This paper clarifies the historical significance of the “Love of Nature” discourse in modern geography education in Japan from the Meiji to early Showa periods.
“Love of Nature” discourse in the Meiji period was equivalent to “Love of Country.” This discource was shaped by the educational objective of patriotism, the notion of which had been introduced to geography education in the early Meiji period. Their purpose was to cultivate student appreciation and the formation of national identity through an understanding of the imagery of Japan’s beautiful landscape, abundance of natural resources, and special history.
“Love of Country” discourse changed after WWI. That is to say, the value of “beauty and abundance” of Japan was criticized by the influence of internationalization and economic crisis after WWI. In response, discourse was redirected in two ways. First, it changed to suit internationalization, and second, with a corresponding emphasis within the discourse that focused on recognition and love of the uniqueness of Japan.
However, among geography education publications of the time, there was a separate “Love of Nature” discourse. This “Love of Nature” discourse sought to explain geography as a relationship between individuals and nature, as well as behavior that opposed the conquest of nature. However, while this discourse persistently engaged debate over methodological standards, it failed to reach the level of shaping the golas of geography education, unlike the “Love of Country” discourse. For this reason, within the history of “Love of Nature” discourse in the Meiji and early Showa periods, “Love of Country” discourse fulfilled the function of recognizing and securing national identity.