A Preliminary Study on the Expression of the Tamed Imperial Ideology in the Meiji Era: A Focus on the “Dou” of Matsumura Kaiseki

Title

A Preliminary Study on the Expression of the Tamed Imperial Ideology in the Meiji Era: A Focus on the “Dou” of Matsumura Kaiseki

Author

Shiaw-hua CHIEN

Page

159-185

DOI

10.6163/TJEAS.201806_15(1).0006

Abstract

Modern Japanese imperial ideology was firmly established after the announcement of the Meiji Constitution and Imperial Rescript on Education. Such ideology further became an unchallengeable and highest principle to the public opinion and intellectual circle after the Lese-Majesty Incident and the controversy between national education and religion. Based on the above concept, this essay focuses and attempts to analyze Matsumura Kaiseki’s notion of “Dou.” My research tries to point out that Matsumura’s idea of “Dou” was developed step by step in his two books, Shuyoroku and Shuyoshisho. The core of Matsumura’s idea refers to “all religions are included in ‘Dou’.” His thought, on one hand, concludes the concept of “Kami (God)” and “Dou (Way)” which are implicated in Christianity, Buddhism, and Confucianism. On the other hand, it not only contradicts Christian doctrine of the only true God and ignores paradoxes in all religions, but also eschews discussions on Shinto’s concept of “Kami” and “Dou.” In sum, Matsumura’s notion is an expression of tamed imperial ideology in the Meiji Era.

Keyword

Matsumura Kaiseki, “Dou”, Shuyoroku, Shuyoshisho

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