Title
Intellectuals and Kyoyo (Self-Cultivation) in 20th Century Japan:
The Creation and Utilization of Masao Maruyama Collection Digital Manuscript Archive
This is a "MEXT-Supported Program for the Strategic Research Foundation at Private Universities".
Objective
We need a new world view to solve complex problems today. Kyoyo (Gr. bildung, education, formation, or self-cultivation) that synthesizes diverse disciplines is essential for obtaining a new world view, which may lead us to solve the numerous issues that human society faces today.
The oeuvre of Masao Maruyama is significant in this regard. He was active in many intellectual areas in 20th century Japan, and developed a rich body of thought on kyoyo. While Maruyama's academic research centered on the history of Japanese political thought, his intellectual explorations were unconstrained by the discipline, and far more multifarious. Maruyama was arguably not only among the most well-rounded 20th-century Japanese thinkers in their kyoyo, but also a thinker who was constantly aware of the significance and relevance of kyoyo to his ideas and studies.
The Masao Maruyama Collection at Tokyo Woman's Christian University preserves Maruyama's personal library and notes/manuscripts in near-complete form. The Maruyama Masao Center for the History of Ideas at TWCU has been publishing unpublished manuscripts in the collection, issuing the Bulletin of Maruyama Masao Center for the History of Ideas, and hosting lectures, thereby contributing to a reassessment of Maruyama's work.
Based on the experience of organizing the Masao Maruyama Collection, the Maruyama Masao Center for the History of Ideas tries to reveal how Maruyama and other 20th century Japanese intellectuals built up and perceived kyoyo. We will also investigate the roles played by Inazo Nitobe, Shigeru Nambara, Masao Maruyama, and others in forming an international community of intellectuals, and explore new ways of forming intellectual communities in the 21st century. At the same time, we will create the Masao Maruyama Collection Digital Manuscript Archive, in order to make them widely accessible to both Japanese and international readers.
Through these activities, we contribute to the investigation of kyoyo and chi (knowledge, awareness) in the 21st century.
The oeuvre of Masao Maruyama is significant in this regard. He was active in many intellectual areas in 20th century Japan, and developed a rich body of thought on kyoyo. While Maruyama's academic research centered on the history of Japanese political thought, his intellectual explorations were unconstrained by the discipline, and far more multifarious. Maruyama was arguably not only among the most well-rounded 20th-century Japanese thinkers in their kyoyo, but also a thinker who was constantly aware of the significance and relevance of kyoyo to his ideas and studies.
The Masao Maruyama Collection at Tokyo Woman's Christian University preserves Maruyama's personal library and notes/manuscripts in near-complete form. The Maruyama Masao Center for the History of Ideas at TWCU has been publishing unpublished manuscripts in the collection, issuing the Bulletin of Maruyama Masao Center for the History of Ideas, and hosting lectures, thereby contributing to a reassessment of Maruyama's work.
Based on the experience of organizing the Masao Maruyama Collection, the Maruyama Masao Center for the History of Ideas tries to reveal how Maruyama and other 20th century Japanese intellectuals built up and perceived kyoyo. We will also investigate the roles played by Inazo Nitobe, Shigeru Nambara, Masao Maruyama, and others in forming an international community of intellectuals, and explore new ways of forming intellectual communities in the 21st century. At the same time, we will create the Masao Maruyama Collection Digital Manuscript Archive, in order to make them widely accessible to both Japanese and international readers.
Through these activities, we contribute to the investigation of kyoyo and chi (knowledge, awareness) in the 21st century.
Project Outline
The project is organized under the two topics.
1.Kyoyo (self-cultivation) and Gakumon (Learning, Scholarship) of 20th Century Japanese Intellectuals
The Maruyama Masao Center for the History of Ideas will conduct multifaceted research on the processes by which 20th century Japanese intellectuals built kyoyo, and what their views on kyoyo and gakumon were. It will use both the published and unpublished manuscripts and other materials in the Masao Maruyama Collection.
2.Examination and Research of the Masao Maruyama Collection, and Creation of the Masao Maruyama Collection Digital Manuscript Archive
Beside 12,200 books on open shelves, there are over 6,000 books and periodicals with inscriptions, plus numerous music scores, manuscripts, notes, and correspondence. Studies over the past 13 years have revealed the profile of the collection as a whole to a significant extent, but research into specific materials, and the sharing of research outcome with academics within and outside Japan are yet to take place. By examining and studying the primary materials in the Masao Maruyama Collection, and by reprinting, publishing, and digitizing those of significance, the project aims to provide academics greater access to them, and promote a deeper understanding of Maruyama's ideas and scholarship.
Expected Outcome
The project aims to achieve the following:
- Invigorate domestic and overseas research pertaining to 20th century Japanese intellectuals and kyoyo by completing the Masao Maruyama Collection Digital Manuscript, including unpublished manuscripts and materials.
- Significantly advance Masao Maruyama studies and research in Japanese intellectual history by organizing and providing access to unpublished manuscripts and materials by Masao Maruyama.
- Establish an international hub for Masao Maruyama studies and studies in Japanese intellectual history, and at the same time strengthen the research and educational base of Tokyo Woman's Christian University's social sciences.
Project Members
Theme 1: Kyoyo and Gakumon of 20th Century Japanese Intellectuals as Revealed by the Materials Included in the Masao Maruyama Collection
Theme 2:Examination and Research of the Masao Maruyama Collection and Creation of the Masao Maruyama Collection Digital Manuscript Archive
Research Fellows and Staff
Project Researcher
Yuichi Kawaguchi
Staff Members
Takateru Harima, Kenji Horiuchi, Hajime Kaneko, Minako Sato, Haruhiko Yamabe