On October 29, at the invitation of SFLL, Professor Wang Shengyuan, tenured professor and doctoral supervisor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU), delivered an academic lecture titled “The Unreached Japan: An Alternative Biography of The Chrysanthemum and the Sword” at Qinling Building, Yuzhong Campus, as part of the academic events to celebrate the 80th anniversary of SFLL. The lecture was chaired by Associate Professor Fan Yaqiu, Deputy Director of the Japanese Department. Faculty and students attended the lecture.

Wang analyzed Ruth Benedict’s classic The Chrysanthemum and the Sword from the perspective of intellectual history. He revealed the complex relationship between the book’s historical background, the author’s research conditions, and academic cognition, guiding the audience to re-evaluate its academic value and explore its limitations in research methods and cultural cognition. He noted that area studies should focus on specific historical contexts and socio-cultural dynamics, avoiding static and essentialist views. Researchers should also strengthen the verification of primary sources and cross-reference different historical materials to enhance reliability. Additionally, Wang discussed reading classic literature, identifying academic questions, utilizing research materials, and developing academic judgments, emphasizing that academic research requires both solid linguistic and documentary foundations, as well as methodological awareness and independent thinking.

During the Q&A session, Professor Wang exchanged views with faculty and students on the research methods of The Chrysanthemum and the Sword, critical reading of classic works, and academic output in area studies.