User:Immanuelle/Tamakatsuma

Tamakatsuma (玉勝間) is a collection of essays by Motoori Norinaga, a scholar of Kokugaku (National Learning) during the Edo period, consisting of 14 sections.

Overview

Comprising 14 volumes, with one volume serving as a catalog, the drafting began in 1793 (the 5th year of the Kansei era) and included entries up until 1801 (the 1st year of the Kyowa era), with revisions continued until completion. It was then published in three volumes at a time between 1795 (the 7th year of the Kansei era) and 1812 (the 9th year of the Bunka era). The "tama" in "Tamagatsuma" is a prefix, which in ancient language denotes a fine bamboo basket, or is a pillow word relating to the fitting of the actual basket and its lid, meaning "to fit" or "to match".

It records the knowledge Norinaga acquired from his classical studies, and presents his views on various fields of study and thought, including the examination of court and samurai customs, etymology, as well as discourses and excerpts from listening and reading. It mentions that "especially in the countryside, there are many old and interesting customs, such as funerals and weddings," incorporating a folkloristic perspective. The work, detailing Norinaga's dedication to life and learning, is important for understanding his thoughts in his later years.

Origins

Tamakatsuma is a significant work by the Japanese scholar Motoori Norinaga, consisting of a collection of essays distributed across fourteen volumes. The writing of these essays commenced in 1792, and they were published in stages from 1795 until several years posthumously following Norinaga's death in 1812. The essays in the collection are structured into fifteen sections, showcasing a style characteristic of the early modern period in Japan.

Etymology

The title "Tamakatsuma" derives from the Japanese term for a bamboo basket ('katsuma'), symbolizing the method by which Norinaga compiled his thoughts. It is suggested that Norinaga always intended these writings for publication, collecting spontaneous insights over time in this metaphorical basket.

Contents and Themes

The essays encompass a broad range of topics, reflecting Norinaga's eclectic scholarly interests especially towards the end of his monumental project on the Kojiki-den. The contents of Tamakatsuma include:

- Ancient Texts: Discussions and quotations from ancient records.

- Linguistic Studies: Analysis of vulgar words and regional dialects.

- Geographical Documentation: Gazetteers and detailed investigations into shrines.

- Autobiographical Elements: A profile of Norinaga himself.

- Cultural Criticism: Critical views on Chinese philosophical and cultural influences.

- Scholarship: General insights into Norinaga’s broader scholarly pursuits.

Publications

The essays were released in five increments, with three volumes each, indicating a methodical approach to dissemination over nearly two decades. This method of publication not only kept Norinaga’s work in scholarly discussion but also allowed his ideas to evolve publicly as they were being formulated.

Legacy

Tamakatsuma is preserved as a prime example of scholarly work from its era and remains an essential resource for understanding both the personal and intellectual context of Motoori Norinaga's life. It is featured prominently in Volume One of the *Motoori Norinaga Zenshū* (published by Chikuma Shobō, 1968) and in the volume dedicated to Moto'ori Norinaga in the *Nihon Shisō Taikei* (Iwanami Shoten, 1978), ensuring its accessibility to future generations of scholars and enthusiasts of Japanese history and philosophy.

See Also

• Kojiki-den

Sources

• "Kadokawa Second Edition Japanese History Dictionary" (角川第二版日本史辞典) p610, edited by Mitsuhisa Takayanagi and Rizo Takeuchi, Kadokawa Shoten, 1966
• "Iwanami Japanese History Dictionary" (岩波日本史辞典) p740, supervised by Keiji Nagahara, Iwanami Shoten, 1999

This page will be placed in the following categories if it is moved to the article namespace.

Categories:

• 1800s books
• 1790s books
• Motoori Norinaga
• Edo-period works
• Kokugaku
• Ouvrage de l'époque d'Edo

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