

The book meticulously examines how the adoption and adaptation of Western musical forms and practices shaped Japanese cultural identity and national consciousness.

Mehl's analysis delves into the complexities of cultural exchange, highlighting both the imposition of Western musical norms and the creative responses from Japanese musicians and society.

The study reveals how music became a powerful tool for forging national unity and expressing a sense of belonging within a globalized world.

Ultimately, the book offers a nuanced understanding of the dynamic interplay between global and local forces in shaping musical culture.