| This dissertation is concerned with the development of a set of shared concerns between and amongst the groups of "Buddhists," "Confucians," and "Kokugakusha" that are often assumed to be both autonomous and at odds with one another. While factional struggles did indeed fragment the social and intellectual landscapes of early modern Japan, the very fact of debate also signals the concomitant development of a critical discourse of engagement and creativity that is easily overshadowed by the various claims of opposition and difference. It takes an interdisciplinary approach and engages in close textual analysis to present a complex vision of early modern debates over language, history and ritual. Focusing especially on Buddhist contributions, the dissertation looks at three case studies: Keichu (1640-1701), Tominaga Nakamoto (1715-1746), and Jiun Sonja (1718-1804). |
