A study on the exchange of books between Japan and China in the modern period, with special attention to business activities

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 23520061
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Chinese philosophy
• Research Institution: National Institute of Japanese Literature
• Principal Investigator: CHEN Jie 国文学研究資料館, 研究部, 教授 (40318580)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: 書籍交流 / 日中文化交流 / 近代出版 / 書籍商の活動

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study the author has first investigated the network linking booksellers in Japan and China in the first half of the Meiji era, by systematically examining, sorting out, and analyzing the basic materials such as notes used for communication in writing by the people who were coming and going between these two countries, travel reports, and booksellers' catalogues. Through these, the author has considered the path of distribution of books between the two countries and the actual situation of the interaction among the people involved. This study is significant for the examination of the interaction between Japan and China in the modern period, and also contributes to understanding the development process of new culture and knowledge across the borders.

Free Research Field

中国思想