2001 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
Japan and Belgium in the 19th century
| Project/Area Number |
11695014
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Japanese history
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| Research Institution | Kansai University |
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Principal Investigator |
ICHIHARA Yasuhisa Kansai University, Faculty of Law, Professor, 法学部, 教授 (60140240)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
ASAJI Keizo Kansai University, Faculty of Letters, Professor, 文学部, 教授 (70151024)
YABUTA Yutaka Kansai University, Faculty of Letters, Professor, 文学部, 教授 (80027987)
SHIBAI Keiji Kansai University, Faculty of Letters, Professor, 文学部, 教授 (00144311)
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| Project Period (FY) |
1999 – 2001
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| Keywords | Japan / Belgium / modernization / international surroundings / the great country and the small country / nation states / Iwakura enboy / historical identity |
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| Research Abstract |
The principal purpose of the present project of ours has been the comparative analysis of the history of Japan and Belgium from the viewpoint of modernization of the states in the 19th century. The project team consists of seven members, four from Japan and three from Belgium. Scholars on one side visited another country mutually, collecting intellectual materials kept in the archives, libraries and museums. The project of ours accomplished the expected aim as follows.
First. About lwakura envoy and Belgium. Arjan van der Werf, researcher of Catholic University of Leuven, traced the decision making process in detail. Professor Vande Walle, utilizing the Belgian governmental documents, explained how the Belgians tried to meet the Japanese mission's intention. On the Japanese side, professor Yabuta recognized a principle of small countries (Shokoku) in the style of Kume Kunitake's 'Beiou Kairanjkki' and Sufu Kouhei's 'Berugikokushi. In the similar context, professor Shibai focused on the strong interests of some delegates to the coal and iron industries in Belgium.
Secondly comparison of the modernization of the constitution between Japan and Belgium. Professor lchahara from Japanese side and professor Vernoverbeke from Belgian side made a close inspection of the Belgian influence on the stipulation of Meiji Constitution in Japan. According to their conclusion, firstly Belgian constitution influenced much on the basic issues of drafting debates, but later Prussian influence became predominant over the crucial articles of the constitution.
Thirdly comparison of historical identity of both nations. Professor Asaji made a comparison between two historians, namely Kume Kunitake and Henri Pirenne, especially focusing on their nationalism and their suffering frona imperialism.
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