zengakurenhttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zengakuren_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_useZengakuren, n.
Revised 2018

Zengakurennoun

  1. I.
    Compounds
    1. I.1.
      1950–
      attributive. Designating a radical left-wing student movement in Japan, particularly active during the 1950s and 1960s. Also: of or relating to this movement.
      1. 1950
        The Zengakuren organization.
        New York Times 19 May 7/2
      2. 1952
        On May 23, [1950] at a Zengakuren convention.
        E. S. Colbert, Left Wing in Japanese Politics v. 300
      3. 1967
        The large Zengakuren ideas and practical accomplishments.
        D. Riesman & E. T. Riesman, Conversations in Japan 121
      4. 1988
        Helmets and wooden staves like those used by Japan's militant Zengakuren students in their frequent confrontations with police.
        Grit (Williamsport, Pennsylvania) 17 July 5/1
      5. 2010
        A Japanese radical leftist group Zengakuren member with a ‘Smash APEC’ bib.
        Orange (Texas) Leader 14 November 5a(caption)
  2. II.
    Simple uses.
    1. II.2.
      1962–
      A member of a Japanese Zengakuren group; (also) members of the Zengakuren movement considered collectively.
      1. 1962
        By noon each day the black-uniformed ranks of Zengakuren were on the move.
        J. Cary, Japan Today xii. 155
      2. 1987
        A Zengakuren from the fifties who committed suicide after being accused by the C[ommunist] P[arty] faction of helping an informer escape.
        M. Turim in Journal Film & Video vol. 39 50/1
      3. 2007
        Yoshida was a Zengakuren in the seventies. He was the head of the riots in Tokyo.
        A. Swofford, Exit A (2008) 92

Zengakuren, n. was revised in June 2018.

Zengakuren, n. was last modified in June 2025.