Kokugaku----the Japanese National Study

Kokugaku, i.e., the Japanese National Study, was emerged in Genroku era of Edo (1720s). It was one of the symbols of cultural self-consciousness in Japan in an era of western culture spreading to the east. The most influential four scholars were Kada no Azumamaro, Kamo no Mabuchi, Motoori Norinaga, and Hirata Atsutane, who made great contributions by researching the ancient Japanese classics with philological methods. They tried to break away from the influence of Chinese culture and their studies show strong inclinations of Japan-centrism.Kokugaku scholars participated in politics actively in the late years of Edo (Bakumatsu). Their thoughts in loyalty to the emperor contributed to the Meiji Restoration. However, in early years of Meiji, Kokugaku was inevitably marginalized by a movement called "De-Asianize and Europeanize" throughout Japan. Before World War Ⅱ, Kokugaku became popular again, accompanying the ascendance of nationalism. Because of this relationship to World War Ⅱ, Kokugaku research stagnated for several years after the war ended. Nowadays, the study of Kokugaku has been transformed into a subject in Japanese history of thought, different from traditional Kokugaku.This study chronicled the beginning, development and transformation process of Kokugaku in the background of Japanese history, with particular attention to transformation of the definition of Kokugaku in history, and Kokugaku scholars’attitudes to the definition.