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We know much about Norinaga's life in great detail. Although it's been more than 200 years since his passing, we can quite clearly say what he did, where, and when. This is because he was a man who always had his pen in hand, and left precise records of his own life. |
 Diary |
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This is Norinaga's diary. It begins from the day he was born until thirteen days before he passed away. At the age of 13, he began looking into questions about his own birth, and started recording his findings in a diary. On the inside front cover of the book is written an account of his father visiting the Mikumari Shrine in Nara to pray for the birth of a child, one year before Norinaga's birth. |
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| Zaikyou Diary = Diary in Kyoto |
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When Norinaga was 23 years old, he studied in Kyoto in order to become a doctor. This diary recorded the five years Norinaga spent in Kyoto. Friends, learning, memories: fun things were recorded in this diary. |
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| Sugakasa Diary |
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This is Norinaga's diary of his trip to Yoshino, Asuka (present-day southern Nara Prefecture). The then 43-year-old Norinaga made the journey on foot in 10 days. This trip included cherry blossom viewing in Yoshino, and a visit to Yoshino-mikumari Shrine. (Norinaga's parents bore him after praying for a child at Mikumari Shrine, so Norinaga had great faith in this shrine.) Visiting ancient Japanese sites, it seems to have been a very fruitfully academic and enjoyable trip for Norinaga. |
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| Shoyouchou = Miscellaneous Accounts |
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Norinaga kept his household accounts by himself.
He believed that consistencyis important for study. Therefore, lifestyle stability is essential.
By keeping household records Norinaga hoped to live life more efficiently and eliminate wasted time. In this way, he devoted his leftover time and money to his studies. |
| Last Will |
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Norinaga wrote a last will and testament for his son and family one year before passing away. He wrote in detail of how to prepare the funeral, how to determine the anniversary of his death, of what to do after his death, his tomb and about paying respects. |
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