Abstract: Being a geographical neighbour, Japan’s relation with Russia has had a fair share of ups and downs. In the late 17th century “freebooters” operated illegally at people-to-people level in contravention of Japanese laws of National seclusion in the northern regions of present-day Hokkaido Island. Russia had played a key role in breaking the National seclusion policy of Japan. Russians, because of their physical build, appeared to be barbarian like to the petite Japanese and were referred to as Aka Ezo1 (Red Ezo). After the Meiji Restoration, the Russian-Japanese treaty opened Shimoda, Hakodate and Nagasaki to Russian ships for repairs and provisioning. Relations further transitioned with the Russo Japanese war in 1904 and the Russian Revolution when there was an exodus of White Russians. This study looks at the perception and relations with Russians who migrated to Japan through the literary lens. Tanizaki Junichiro, an author of great repute, in his work, “The Makioka Sisters” portrays a Russian family in Kobe. A close study of the characters as observed by the Japanese protagonists will help shed light on Russia and Russians beyond newspaper facts. Through this interaction with the Russian family, one can observe a change in the perception of Russians amongst the Japanese compared to earlier times.

Keywords: White Russians, Perceptions, Russo-Japanese relations, Second World War backdrop, Lessons for Japan.