A Study of Confucianism and Modern Entrepreneurs in Osaka, Focusing on Hakuen Shoin and Choken Kaitokudo

2019 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 17K18250
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: History of thought; Chinese philosophy/Indian philosophy/Buddhist studies
• Research Institution: Kansai University
• Principal Investigator: YOKOYAMA Shunichiro 関西大学, 東西学術研究所, 非常勤研究員 (60759827)
• Project Period (FY): 2017-04-01 – 2020-03-31
• Keywords: 泊園書院 / 日本漢学 / 工業化 / 企業家 / 名望家 / 藤澤南岳 / 褒章名鑑 / 地域社会

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study considers the relationship between Confucianism, which was a traditional culture of East Asia, and the entrepreneurs who learned it, focusing on the city of Osaka. Hakuen Shoin, a Confucian school that existed in Osaka during the Meiji era, produced many entrepreneurs during the period called the boom of enterprise. They founded and managed railway, banking, spinning and other companies in the both of central and rural areas. I think there was the Confucianism learned at Hakuen Shoin behind their consciousness to develop the regional economy.

Free Research Field

日本漢学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまでの漢学と企業家との関係に関する研究は、日本資本主義の父と呼ばれた渋沢栄一が取り上げられ、とりわけ彼の道徳経済合一説が注目されてきた。しかし、本研究で取り上げる泊園書院出身の企業家は、まず人数が多く、その活動地も中央と地方に及び、彼らは渋沢の教説が世に出る以前に活動している。これらの条件により、企業勃興という経済事象を思想史的にアプローチすることが可能となり、従来にない試みができたと思われる。