The Tobunken Seminar, "Japonya'da Sohbet-i Osmaniye-6" was held on Monday, March 6, 2023. This workshop has been held with the aim of promoting research exchange and development through dialogue between emerging researchers specializing in the study of Ottoman history in Japan and leading scholars from abroad. This time, Professor Michael Talbot, a specialist on Ottoman diplomacy from the University of Greenwich, was invited to provide comments and ask questions in response to the papers presented by three young scholars.
Dr. Nagashima's paper analyzed the structure that led to violence against Bulgarian civilians during military counterinsurgency operations in Ottoman Macedonia on the eve of the Young Turk Revolution. Dr. Suzuki's paper discussed the development of the medical and sanitary system in late Ottoman Izmir, focusing on the municipality and municipal doctors. Mr. Naruji reported on the settlement of refugees and support for refugees in the late 19th-century Ottoman Empire, focusing on the assistance movements by the local people and those from abroad.
Professor Talbot was impressed by the new and original research being conducted in Japan by the younger generation of scholars. He asked questions related to Dr. Nagashima's use of photographs and ego-documents as well as the influence of social Darwinism. He also addressed questions to Dr. Suzuki about the authors and readers of local newspapers and the significance of Izmir's multi religious setting in the medical system. Finally, he asked Mr. Naruji about the information obtained from petitions and the nature of donations. These questions brought about further discussion.
Date and time: March 6 (Mon), 2023, 4pm-6pm
Venue：Second Meeting Room, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, the University of Tokyo
Program:
Speakers:
Iku Nagashima (U Tokyo): The Ottoman Counterinsurgency and Violence on the Eve of the Young Turk Revolution
Shingo Suzuki (Independent researcher): The Modern Ottoman Medical and Sanitary System and Local Society: Izmir at the Turn of the 20th Century
Sota Naruji (Meiji U): Refugee Settlement and Assistance in the Ottoman Empire in the Late 19th Century
Discussant:
Michael Talbot (University of Greenwich)
Moderator:
Madoka Morita (TUFS)
*The workshop is supported by JSPS KAKENHI Grant No. 20H05827 and No. 20H01322.