The Christian Current in Japanese Socialism – “Shin Kigen” (New Era) and Bronisław Piłsudski

Isoo Abe, educated in Berlin and the USA, a Protestant preacher and lecturer at the university in Tokyo, and a member of the parliament in his later days, was an important activist of the Christian current of socialism. Abe was also one of the main promoters of feminism in Japan, and it was probably in this context that Piłsudski, interested in the women’s issue, spoke with Abe’s female associates. Abe founded the “Shin Kigen” (New Era) periodical and it was in the editorial office of that magazine that Pilsudski met him and others.

Ishikawa, educated in law and philosophy, collaborated with Shusui Kōtoku and the editorial board of “Heiminsha”, and strongly criticized the Russo-Japanese war. While working with Abe, he served as the editor-in-chief of “Shin Kigen” (New Era). He also took up a job as a managing director of the feminist magazine “Sekai fujin” (Women of the World).

Naoe Kinoshita was a Christian journalist and writer who was involved in the women’s liberation movement; he was also one of the co-founders of the Social Democratic Party established in 1901 and outlawed a short time later. He also founded and wrote for the paper “Heimin Shinbun” (People’s Newspaper), wrote many articles, and focused on criticizing the Russo-Japanese war – he was a pacifist in line with his Christian worldview. Somehow this pacifism must have appealed to Bronisław Piłsudski, who always sought to settle disputes peacefully and avoid violence. Piłsudski met with him at the editorial office of the “Shin Kigen” newspaper.