Research Catalog

Manchu princess, Japanese spy : the story of Kawashima Yoshiko, the cross-dressing spy who commanded her own army

Title
Manchu princess, Japanese spy : the story of Kawashima Yoshiko, the cross-dressing spy who commanded her own army / Phyllis Birnbaum.
Author
Birnbaum, Phyllis
Publication
New York : Columbia University Press, [2015]

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TextUse in library JFE 15-2919Schwarzman Building - Main Reading Room 315

Details

Description
x, 252 pages : illustrations, portraits; 24 cm.
Summary
"Kawashima Yoshiko (1906-1948) was an enigmatic Manchu princess whose life mirrored in many ways Japanese-Chinese relations in the first half of the 20th century. She was born into the Qing dynasty in China--the fourteenth daughter Prince Su--but grew up in Japan, after being given up for adoption to promote her father's political causes. Her fame was caught up with the fate of the puppet state set up by the Japanese in Manchuria during the 1930s (Manchukuo). She was a supporter of Manchukuo and served as a spy for the Japanese but also worked to restore the Manchu dynasty. She played a central role in the Shanghai Incident, which the Japanese Army used as an excuse to expand their war in and against China, culminating in the notorious Nanjing Massacre, but she also stuffed the empress into the trunk of her car and transported her in secret to a coronation in Manchuria. The Japanese set her up as the perfect symbol of amity between the two nations. She contested gender roles by wearing male military attire and a short, mannish haircut. In this book, Birnbaum tells Yoshiko's life story, culminating with her execution in 1948 by Chiang Kai-shek. She highlights the way in which Yoshiko's Chinese birth and Japanese upbringing created a unique personality, and how she was viewed differently in the two countries"--Provided by publisher.
Series Statement
Asia perspectives : history, society, and culture
Uniform Title
Asia perspectives.
Subjects
Bibliography (note)
  • Includes bibliographical references and index.
Contents
Main characters -- Chronology -- A note on the text -- Born to chaos -- Little sister -- Royalty in exile -- Continental adventurer -- A new life in Japan -- Manchu prince, Japanese wife -- School days -- The beauty in men's clothing -- Extreme measures -- Repercussions -- On her own -- Poisonous devil's brew -- Advance into Manchuria -- An emperor in flux -- The reluctant empress -- Powerful connections -- Woman of influence -- A growing awareness -- Commander Jin -- Starting over in Manchukuo -- In the bright light -- Wild child -- A daughter looks back -- China nights -- Emergency help -- An old love -- Adrift in Fukuoka -- Hopeful to the end -- Narrow escapes -- Postwar justice -- Go with a smile.
Call Number
JFE 15-2919
ISBN
  • 9780231152181
  • 0231152183
LCCN
2014021788
OCLC
894032768
Author
Birnbaum, Phyllis, author.
Title
Manchu princess, Japanese spy : the story of Kawashima Yoshiko, the cross-dressing spy who commanded her own army / Phyllis Birnbaum.
Publisher
New York : Columbia University Press, [2015]
Type of Content
text
Type of Medium
unmediated
Type of Carrier
volume
Series
Asia perspectives : history, society, and culture
Asia perspectives.
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references and index.
Research Call Number
JFE 15-2919
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