Kokugaku

Kokugaku, meaning "National Learning," was an indigenous Japanese field of study that emerged in the mid-18th century. It focused on the study of classical Japanese literature, history, and philosophy, aiming to reconstruct and understand what its proponents believed to be the pure, pre-Chinese influences on Japanese culture. Key figures in the Kokugaku movement included Motoori Norinaga, who is widely considered its most important scholar.

The scholars of Kokugaku sought to distinguish what they saw as authentic Japanese traditions from the perceived corrupting influences of Chinese Buddhism and Confucianism, which had been dominant in Japan for centuries. They believed that by returning to ancient texts and their original interpretations, they could uncover the true spirit and aesthetic sensibilities of the Japanese people. This involved meticulous textual analysis and a deep engagement with early Japanese poetry, such as the Man'yōshū, and historical chronicles like the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki.

Kokugaku had a significant impact on Japanese intellectual and political life, particularly in the late Edo and Meiji periods. Its emphasis on a unique Japanese identity and a glorification of the imperial lineage contributed to the rise of nationalism and the eventual Meiji Restoration. While the academic field itself has evolved, the core ideas of Kokugaku continued to influence discussions about Japanese identity and cultural heritage.