The Reproduction of Visible Confucian Forms in 17th Century Japan as a Case of Transculturation

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25370747
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Historical studies in general
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: CHARD Robert 東京大学, 東洋文化研究所, 客員教授 (30571492)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: Confucianism / Ritual

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research project elucidates the formation of pan-regional culture by investigating the reproduction of visible Confucian forms in 17th-century Japan, particularly temples and ritual. In concrete terms, the investigation of primary source materials from local archives has clarified the reproduction of Chinese cultural forms by domain lords as being driven and shaped by factors indigenous to Japan, and resulted in forms different from their Chinese counterparts in significant respects, particularly in the emphasis on public, visible buildings, garments, and ceremonies.

Free Research Field

中国文献学、東アジア文化史