The Many What-ifs of Literary Urbanism: A European Perspective

This chapter examines the state of modern Japanese literary studies in Europe through the reflections of Italian scholar Gala Maria Follaco. It highlights several innovative research directions that have emerged in recent years, particularly those focusing on modern urbanization and the literary representation of urban space, as well as the critical dialogues established between European scholars and their counterparts in Japan and North America. By discussing the topographical genres that help structure our understanding of the shifting dimensions of urban life, the chapter also emphasizes the importance of continuing research that valorizes non-canonical texts, authors, and contexts, while clarifying the central role of literary discourse in colonial spaces, urban experience, and migratory dynamics.