元禄期における「日用」言説の展開 : 貝原益軒の伊藤仁斎批判

Abstract

In Genroku Kyoto, the Confucian scholar Itō Jinsai (1627-1705) opposed the "abstract" character of Zhuxi-school Confucianism by advocating an interpretation of the Way that was as easy to understand as it was to follow; jinrin nichiyō (daily ethical conduct). His ideas caused a great stir within the contemporary scholarly community and invited fierce criticism from especially the Kimon-school scholar Asami Keisai (1652-1711). In a previous paper I have already shown that the conflict between Jinsai and Keisai signified the emergence of a nichiyō discourse. This paper will take into account another Jinsai's critics, Kaibara Ekiken (1630-1714), to examine the further development of this discourse. In Dōjimon Higo, Ekiken, who then was developing his own views on "practical" scholarship, harshly criticized Jinsai's ideas. Given his neutral stance, this harshness comes as a surprise and is therefore significant. In this paper I will identify the essence of Ekiken's argument and contextualize it within his distinctive ideas on "serving Heaven and Earth". Doing so I will not only elucidate the difference between Jinsai's and Ekiken's scholarly concerns, but also show that these same concerns reappear in their respective conceptions of nichiyō.