Edo Confucian Hayashi Razan And The Officialization Of Zhu Zi’s Theory

Hayashi Razan, was a Confucian scholars, founding the Zhu zi’s theory in the early years of Edo era. At the age of 23,he became a member of Tokugawa shogun’s think tank. He had served four generations of shogun for his whole life until the death of 75-year-old. He not only had an impact on the political system of the Tokugawa shogunate, diplomacy and education, but also greatly influenced socio-cultural and social thought of the Edo periodThis dissertation develops from Hayashi Razan ’s career activities and his Zhu zi’s theory. It argues against those negative ideas on Hayashi Razan from previous studies. Meanwhile, this study focuses on the ways of Hayashi Razan how he used his Zhu zi’s theory in Japan’s shogunate politics and how he opened the access of Zhuism’s Officialization.The paper consists of five chapters. The first chapter discusses the trends and significance of research on Hayashi Razan Thought and its Influence. The second chapter exhibits the Hayashi Razan’s important deeds in his life. Chapter 3 illustrates Zhu zi thought of Hayashi Razan, including its political impact on the shogunate, and similarities and differences between Hayashi Razan Zhuzi Thought and Chinese Zhuism. The fourth chapter discusses Hayashi Razan’s activities on Sinology, education and diplomacy, and their influences on Edo society. The fifth chapter analyzes the accepted background of Zhuzi in Japan, the reasons of prosperity and its development, then the way of officializatin of Hayashi Razan Zhuism will be discussed in this chapter.