Camp View Of The Law Genroku Japanese

The Tokugawa shogunate system was completed until the third Shogun Iemitsu period after Ieyasu, Hidetada. There are two pillars which establish the Bakuhan system, namely the right of military made up in the form of "alternate attendance of daimyo"(Sankin-kotai) and the right of diplomacy in the form of "national isolationism"(Sakoku). The "Sakoku" policy (the policy of "isolationism") issued by Tokugawa Iemitsu, stated that the only European influence permitted was the Dutch factory at Dejima in Nagasaki. Therefore under this circumstance, how did Kaempfer, a European, get to know Japan in the early modern period?Germany naturalist and doctor Engelbert Kaempfer (1651-1716), as a surgeon in the Dutch East India Company1, went to Jakarta (Batavia) in1689, and came to Japan in1690(Genroku3rd) and stayed in Japan until October1692. During this time, Kaempfer accompanied Kapitan2on their visit to Edo twice in1691and1692, and recorded observations in a comprehensive manner about Japanese history, society, politics, religion, flora and fauna, in particular, introduced the Genroku period under the "Sakoku"policy in detail. It’s no exaggeration to say that most Westerners learned about Japan through Kaempfer’s manuscripts in18th and19th Century, and his writings were unparalleled during the following150years.In my thesis, I apply Imagologie, a new study approach proposed by France literati Daniel-Henri Pageaux and Jean-Marc Moura, into my research on the image of Japan in the eyes of Kaempfer based on interpretation and analysis of historical materials.More specifically, based on the fifth volume of The History of Japan—BOOK V. The Author’s two Journies To the Emperor’s Court at JEDO, the City of his Residence Kaempfer left, with reference to the Japanese translation, I try to decipher the invaluable records which are much more precious on account of his foreign perspective and make his understanding of Japan clear. Therefore, I develop my discussion and analysis centered on four aspects:international relations in Japan, Japanese belief condition, foreign factors in Japan, different parts of Japan through Kaempfer’s viewpoint, and focus on the foreign perceptions of Kaempfer. At the same time, I also refer to A True Description of the Mighty Kingdoms of Japan by Francois Caron and The Deshima Diaries Marginalia.The social position of Kaempfer and Dutch missions to Edo were very subtle, even standing in an awkward position. They had pride as mission of honor, instead of merchants, but "prisoner of war" and "humiliation" appear many times in BOOK V. The Author’s two Journies To the Emperor’s Court at JEDO, the City of his Residence. Japanese government show strong vigilance against foreigners, communication with Japanese was banned as much as possible. Ordinary Japanese had expressed a sense of respect and care, but the interpreter was hostile and hatred against Europeans.We can find the long and deep influence by Confucianism through Japanese politeness and strict hierarchy. Kaempfer highly praised the etiquette of Japanese in BOOK Ⅴ. The Author’s two Journies To the Emperor’s Court at JEDO, the City of his Residence."In terms of courtesy, there are no people in the whole world who performed better than Japanese. More than that, their behavior, from person of lower status to Daimyo of high capacity, all being polite, so we could call Japan the whole country a high school to teach etiquette."Based on Japanese attitudes towards Chinese culture and articles, European culture and articles, we can see the extent of their acceptance and rejection in daily life of Japanese.Unlike the past perception, Kaempfer evaluated general Tsunayoshi as an outstanding monarch from the viewpoint of world history because the fifth shogun Tsunayoshi Tokugawa who was called "the dog shogun" owing to The Law Prohibiting Cruelty to Animals (Shorui-Awaremi-no-rei).In a nutshell, the Genroku Japanese society in the eyes of Kaempfer is a society full of happiness and peace. Compared to European countries which were in wars at that time, this peaceful Genroku Japan was impressive for Kaempfer. Thus, Kaempfer held a very favorable impression on Japan and obtained a re-recognition of Germany even Europe through the mirror of Japanese culture and history.