-w THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29,1956 THE MICHIGAN DAILY PAGE THREE THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1956 THE MICHIGAN DAILY PAGE THREE YUZO YAMAMOTO: Author Describes Japanese Literature Cost of Living Index Reaches Record Height 1 i 1 By RICHARD HALLORAN Great works of Japanese litera- ture appear not in times of war and confusion but in times of peace and stability, according to Yuzo Yamamoto, prominent Jap- anese literary and political figure. Tracing the history of Japanese literature, Yamamoto clearly indi- cated that the written master- pieces of his homeland were pro- duced during periods when Japan lay in a state of national tran- quility. Yamamoto, the guest of the De- partment of Far Eastern Langu- ages and Literatures, has been travelling extensively with Ws wife, Hanako, in America since mid-October. This is their first trip to the United States. Having no especial purpose for coming to America other than to "see for himself" many of the things and people of which he * has read, the Japanese novelist will deliver several talks to stu- dents of Japanese literature here. Continues Description Continuing his description of Japanese writing. Yamamoto noted that no major works have been written in Japan since the end of the Second World War. Some good works have come out but nothing which should be intro- duced to the world. He considers "Season of the Hot Sun," recent winner of the Akutagawa prize, Japan's leading literary award, un- worthy as literature. Yamamoto was at one time a member of the Akutagawa selection committee. The articulate author hopes that with the coming of emotional stability to the Japanese people, literature will again reach its tra- ditional high quality. He blames post-war confusion to the current absence of valuable writing. Correlating literature with the total scope of Japanese history, Yamamoto was emphatic in point- ing out that foreigners, when con- sidering the history of Japan, should study more than just the modern period. The modern era in Japan has been one of imitation of the West in government, technology, and other cultural ingredients. As a by-product of this imitation, Japan has also acquired Western mili- taristic aggressiveness. With one exception in the 16th century, only since the coming of the West has Japan demonstrated expansionist tendencies, a point usually over- looked by foreigners, Yamamoto believes. Stresses Peace Stressing the peaceful aspects of 2000 years of Japanese history, the famous author outlined the necessity of looking at Japan's recent period in the context and perspective of the entire historical span. J Yamamoto, a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University, has been writing plays since his student days. The author of more than 20 plays and several influential novels, he is also noted for his translation from German of works by Strindberg and Schnitzler. In addition to writing, Yamamoto taught at Waseda University, and was head of the Literary Depart- ment of Meiji University from 1932 to 1937. Turning to politics after World War II, Yamamoto was a founder and leader of the Ryokufukai, an important political faction in post- war Japanese politics. Characterizes Party He characterizes the Ryokufu- kai not as a political party but as a political group treading a path down the middle of the road. In Japanese, Ryokufukai means Green Breeze, signifying the me- dian color in the political spec- trum varying from the red left to the purple right. Yamamoto picked this name himself. While the number of seats the Ryokufukai holds in the House of Councillors, upper chamber of the Diet, the Parliament of Japan, is <" NEW YORK (A) - The cost of living is up again with predictions! for more of the same.f Government figures also put the average take home pay of factory workers at a new high:-This is all to the good. But more than half of the na- tion's bread earners don't work in factories. For those whose in- comes haven't increased in line with the government's consumer price index the slow rise in the cost of goods and services is scarce- ly a cheerful prospect. When the government an- nounced its cost of living index had set another record, thenpay of somewhere close to two million workers went 'up automatically. Each year more labor wage con- tracts include this escalator de- vice. The latest rise in the cost of liv- ing index was credited in large part to the nudge given by the higher price tags on the new model cars. The rise in the index gave a million auto and farm equipment industry workers a two-cent an hour pay boost. High- er price tags on new cars sent the index up, and automatically boosted the cost of making cars and tractors. Much of the most recent rise in prices throughout industry has been credited to the hike in the price of steel that followed the wage boost at the end of last summer's strike. The latest rise in the cost of living index also all but assures that steel workers will get a three cents an hour pay boost automat- ically the first of the year. And even before this latest prospects many steel mill owners were in- sisting that still higher steel prices are needed. The rise in prices has been slow-it isn't a runaway affair. But it has been steady and is now centering on its built-in features. The family budget keeper has his say also, in all but the bare necessities of life. And dropping sales volume of the non-necessi- ties either brings a lowering of prices or a cut in production. ! Hillel 30th B'nai B'rith will celebratei on campus be Dr. Judah J director of th Will open the tion with an Quest for Jewi Years of Hill spective" durin vices at 8 p.m A socio-dram faculty memb by students a Hillel Players present a cha Oneg Shabbat ing there willk cussion with D for all students Luncheon o Foundation Marks Campus Anniversary Hillel Foundation" its 30th anniversary ucational and cultural reconstruc- ginning Friday. tion in Europe. Israel and the 3. Shapiro. nationalMoslem countries. He is Director e Hillel Foundational of Jewish Educational and Cul- three-day celebra- tural Reconstruction for the Con- thre-dy cee- ference on Material Claims address on "The jaantGray sh Integrity: Thirty against Germany. ish Inerity:hiPr Author and lecturer. Dr. Sha- el Service in Per- piro, who was formerly director .g the Sabbath Ser- of the Hillel Foundation at Cor- mra, cn tdb nell University, has organized ma, conducted by a Hillel services in the Boston area er vill be presented and has served in the Jewish Cen- t 1 p.m. Saturday. ter Movement. and Assembly will nukah play at the at 3 p.m. Follow- Miller To Discuss be an informal dis- r. Shapiro. A dance Campaign Roles s will begin at 8 p.m. n Sunday will be Prof. Warren E. Miller, of the followed by a dramatization of the political science department and BoOk of Job by the Hillel Players research associate of Survey Re- Assembly. The 'luncheon is spon- search Center, will speak in a sored by Hillel's executive com- graduate roundtable discussion at mittee, administrative council and 8 p.m. tonight in Rackham Assem- Assembly and may be attended by j bly Hall. reservation. Dr. Shapiro is presently work- ing on the program for Jewish ed- ANNOUNCEMENT BY I Illinois College of OPTOMETRY -Daily-Dave Arnold VISITING NOVELIST - Yuzo Yamamoto, left, noted Japanese author will deliver several lectures to students of Japanese lit- erature here. Accompanied by his wife, center, he has been trav- eling in the United Sates since mid-October. Their host while in Ann Arbor is Prof. Joseph K. Yamagiwa, right, chairman of the Department of Far Eastern Languages and Literature. HOUR SHIRT LAUNDRY SERVICE (On Request) p decreasing, the group continues to exert influence as a middle group often holding the balance of power between the two major political parties, the Liberal-Democrats and the Socialists. Yamamoto, a member of the House of Councillors from 1946 to 1953, says that this decline is due to lack of fundamental support in the electorate. Not being a true political party, the group has no program on which to stand for election. In issues before the Diet, the Ryokufukai cannot force mem- bers to vote a certain way; some favor one side while others take the opposing view. Reflects Nature The Ryokufukai thus reflects the supposedly non-partisan, non- political nature of the upper house of the national Diet. The faction is most effective in reaching com- promises between parties in get- ting essential legislation through the Diet. Scabbard, Blade Tap 29 Squires Know all ye citizens That all true knights Must through squireship Go by starlight Know all ye citizens That many squires Train by starlight To become Sires Know all ye citizens Your obligations For these men train To lead our nation Know all ye citizens By the Five Stars of SCABBARD AND BLADE Squries these men are: Thomas P. Anderle, '57, Thomas W. Bailey, '57E, Gary E. Boe, '57, Donald A. Briggs, '58E, John R. Caldwell, '57E, Michael I. Cohen, '58, Bruce Coleman, George Da- vidson, '57, Harry Evans, '57E, Ar- thur Friedman, '57BAd, John Friess, '57BAd, William Hausman, David R. Hedrich, '58NR, Jerome L. Hollingsworth, '57BAd, Robert W. Leuthauser, '57, Lloyd W. Ma- son Jr., '57, James S. Menees, '57BAd, Raymond G. McFadden, '58E, Arthur M. McGrath Jr., '58E, Duncan E. McVean, '58Ph, Wil- liam L. Powell, '58E, Thomas L. Raison, '57, Lewis S. Ramsdell, '58E, Richard J. Vangemert, '58E, Charles H. Rubin, '58E, Robert Stahl, '58, Samuel R. Ward, '58E, Edward C. Zeerit, '58BAd, Donald J. Wille, '57E. THE FIVE STARS HAVE SHOWN. r In foreign affairs, while many: Japanese intellectuals criticize both sides in the cold war. this does not mean that they are anti- American, according to Yama- moto. "Neither does it mean that' the Japanese government is an organ of the American govern- ment," he went on. Yamamoto was pointed in his criticism of some of the actions of the American Army in Japan. While many exemplary incidents have occurred, there are also many others which create friction be-' tween American and Japanese. BASKETBAL HARLEM GLOBE TROTTERS vs. WASHINGTON GENERALS also 8 ACTS OF ATHLETIC VAUDEVILLE at Eastern Michigan College Bowen Field House, Ypsilanti, Michigan Friday, November 30-8:30 Tickets available at Moe's Sport Shop Applications for admission to classes beginnin Yebru 1957 and September 9, 1957 are now being received. Three year course ofdprofessional study Leading to the Degree of Doctor of Optometry Requirements for Entrance: Two years (60 semester hours or equivalent quarter hrs.) in spe-. cified liberal arts and sciences. WRITE FOR BULLETIN TO: REGISTRAR ILLINOIS COLLEGE of OPTOMETRY 3241 So. Michigan Ave. Technology Center, Chicago 16, I11. I i :.i vvl4c wo via V-*CMV9XVm5z vlmvS6&ntmlm"v_*a vtm V±59 vt5c via t - 1"av"Mvioc v_*a V-05C Ina VA" VtA Ito s r r n n~zx;r r a n n n nr~u~~ec .x.c Consult for your ChristmasII Gift Ideas ! HOUR DRYM- (On Request) 2 STORES 1213 S. University 516 E. Liberty St. Phone NO 2-3231 Day or Night Organization I 'Notices 1 1. '1 Buro Cats, Mass Meeting, 4:15 p.m., League. Hillel, Beginner Hebrew Class, 7 p.m., Hillel. * . -. Westminster Student Fellowship, Bi- ble Class, 4:15 p.m., League.' Modern Dance Club, Meeting, 7:301 p.m., Barbour Gym. Lutheran Students Association, Ves- per Services, 9:30 p.m., Chapel. Christian Science Organization Meet- ing, 7:30 p.m., Upper Room, Lane Hall. Baha'i Student Group, Discussion, 8 p.m., Fireside Room, Lane Hall. Fountain Pens School Supplies Chairs HI I1 Typewriters Electric Standard Portable Desks -- Files Comptometer Dictation Machines MORRI LL'S. 314 S. State St. Since 1908 Phone NO 3-2481 II I I Remember: Classes do not end until I Saturday Dec. 22nd Iy See the Show that Everybody will be Talking About ... -r -mo - - W -"4 -f-f.., -o&- 11 . I I