A Study of Kyokutei Bakin: Recognition about the governing principle of nation and history

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24720103
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Japanese literature
• Research Institution: Aoyama Gakuin University
• Principal Investigator: OYA Taeko 青山学院大学, 文学部, 准教授 (50451779)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 日本文学 / 江戸時代 / 曲亭馬琴 / 歴史認識 / 治国思想

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We had three main results regarding Kyokutei Bakin’s recognition about the governing principle of the nation and history. Bakin is a popular novelist in the latter period of Edo. First, we paid special attention to the term “Yamato-damashii,” Japanese traditional spirit, in his novels. This fact should indicate that Bakin was affected by “Suika-shinto” of Ansai Yamazaki. Then we examined the governing principle of the nation from the term “Bu-no-kuni” and its influence on his stories. Second, we studied Bakin’s recognition of Japan and foreign countries in one of his most important works, “Chinsetsu-Yumihariduki,” considering several episodes modeled on “Joruri”s by Chikamatsu-monzaeon, a writer in the former period of Edo. Finally, we examined Bakin’s use of Japanese mythology in his works, in order to elucidate his recognition of Japanese ancient history.

Free Research Field

日本近世文学