CD-ROM Welcome to the Norinaga World !
I. The Network of Norinaga all over Japan
1. Hoashi Nagaaki & MisatoJust 200 years ago, a family of three left Yamaga, Kumamoto, Japan. Hoashi Nagaaki, a poor priest, had already visited Norinaga four times in those fifteen years and copied the great works of Norinaga to bring them back to his home, Higo Area. In this section we show the 44 volumes of the Norinaga's masterpiece, "Kojiki-den" copied by Nagaaki with a help of his daughter, Misato, along with a poem by Misato. The poem is said to have been very much praised by Norinaga.
2. The Shrine of Izumo Taisha - Unta
In the year 2000, the news came out that many sets of three huge column tress were discovered in the property of Izumo Taisha. In his work in "Tamagatsuma," Norinaga thought over the image of the Shrine through the layout of "Kanawa" sent by one of his followers, Senge Toshizane. Another student of his, Oodachi Takakado introduced a book "Kuchizusami" describing "Unta" in Heian era.
3. The Gold Stamp - found in Shikanoshima
The gold stamp with Chinese letters meaning "the King of Nakoku in Japan," which was designated as one of the National Treasure on March 20 in 1954, was found in Shikanoshima in the north of Fukuoka, in 1784. Norinaga was asked to write about the stamp and wrote his thoughts down. During the period of Tenmei(1781~1789), there were many historic findings. The information of them spread to scholars all over the country quickly and precisely.
4. Yasusada, King of Iwami no Kuni Hamada, meets Norinaga
Matsudaira Yasusada, King of Hamada in Iwami, was very interested in "Kokugaku" (national learning) and sent his servant, Ozasa Minu to attend lectures of Norinaga. Yasusada himself sometimes visited Norinaga and listened to the lectures on "The Stories of Genji," and asked the master to write the interpretation on the stories. The gift Yasusada gave to Norinaga for the interpretation was a replica of the legendary bell, "Ekirei," which had found in Oki shortly before. Norinaga also was informed of knowledge from the Dutch in Nagasaki brought by Ozasa Minu.
5. The Sound of Bells - Ekirei - The legendary bell since the ancient times.
Ekirei is a legendary bell since the ancient times. The news the bell existed in Okinoshima came out to the public when Kuninomiyatsuko Sachinari brought it to the capital in 1785. Starting from the next year, Sachinari's master, Nishiyori Seisai and Namikawa Kazunori began the research and the study over the bell. On November 12, 1790, when the new palace was completed and the Emperor Koukaku moved into the new palace, in the parade was a box with Ekirei in it. In the crowd, Norinaga, his students and Haruniwa, his son, watched the parade.
II. Norinaga's Researches and Studies
6. Norinaga in Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo)Norinaga stayed in Edo for the training to be a merchant twice but he did not like it. By sending him to Edo, his mother sensed that Norinaga was no good for a merchant. Later he was allowed to go to Kyoto to study to be a doctor and stayed there for five years. His days in Kyoto were fantastic in many senses and he learned many things from respectful masters, great friends and the atmosphere of the capital.
7. A Night in Matsusaka - Norinaga meeting Mabuchi
Returning from Kyoto, Norinaga started to practice as a physician, while attending poem-reading gatherings, and lecturing on "The Stories of Genji."
While he was getting more and more interested in "Kojiki," the oldest history book in Japan, his meeting with Kamono Mabuchi on May 25, 1763 at Shinjoya became a turning point for Norinaga to determine to write the interpretation on "Kojiki." Mabuchi helped him with the interpretation as a master.
8. Norinaga's Study Room
Norinaga's study room is called "Suzunoya," which was completed in winter when he was 53 years old. From the pictures of the room, we may be able to imagine what dream he had, while lying down on the floor at times, how sweetly the bells on the wall comforted him, or what book he kept on his shelf.
9. Norinaga's Studies and Publications
While Norinaga enthusiastically studied and researched, he ambitiously tried to have his own studies published. He was able to publish 30 books in his life and 20 publications was sent out after his death, with the help of his family and followers. Through those books, we can still feel the style of Norinaga.
10. Norinaga and Trips
Norinaga drew the map of Japan at the age of 17, when he seems to have started to capture his world nationally, not provincially. He became a scholar of national learning. Norinaga also loved traveling. He took trips of fieldwork, studying and researching and such. Of his trips, he enjoyed the travel to Yoshino and Asuka. He wrote his essays on the trip, "Sugagasa Nikki(trip notes)."
III. Norinaga's Daily Life
11. Matsusaka for NorinagaMatsusaka is Norinaga's hometown and he loved it. He said, "Matsusaka is a nice town. It has many wealthy families and is very convenient. It is close enough to the capital to know the trend, while it has a lot of entertainment of performance, and festivals." In this section, we now describe the town of Matsusaka, which Norinaga loved, and the life of people at that time.
12. Norinaga of this month
Here we show you how Norinaga spent his day in spring, summer, fall or winter. By the month, we will describe the life of Norinaga's.
13. Norinaga - a professional physician
He was a physician professionally. What kind of doctor was he? What kind of medicine he could practice at that time? We will reveal them along with his tools for his practice in his box of medicine, "Kusuribako.".
14. Norinaga's likes and dislikes
His favorites? They were bells, cherry blossoms, Kyoto, etc.... Is it true that he liked tofu? Was he really well-dressed? What were his dislikes? In this section we will show you likes and dislikes of Norinaga.
IV. Keywords - 36 windows
V. References
♦ Norinaga's works
TamakatsumaTamakusigeUiyamabumiSugagasa NikkiMakuranoyama♦ Norinaga's Personal History
♦ Norinaga's Resume
♦ The Motoori's Family Tree
♦ in English
About Norinaga the summary of this CD-ROM in English♦ Index
♦ Staff Roll