Collaborative Research
A Relationship between Eurasia and Japan: Mutual Interaction and Representation
| Type of Research | NIHU Joint Research projects |
|---|---|
| Project Title | General Research on Interaction between Japan and Eurasia |
| Research Title | A Relationship between Eurasia and Japan: Mutual Interaction and Representation |
| Head of the Research Team | KURUSHIMA Hiroshi |
| Research Period | 2005–2009 |
| Purpose | (1) Purpose Countries, as well as ethnic groups, on the Eurasian Continent have maintained close contact with Japan throughout history. Series of exchanges have been carried out, not only in the from of commerce, but also in the form of the items and cultures that accompanied the movements of the people involved, as well as in the form of a broad range of interactions in terms of technology and culture, including information transfer. In addition, these include exchanges on a variety of levels, encompassing adversarial relationships, such as in conflicts and wars, as well as cooperative relationships, when examining them in terms of contact situations. There are a number of studies focusing on the many aspects and problems regarding mutual exchange. However, when focusing only on the relationships between "Eurasia and Japan", contradistinctive perceptions, such as those regarding civilized (China and Western Europe) and uncivilized areas (peripheral areas including Japan), predominate in the discussions. Although there are new areas of study to be considered as media for exchanges – i.e., marine areas and research trends reviewing interactive and correlational relationships, their methodologies, points of view and subjects need to be evaluated further. In addition, in reviewing the history of Japan, it is necessary to undertake synthetic discussions and comparative analyses regarding the mutual interactions between Eurasia and Japan, as well as those which examine the vast regions of the Eurasian Continent, and focus on the exchange of goods, people and information. Moreover, in clarifying the question of how Eurasia and Japan regard each other, comparisons between one's own culture and different cultures, as well as issues concerning symbols of self and symbols of others, are drawing attention. However, there are still many points of contention that must be resolved regarding these topics. For example, symbols of others are not produced "naturally" through contact with foreign peoples but start from the intervention of the relationship between rulers and subjects. This relationship has tended to be a part of the systems of authority or the state systems in East Asia including Japan. For instance, the terms and concepts born in China, such as "Toui", "Seijyuu", "Nanban" and "Hokuteki," which indicate peripheral ethnic groups are closely related to the image of China and its national system. In Japan and Korea, it is necessary to consider the historical relationship between the "Little Chinas" in addition to the existence of the dual structure in the symbols of others expressed as "Little Chinas (Shou Chuuka)". We believe that examining the relationship between the symbols of others and the systems of authority, taking into consideration the interactions between different groups and their identities, will become one of the important points in the structurally clarifying the commonalities and differences between Eurasia and Japan. Therefore, from the standpoint of "Exchange and Symbols", we would like to examine the history of the relationship between "Eurasia and Japan" employing "comparison" as a research method in a broad manner. Specifically, considering "exchange", "systems of authority" and "symbols" as mutual themes, "a review of the issues in cultural acceptance, cultural transformation and cultural symbols coming from the movement of people and goods", "a comparison the processes of nation–state formation from the perspective of the movement of people, as well as that of the systems of authority", "a reevaluation of material culture from the standpoint of cultural symbols" and other subjects related to these will be examined under each of the themes in order to develop a profound understanding involving comparative studies. (2) Significance The issues discussed in this study are tangled and complex, they resist solution by single field of research, thus researchers from multiple areas including cultural anthropology, ethnology, folkloristics, history and literature must work together to study these three themes. In the process of this study, a new interdisciplinary approach of reciprocal interaction in terms of the methodologies of the various fields of study will be needed. For example, researchers from ethnology will analyze literature and acquired traditions as individual and collective memories in regards to oral traditions, folkways, technology, the performing arts and traditional implements. In addition, they will remain on the look out for both written and unwritten media to carry out research on through the organic relation of the two. On the other hand, researchers from the field of history will utilize the most advanced theories and viewpoints in ethnology to review historical interpretations of literature and objects. Moreover, although for the purpose of convenience only two study fields are mentioned in this example, this two–fold division will itself need to be revised and modified in the process of the analysis. As will be described later, through the process of discussions with researchers from different fields, the materials examined, exhibits in the field, and even the contents of these discussions themselves, can become commonly held research sources. In this study, our overseas studies will not stop with investigations in particular specialized fields, but through the process of establishing opportunities for communication between researchers, new research resources that are essential for this new form of analysis can be developed. This process is nothing but the "excavation of cultural resources" for the Inter–University Research Institute Corporation. For this research project, the 19th century has been selected as the era which will be the focus of these shared discussions. To reexamine the current situation, the period between the 19th century and the present will be extensively investigated, because in many cases, the formation of those events now considered to be "traditional" began in the 19th century. At the current time, due to the acceleration and increased complexity of international exchanges brought about by the striking developments in information and communication technology, mutual understanding has become more difficult. In additional, the reasons for these difficulties have often been regarded as differences in "traditional cultures", unnecessarily emphasizing the idea that thier deep history is the cause of profound disagreements. However, through this study, we would like to show that events that have been considered "traditional" do not have a particularly deep history. This result will be of great help in breaking the ice in the mutual relationships between Eurasia and Japan which present complex aspects in their current form and in bringing about new horizons and understanding. (3) Characteristics and originality in cooperative analysis This study was planned by both the National Museum of Japanese History (NMJH) and the National Museum of Ethnology (NME). To proceed with the research in a concrete manner, the three mutual themes and the time frame of the 19th century were established as the factors which needed to be held in common among all the participants (or, at the very least, they should be conscious of them). However, actual research requires more specific research topics than those items mentioned above. For instance, to take up "exchange" as an example, numerous subjects and a variety of approaches exist in exploring this aspect of our research. Therefore, to obtain a certain degree of achievement from our cooperative analysis in this limited time frame, it is essential to explore new research activities and methods with reference to the collected of results previously carried out research. This is a nonnegotiable point concerning the characteristics of this cooperative analysis. Nonetheless, that which is required in cooperative analysis is the discovery of new methods and new focuses of research in the study of culture and new research resources (cultural resources) that can be shared by the Inter–University Research Institute Corporation. In terms of these aspects, this study possesses the following characteristics and sense of originality. First, this study will enable the Inter–University Research Institute Corporation to not only establish a broad organization of researchers outside the institute but also allow it to conduct individual and joint workshops on the aforementioned three themes, providing rare and indispensable discussions. Simultaneously, the range of study will be broadened to include subjects that have not been commonly discussed such as exhibitions, archive films and music as well as tangible items and literature. In this process, new methods for large–scale cooperative analysis can be unearthed as well as subjects which should become the focus of research in the future. At the same time, by looking at (or listening to) shared objects from different viewpoints, new cultural resources for research will be obtained. However, the subject of this "high–level utilization of cultural resources" should not be the uncovering of new cultural resources for research but the materials owned by each institution themselves. This approach is a necessary condition as the Inter–University Research Institute Corporation. Although the importance and urgency of this are well understood, what needs to become the essential focus at the current time is those cultural resources for research that can be shared anew, indicating the significance of this study in terms of the aforementioned points. |
2008
Progress
The overall configuration of this research project consists of eight branches of research, each with sub–themes related to the three common themes and which autonomously conduct research.
| 1. "Comparative Analysis of External Interactions and Cultural Acceptance in Ancient East Asia" |
|---|
| team (Team leader: SUGIYAMA Shinsaku, NMJH) |
| 2. "The Movement of Goods and Information in the Seas around Japan" |
| team (Team leader: SASAKI Shiro, NME) |
| 3. "Movements of Populations and Exchange in the Border Regions of North and South China and the Country’s Policies regarding these Movements" |
| team (Team leader: TSUKADA Shigeyuki, NME) |
| 4. "Comparative Analysis of Immigration History" |
| team (Team leader: IMAIZUMI Yumiko, Housei University, Visiting professor of NMJH) |
| 5. "Comparative–Historical Analysis of the Nation–State" |
| team (Team leader: Kyeungdal Cho, Chiba University, Visiting professor of NMJH) |
| 6. "The Nation–state in Terms of the Movements of Population" |
team (Team leader: TAKEZAWA Shoichiro, NME) |
| 7. "Image of Music, The Performing Arts and Exchange in Eurasia" |
team (Team leaders: TERADA and SASAHARA Ryoji, NME) |
| 8. "Comparative Analysis in the Advocation of Culture" |
team (Team leader: HAYASHI Masahiko, Meiji University, Visiting professor of NMJH) |
Of the four team leaders, one is a faculty member of the NMJH and three of them are visiting professors at the NMJH.
The meetings of the administrative team act as a form of control and consolidation for the research project as a whole. The leaders and sub–leaders of each research branch are expected to participate in the meeting of the administrative team. First of all, a summary of the activities from these meetings are explained. The meetings of the administrative team were held a total of three times, planning overall budget allocations and the research plans for international symposiums. In addition, to consolidate the activities of each research branch, newsletters were published three times.
The accomplishments of the research project as a whole this year are described below.
(1) International symposium "Performance and Culture" at the National Museum of Japanese History on March 28 and 29, 2009
| Session 1 "Exchange and Symbols in Romani music" |
|---|
| The Romani people have played a major role in the formation of musical cultures across Eurasia. As they traveled from South Asia to Europe via West Asia, their music traveled with them, producing a number of unique music cultures on their ways. Some of the musical instruments found distributed across the vast areas of Eurasia, such as the zurna, are considered to have been brought by the Romani. In conventional research concerning the diffusion of music and musical instruments, there was a tendency for movement to be reviewed panoramically, excluding the independent identity, feelings or motivations of the Romani people that could serve as the basis of individual musical practice. Although there are some current studies that are focus on individual musicians or populations in a certain district in order to closely analyze their musical activities in relation to their daily life such as Bright Balkan Morning or Rom Musicians in Kosovo, these studies are only meant for ethnic music journals, leaving out any mentions concerning movement and exchange among regions. In this session, by focusing on various issues, such as the independence and human rights of the Romany, in order to reevaluate the contributions of the Romany to Eurasian musical culture, the possibilities for the integration of the aforementioned two approaches will be examined. |
| Session 2 "An International Comparison of Advocation and Propagation – Pictures, Voices and Sounds" |
Taking up examples from areas closely connected to life and culture such as propagation and advocation, issues in religion from both ends of Europe will be comparatively examined. Religions and religious culture tend spread separately from national or economic systems, even occasionally showing deviations. We would like to focus on the relationships between societies and the changing process of propagation and advocation by investigating the nature of both propagation and advocation from an examination of the paintings, sounds and written texts of Christianity and Buddhism. Simultaneously, we are planning to consider methodological issues such as how near we can come to answering physical and performance issues using the remaining paintings and musical instruments. Unlike written texts, it is simple to understand the detailed content of paintings, showing the advantages of symbolism and imagination. This quality has, as a result, made advocation unique. By actively capturing its relationship with life and ethnicity, in addition to the corresponding relations with scriptures and narrative, its characteristics will be examined. These characteristics appeal directly to human sensibilities, unlike the written word, or buildings, which remain in the almost the same form for future generations, and for just that reason, they can be emotional or even overwhelming symbolic forms as well as specific expressions of ideological space. On this occasion, we will take up for discussion materials appealing to human sensibilities that have spread out from the vast areas of Eurasia and Japan. |
| Session 3 "Music and Entertainment as Performance and the Various Forms of Performance Venues" |
If one focuses on the entertainment aspects of music and the performing arts, they can be seen as practical expressions of techniques employing the body in a certain format – i.e., performances. Because of their completeness as formal, physical techniques, music and the performing arts can, in principle, be spread and exchanged in terms of time and space taking leave from "venues" for performance such as opportunities, regions and communities. In fact, there are numerous examples of the spread and exchange of music and the performing arts in terms of time and space throughout Eurasia and Japan. However, once music and the performing arts were spread and began to be performed, the performance could not exist independently. The performance could be realized only in a web of close relationships with the specific "venues" for performance such as the opportunities, regions and communities. As a result, a variety of meanings, functions and symbols, including its political, economic, religious and social aspects, are expressed. In this session, music and the performing arts will be examined in connection with the various social, cultural, and historical events occurring around the "venue" of performance or its relationship with social, cultural and historical contexts. At the same time, in terms of the practice of hiding excessive or dissipated power inside them to break down the conditions of established "venues" or withdraw from them, a historical and dynamic observation of music and the performing arts will be sought. |
[Schedule]
- Opening address: KINDA Akihiro (Head of the National Institutes for the Humanities)
- Opening address: HIRAKAWA Minami (Head of the National Museum of Japanese History)
- Explanation of Objectives: TERADA Yoshitaka (National Museum of Ethnology)
- Public lecture: TOKUMARU Yoshihiko (Seitoku University, the Open University of Japan)
| Session 1 |
|---|
Report 1: Ian Hancock (University of Texas) Report 2: Svanibor Pettan (University of Ljubljana) Report 3: ITO Nobuhiro (Osaka University) |
| Session 2 |
Report 1: Isabelle Saint–Martin (École pratique des hautes etudes) Report 2: HARA Kiyoshi (Joshibi University of Art and Desigin) Report 3: KODATE Naomi (Toyo University) Report 4: ARAMI Hiroshi (Hiroshima University) |
| Session 3 |
Report 1: TOKUDA Kazuo (Gakushuin Women’s College) Report 2: Richard Wolf (Harvard University) Report 3: FUKUOKA Shota (National Museum of Ethnology) |
(2) International symposiums held by each research team
| (1) International symposium "The Movement of People and Exchange, Networks and Dynamics in the Culture of the North and South Border Regions of China" |
|---|
International symposium "The Movement of People and Exchange, Networks and Dynamics in the Culture of the North and South Border Regions of China" held by " Movements of Populations and Exchange in the Border Regions of North and South China and the Country’s Policies regarding these Movements (Exchange, Modern)" team (Team leader: Shigeyuki Tsukada) on September 2 and 3, 2008; a cooperative symposium with Yunnan University, Kunming in China: "The Construction of Networks among Multiple Ethnic Groups and Cultural Dynamics in the Border Regions of North and South China" funded by the Grants–in–Aid for Scientific Research A number of ethnic minorities live along the border regions of northern and southern China. In many cases, the same or very similar ethnic groups inhabit neighboring countries. These groups, living in multiple countries while maintaining their ethnic identities, are called "Cross–border Ethnic Groups". The purpose of this research is to reveal the movements, exchanges, network construction and culture dynamics of various ethnic groups Regarding these subjects, 19 researchers from Japan and China reported or made remarks using the latest materials from their respective points of view. Profound discussions were carried out regarding the movements and immigration phenomenon of ethnic groups crossing over the border, the effects of this on culture and identity, the reality of exchange among groups across borders, the networks among those groups and the most recent culture dynamics. As a result, many new findings were obtained, and the importance of research regarding "cross–border ethnic groups" and the necessity of analysis from multiple points of view was re–acknowledged. One of the biggest accomplishments was the realization of opportunities to have meetings between Japanese and Chinese researchers, conducting different research from different points of view, for cooperative discussions. This symposium has significant meaning for the further progress of research on cross–border ethnic groups. In addition, the results of this symposium were published as a collection of research papers by the publishing company of Yunnan University. |
| (2) International symposium (Head: Kyeungdal Cho) |
Schedule: September 10, 2008, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, The University of Social Science and Humanities Opening address and objectives (Kyeungdal Cho) Phan Huy Le (Professor, The University of Social Science and Humanities) Vo Zon Nin (Professor, The University of Social Science and Humanities) Nguyen Hai Keh (Professor, The University of Social Science and Humanities) |
| (3) International symposium (Head: Kyeungdal Cho) |
International symposium (Head: Kyeungdal Cho); held cooperatively with the Association for the Study of Popular History in Asia Schedule: November 29, Meiji University Lecture: Katsumi Fukaya Presentation of problems: Kyeungdal Cho Report:
Comments: ISHIDA Ken |
(3) Investigation and collection of documents and materials concerning Japan overseas (reclamation of new research resources)
[Emergency investigation of the documents and materials related to Siebold, owned by the Brandenstein family, and Japanese lacquer ware held in the collections of the State Museum of Ethnology, Munich] a cooperative investigation with Grants–in–Aid for Scientific Research "Restorative Research on ‘Japan – Siebold’s Attempts at Introduction’ " (Head: Masahide Miyasaka, Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University, 2008–2011)
As one of the initial aims of this "Exchange and Symbols" research project, the synthetic investigation of "Overseas materials and documents related to Japan in the 19th century" and the digitalization of these materials in cooperation with owner institutions or individuals has been considered to be essential. An example of this are the materials and documents collected in Japan and removed by Blomhoff, Fisscher, Siebold, Morse and others. The majority of them have been already examined by Japanese researchers or research groups several times. However, collection of the data and images for the entirety of the items and their subsequent release to researchers has yet to be realized due to relations with the owner institutions. Although there is no urgency in regards to the materials held in the collections of public institutions, those held by individuals require immediate digitalization or preservation of the saving after investigating the current status of the materials. This year, as a continuation of the previous year’s work, an investigation concerning the current condition of documents and materials related to Siebold and the capture of digital images of materials including maps, and historical materials related to foreign relations, or to his two sons, who maintained connections with Japan, owned by the Brandenstein family in the suburb of Schlüchtern progressed. In addition to this, a great number of Japanese lacquer ware objects including those brought by Siebold are held in collections by the State Museum of Ethnology Munich. However as a complete enumeration has yet to be performed, individual investigations and photography of each object were conducted. This procedure will be continued.
[Schedule]
| September 3–13Germany |
|---|
Examination the Von Brandenstein family, Schlüchtern Examination of Japanese lacquer ware owned by the State Museum of Ethnology Munich, Munich Examination of the Siebold Museum, Würzburg |
2007
Result
The overall configuration of this research project consists of eight branches of research, each with sub–themes related to the three common themes and which autonomously conduct research.
| 1. "Comparative Analysis of External Interactions and Cultural Acceptance in Ancient East Asia" |
|---|
| team (Team leader: SUGIYAMA Shinsaku, NMJH) |
| 2. "The Movement of Goods and Information in the Seas around Japan" |
| team (Team leader: SASAKI Shiro, NME) |
| 3. "Movements of Populations and Exchange in the Border Regions of North and South China and the Country’s Policies regarding these Movements" |
| team (Team leader: TSUKADA Shigeyuki, NME) |
| 4. "Comparative Analysis of Immigration History" |
| team (Team leader: IMAIZUMI Yumiko, Housei University, Visiting professor of NMJH) |
| 5. "Comparative–Historical Analysis of the Nation–State" |
| team (Team leader: Kyeungdal Cho, Chiba University, Visiting professor of NMJH) |
| 6. "The Nation–state in Terms of the Movements of Population" |
team (Team leader: TAKEZAWA Shoichiro, NME) |
| 7. "Image of Music, The Performing Arts and Exchange in Eurasia" |
team (Team leaders: TERADA Yoshitaka and SASAHARA Ryoji, NME) |
| 8. "Comparative Analysis in the Advocation of Culture" |
team (Team leader: HAYASHI Masahiko, Meiji University, Visiting professor of NMJH) |
Of the four team leaders, one is a faculty member of the NMJH and three of them are visiting professors at the NMJH.
The meetings of the administrative team act as a form of control and consolidation for the research project as a whole. The leaders and sub–leaders of each research branch are expected to participate in the meeting of the administrative team. First of all, a summary of the activities from these meetings are explained. The meetings of the administrative team were held a total of three times, planning overall budget allocations and the research for international symposiums. In addition, to consolidating the activities of each research branch, newsletters were published four times.
The accomplishments of the research project as a whole this year are described below.
(1) The third international symposium could be held (March 1 and 2, 2008).
"Why the Nation–state Now? – The Past, Present and Future of the Nation–state "
[Purpose]
The relativization of the nation–state has been argued for for years. It is clear that the nation–state was established in the modern age and it was developed in a non–random manner. At the time of the French Revolution, the reason for the development of the nation–state was the desire for it to take political power from the King and the aristocrats, and the bourgeoisies’ need to define the third estate, consisting of people from various levels of society and ethnicities, as a nation, insisting on their unity and irreducibility. From this point, France has been advocating the history, reality and eternity of the nation by giving birth to a political culture and state system. Subsequently, the nation–state has been an absolute model for modern states, forcing Asian and African countries to form themselves as nation–states.
While it is possible that the various political cultures and state systems could be copied and pasted as if every single country was qualified to form a nation–state. Nonetheless, the period of world history between the 19th and the early 20th Centuries is characterized not only by imperialized countries establishing nation–states, but also by the failures of these countries in forming the nation–state. The nation–state cannot be simply established through the actions of policy–makers. Furthermore, there are different characteristics in the political culture and state systems among even those countries which successfully established nation–states.
Needless to say, while the nation–state should be relativized, the system need not disappear immediately. On the contrary, movements toward the reproduction of the nation–state can be seen and are being reinforced as a reaction against globalization. The purpose of our symposium is to understand the complexities of world history by examining the historical conditions and the formation of the nation–state and the history of its development as well as predicting its future. We are looking for the participation of a number of people interested in this issue to infuse new life in to the discussion.
| The first session, "Changes in Traditional Societies and the Formation of the Nation–state" |
|---|
| The existence of traditional societies limits the formation of the nation–state. At the same time, once the nation–state has been formed, these traditional societies are forced to change. In this session, employing the examples of Japan, as one of the successful formation of the nation–state, and China, as one that tried hard to form the nation–state in its half–colonized situation, the aspects of both countries are planned to be reexamined. The comment is based on the example of Turkey’s successful formation of a nation–state at the western end of Asia. What aspects of the traditional societies will be preconditions for the nation–state and how will these aspects be altered? |
| The second session, "Empires and Nation–states" |
| The nation–states often have desire to be imperialize. The former nation–state of pre–war Japan presented a typical model of this. In contrast, some nation–states are brought into being after the dissolution of empires which consisted of multiethnic groups. Turkey is a good example of this case. In the Austria–Hungary Empire, with its double monarchy, nationalization progressed internally, but it maintained its imperial system until World War I. In this session, by comparing these three countries, and focusing on issues concerning the formation of culture, the relationships between empires and the nation–state will be examined. |
| The third session, "The Nation–state in Terms of the Movements of Population" |
| With the current progress of globalization, the mobility of individuals and groups of people is becoming more intense than ever before. In this session, taking this present phenomenon into consideration, the process of expressing exclusiveness by immigrants in the nation–state will be examined. Conversely, the examination of the formation of the nation through the incorporation of immigrants is another issue in this session. As historical examples for examination, the issues of immigrants in China, and North Korean residents in Japan have been selected. As an example of current issues, illegal immigrants in Europe will be discussed. |
| The fourth session, "Considering the Future of the Nation–state" |
| Having discussing the past and current situation of the nation–state in the previous three sessions, in this session, the future possibilities of the nation–state will be discussed. Yuzo Itagaki, one of the presenters will discuss the biases and issues in the nation–state by reviewing the Islamic world in the Middle–ages to deconstruct the concept of the nation–state based on modern Europe. The root of this concept is considered to be in the Islamic world in the Middle–age. Alain Touraine who is the leading expert on social movements in France will expand on the original concept of the new nation–state as an entity that is constantly remodeled through social activities. Shoichiro Takezawa will discuss the concept of cultural homogeneity as always existent in the nation–state as a legal fiction that is no longer possible. He also tries to explore the possibility of other fundamental reinforcements for the nation–state. In this session, through an examination of the major subjects of interest concerning the nation–state, such as the developmental history of the nation–state, the relationships between politics and religion in the nation–state, and the relationships between the state and society, the future of the nation–state will be considered. |
[Schedule]
- Opening Address: MATSUZONO Makio (National Museum of Ethnology)
- Objectives: Kyeungdal Cho
- Keynote Lecture: MINAMIZUKA Shingo (Housei University)
| The First Session |
|---|
Report (1) SUDA Tsutomu (Waseda University) Report (2) Xinzhong Yu (Nankai University, China) ★ Comments (1) Asum Karamerurioru (Bogazici University, Turkey) ★ Moderator: WAKAO Masaki |
| The Second Session |
Report (3) OZAWA Hiroaki (Chiba University) Report (4) Zafel Ienal (Bogazici University, Turkey) ★ Report (5) TAKAGI Hiroshi (Kyoto University) Comments (2) Zhuo Li (Nankai University, China) Comments (3) HARA Kiyoshi (Joshibi University of Art and Desigin) Moderator: NOBAYASHI Atsushi |
| The Third Session |
Report (6) YAMADA Masaru (Chiba University) Report (7) MIYAMOTO Masaaki (Kyoto Human Rights Research Institute) Report (8) Emmanuel Terray (Social Anthropology)★ Comments (4) OONO Akira (Haiying Yang) (Shizuoka University) Comments (5) ONISHI Hideyuki (Research Institute of Humanity and Nature) Moderator: MORI Akiko |
| The Fourth Session |
Report (9) TAKEZAWA Shoichiro (National Museum of Ethnology) Report (10) ITAGAKI Yuzo (University of Tokyo) Report (11) Alain Touraine (Professor, School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences, France) Comments (6) HIROSE Kazuo (National Museum of Ethnology) Comments (7) USUKI Akira (Japan Women's University) ★ Moderator: FUKUOKA Shota Closing Remarks: NAGANO Yasuhiko (National Institutes for the Humanities) |
(2) Cooperative workshops
During the year, several teams were able to conduct cooperative workshops and research meetings with other teams.
| (1) Cooperative workshop with the "Movements of Populations and Exchange in the Border Regions of North and South China and the Country’s Policies regarding these Movements" team (Team leader: Shigeyuki Tsukada) and the "Comparative Analysis of Immigration History" team (Team leader: Yumiko Imaizumi) |
|---|
Date: November 10 (Saturday) at 1:30 to 6:30 pm, 2007 Place: Housei University, Ichigaya–Campus, Boissonade Tower 7th floor Rm. 0705 Report 1: Tien–shi Chen Comment 1: KIMURA Mizuka Report 2: YANAGISAWA Asobu Comment 2: Shisai Sou Discussion |
| (2) Cooperative workshop with the "Images of music, the performing arts and exchange in Eurasia" team and the "Comparative Analysis of Immigration History" team |
Date: December 22 (Saturday), 2007 Place: Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts, General Education Building (Ippan Kyouyou Tou) Rm. 103 |
| (3) Cooperative workshop with "Analysis of Immigration History" team and "The Nation–state in Terms of the Movements of Population" team |
| Presenter: In–Ja Lee, MIYAMOTO Masaaki |
(3) Investigation and collection of documents and materials concerning Japan overseas (reclamation of new research resources)
[Documents and materials related to Siebold, owned by the Brandenstein family]
This project was conducted in cooperation with the "Basic Analysis Regarding the Systematic Arrangement and Resource Preservation of Documents and Materials Related to Siebold, Owned by the Von Brandenstein family" group (Leader: Masahide Miyasaka, Professor of Nagasaki Junshin Catholic University; Research Grant from Fukutake Science & Culture Foundation in 2007.)
As one of the initial aims of this "Exchange and Symbols" research project, the synthetic investigation of "Overseas materials and documents related to Japan in the 19th century" and the digitalization of these materials in cooperation with owner institutions or individuals has been considered to be essential. An example of this are the materials and documents collected in Japan and removed by Blomhoff, Fisscher, Siebold, Morse and others. The majority of them have been already examined by Japanese researchers or research groups several times. However, the collection of data and images for the entirety of the items and their subsequent release to researchers have yet to be realized due to relations with the owner institutions. Although there is no urgency in regards to the materials held in the collections of public institutions, those held by individuals require immediate digitalization or preservation of the saving after investigating the current status of the materials. At this time, an investigation of the current status and a portion of the digital images capturing the documents and materials related to Siebold owned by the Brandenstein family in the suburb of Schlüchtern were conducted. The city of Nagasaki has taken pictures of most of them using microfilm. We first considered the digitalization of those films. However, upon examination of the handwritten documents by Siebold found in the films, we found that the inks had started to fade and the old microfilms were not able to express density of the color and rubric. Mr. Masahide Miyasaka who planned the entirety of this investigation mentioned that there are new materials but their total amount remains unknown. Since this was just a "trial", materials mainly for the purpose of use for exhibitions at the NMJH were photographed. We believe with an eye towards long–term planning, the preservation, restoration and digitalization of the documents and materials needs to be carried out in cooperation with the owners.
On the other hand, since there are also some collections of materials related to Japan in Bremen, Germany, together with a renewal of the exhibition, an investigation of those materials was conducted at the same time. One seriously damaged picture scroll from 1825 (Sho Village and Takagi Village, located in the Gamo District in Goshu (Omi) Province) requiring immediate restoration was able to be captured as high quality digital images.
[Schedule]
| September 9 –17 |
|---|
Investigation of the von Brandenstein family in Schlüchtern , Germany Investigation of the materials collected by the first curator of the Overseas Museum, Shauinstrant in Bremen, Germany |
2006
Progress
In 2005, with the administrative team at the center, the 8 research teams exerted themselves in increasing the amount of research whose accomplishments could be shared by all the teams in the project by emphasizing information exchanges and research interactions. First of all, the 8 teams were integrated under the three themes (A. "Exchange": Acceptance and transformation of culture through the movement of people and goods, and a re–examination of cultural symbols; B. "Systems of Authority": Not only systems of authority but the movements of people are taken into account in comparisons of the formational processes of the nation–state, C. "Symbols": A re–examination of material culture in terms of cultural symbols). Within these categories, A. "Exchange" was divided into two teams consisting of the pre–modern and modern periods. The point of the research approaches this year was the reconfiguration of the administrative team, in that we increased the members to 20 by including the representatives from each team in addition to the eight original research members from the NMJH and the NME. This action aims to make the meetings of the administrative team also serve as opportunities for discussions on the direction of the research project as a whole. The results from the administrative team meetings and research activities of each team were published in the form of newsletters and sent to all the members in each case in order to develop greater common understanding among the members as a group. A report on all of the activities of the year was provided to the entire membership in the last newsletter of the year as well.
Nevertheless, along with these steps, we decided to respect the style of research activities, based on the 8 teams and on small themes, in regards to the commonly conducted research activities, such as workshops, overseas studies and research exchange activities, in order to increase efficiency and the intensity of the discussions. Therefore, the activity reports collected from each team are listed after being laid out in this activity report. We believed that the vigorous research and investigative activities of each team would energize the entire research project. In addition, a key to the success of the overall research is the method of organizing these positive approaches in each of the teams. Detailed documenting of the contents of research funded from public resources is considered to be an obligation for researchers conducting this type of cooperative research. After summarizing the progress of the overall research project, the progress of each team’s research is also listed below.
First off, it was possible to hold the originally planned domestic workshops regarding each theme. However, participation at each workshop was an average of 60% of all members, suggesting scheduling issues.
Second, international symposiums were planned to be held twice this year in Korea. In fact, a mini–symposium from December 21 to 23 was held in Korea. Holding mini–symposiums and workshops at excavation sites or concerning materials at local sites is one of the initial characteristics of this research project that we consider to have been realized.
Third, this year, one of our objectives was to set up opportunities for carrying out research exchanges with local researchers in overseas investigations. When we carried out research in a broad area of northeastern China between October 24 and 31, research exchanges, including reports on the latest excavation progress, were carried out with the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Liaoning Province. A study was conducted in Austria between October 30 and November 3, and a symposium was held at the Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance. The results of this study will be published as a booklet at the end of February. From December 21 to 24, a workshop concerning the advocation of culture in Taiwan was held at the Southern Taiwan University of Technology. As can be seen here, interactions and exchanges with local researchers were carried out as much as possible. Other overseas investigations conducted on individual bases can be seen in each team’s progress report. Moreover, there was an opportunity to receive four researchers from Turkey because of the invitation from Chiba University. Since their research theme was closely related to that of the "Comparative–Historical Analysis of the Nation–State" research team in the "systems of authority" theme and the researcher who planned this invitation was a member our research project, a research meeting was held, and the decision to hold a cooperative international workshop was made. Preprints and posters have already been cooperatively developed, and the report of this investigation is planned for publication next year.
Fourth, the most notable event of this year was that of the conference held with Nankai University in Tianjin, China which focused on the planning needed for conducting research exchanges and the holding of an international symposium together (March 15 and 16). That conference was the first meeting that most of the teams participated in. This conference was considered to be a good step towards the symposium planned for next year to develop those research themes that can be held in common by each of the teams.
The progress of the research based in the NMJH is listed by themes and described below.
A–1 [Exchange] (pre–modern)
[Small theme 1. Comparative Analysis of External Interactions and Cultural Acceptance in Ancient East Asia]
We held four workshops. The strong point of these workshops was the international exchanges fostered by the participation of Korean and Chinese researchers. We also had opportunities for research exchanges through our visits to Korea and China.
| (1) First workshop (Comparative Analysis of the External Interactions of ‘Wa’ and Cultural Acceptance from Burial Traditions in the 6th Century), October 21 to 24 |
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| For the study of structural remains and relics related to immigration, investigation and examination of ancient tombs and excavated items were carried out in Ohtsu–shi, Shiga and Wakasa–cho, Obama–shi, Fukui. In addition to these activities, discussions concerning the research presentations of Mrs. Katsuhiro Hanada, Masahiko Yoshimizu and Teruyo Nakatsukasa were conducted (participants: 10 from Japan, 6 from Korea). |
| (2) Second workshop (The International Situation in the ’Sangokushi’ Gisho–Tohi–Den), October 24 to 31 Venues: Heilongjiang Province, Jilin Province and Liaoning Province in China |
| Study on the various north–east Asian countries and regions recorded in ’Sangokushi’ Gisho–Tohi–Den was undertaken. During this time, structural remains and relics in the Yilou, Buyeo, Goguryeo, Liao–tung districts as well as the Xuantu district as described in Tohi–Den were the focus of the studies. In particular the structural remains of FongLin, Tucheng, Youtoreidojyo (Yilou–Jin), Tongren (Yilou), and Chyuko Tucheng (Jin) in North East China’s Heilongjiang Province, of Tondansanjyo (Buyeo), and the Yongdam mountain fortress (Goguryeo) in Jilin Province, and of Fushun Genpagunji (Han), Kouusannjyo, Sekabogun (Goguryeo), Eiryogenbagunji (Han) and Eijyoshibo (Liao–tung Commandery of Han Wei) in Liaoning Province were reconnoitered. Relics related to these were examined in the Jiamusi Museum, the Tieling Museum, the Museum of Liaoning Province and the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Liaoning Province. The NMJH has recently been conducting research exchanges with the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Liaoning Province. On this trip, our researchers also carried out research exchange activities regarding the latest excavations in Liaoning Province at the institution (Participants; 11 from Japan, 2 from Korea). |
| (3) Third workshop (Comparative Analysis of the External Interactions of ‘Wa’ and Cultural Acceptance from Burial Traditions in the 6th Century), December 21 to 23 |
| A mini symposium with researchers from local institutions as well as an examination of burial sites and articles unearthed in ancient tombs from the 5th and 6th centuries was held, mainly in Gwangju, Jeollanam–do, Korea. In this mini symposium, Mrs. Myeong–Jo Son, Atsushi Nito, Eitetsu Lee and Hyun–Ju Seo held discussions at the Funan Cultural Properties Research Institute. |
| (4) Fourth workshop (Comparative Analysis of the External Interactions of ‘Wa’ and Cultural Acceptance from Burial Traditions in the 6th Century), February 13 (Tuesday) to 15 (Thursday). |
| In Fukuoka and Kumamoto prefectures, ancient burial mounds, corridor–style stone chambers and excavated items from the 5th and 6th centuries were studied. Corridor–style stone chambers and burial accessories in those areas which show the closest similarity to keyhole–shaped tomb mounds and corridor–style stone chambers built in Korea were examined. Thereafter, a workshop and a mini symposium with local researchers in addition to the researchers from Japan and Korea were held to discuss the background and the reality of exchange. |
[Small theme 2. The Movement of Goods and Information in the Seas around Japan]
(This section has been omitted.)
A–2 [Exchange] (modern)
[Small Theme 1. Movements of Populations and Exchange in the Border Regions of North and South China and the Country’s Policies regarding these Movements]
(This section has been omitted.)
[Small Theme 2. Comparative Analysis of Immigration History]
The workshops and investigations held during this year were primarily concerned with the status of materials and focused on the confirmation of the status of the materials related to immigration history and the search for a new framework concerning immigrant research. In the course of the investigation on the status of materials, materials related to emigrants to the United States and the northern development were the primary focus of our efforts. In regards to the materials concerning the United States, research activities were shared among the members, in consideration of work efficiency. Specifically, workshops and investigations in material status were conducted as below.
(1) A workshop to summarize the research activities of the last year, and confirm the policies of the present year and share the status of our mutual research was held at the NMJH in April.
(2) In July, a workshop on the northern development was held as well as an investigation into material status was conducted in Hokkaido. On this occasion, research exchanges were undertaken with the person in charge of matters concerning material status, and a workshop was held with researchers there
(3) Four members of the cooperative research team were sent to the United States (Los Angeles and Washington D.C.) to for the purpose of exchanging research concerning the progress of research on immigration history and the status of materials, and to investigate materials. In addition to that, interviews with second generation immigrants were conducted in August.
(4) In September, one member of the cooperative research team was sent to the University of Hawaii to conduct a research exchange with local researchers concerning material status and the progress of research on Japanese immigrants, as well as to collect some materials.
(5) A summary of the workshops and research exchanges from July to September was conducted at the NMJH in December.
(6) In March, two members of the cooperative research team were sent to the United States (Seattle and Los Angeles) to conduct research exchanges to enable further progress on the research achievements of August.
B [Systems of Authority]
[Small Theme 1. Comparative–Historical Analysis of the Nation–State]
Local investigations were carried out and an international symposium was held in Austria, and an international research conference was held in Chiba University, in addition to the 4 other workshop held. In March, the team is planning to participate in a research exchange with Nankai University in Tianjin, China.
| (1) First workshop, June 10, 2006Meiji University |
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Report (1) OZAWA Hiroaki Report (2) OGAWARA Hiroyuki |
| (2) Second workshop September 2, 2006Tokyo National Museum and Hongou Gakushi Kaikan |
| (3) Historical investigation of cities in Austria and the symposium, October 30 – November 3, 2006 |
Investigations in Vienna and Eisenstadt were conducted. The members visited the Documentation Centre of Austrian Resistance in Vienna to hold a symposium with researchers from that institution on November 2. The result will be published as a booklet at the end of February.
Discussion |
| (4) Third workshop, December 2 and 9, 2006Meiji University |
| Summary of the investigations in Austria and the symposium held there, and a preliminary meeting concerning the international symposium in January |
| (5) International Workshop "New Approaches to the Nineteenth–Century Middle East and the Balkans: The Construction of the Modern Ottoman State", January 13 and 14, 2007Chiba University |
| This symposium was planned primarily by Mr. Jun Akiba, a member of our research team, taking advantage of the opportunity provided by the visit of four researchers from Turkey. This was co–organized with the Division of Historical Studies, Faculty of Letters, Chiba University. Details are described in the separately printed summaries. On that day, five people from the team [Small theme, Comparative–Historical Analysis of the Nation–State] participated in the symposium. The total number of participants consisted of 25 Japanese and 8 international researchers. |
[Small theme 2. The Nation–state in Terms of the Movements of Population]
(This section has been omitted.)
C [Symbols]
[Small theme 1. Images of Music, the Performing Arts and Exchange in Eurasia]
(This section was omitted.)
[Small theme 2. Comparative Analysis in the Advocation of Culture]
| (1) First workshop April 7–9 |
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| A workshop was held based on the investigations in Mandara–ji (Nagoya–shi and others) |
| (2) Second workshop May 13–15 <<Meiji University>> |
| This workshop was co–hosted with the International Kumano Society. |
| (3) Third workshop, June 3 <<Meiji University>> |
| This workshop was co–hosted with the Etoki (illustration) study group. |
| (4) Fourth workshop August 4–6 <<Tadamimachi town hall>> |
∗Mr. Ruppert’s specialty is the social history of Japanese Buddhism. In particular, he is quite knowledgeable about Shari Shinko. In this report, a detailed examination concerning the current progress in the history of Japanese Buddhism was conducted by him. At this event, the necessity of defining religions as cultural movements in society and in their era was made clear, in addition to the development of religious principles. Through cooperation on research in the history of religions and religious literature (in this cooperative research, we have been insisting that both disciplines should be combined and be treated as the advocation of culture), further progress in the research will be expected after the reports and discussions. ∗Ms. Soo Hyun Kim specializes in the comparative history of Korean and Japanese Buddhist paintings. In particular, she is known for her research concerning images of the Deity of Mercy. In this report, a detailed examination of the images of the Deity of Mercy remaining in Korea and Japan, as well as various Buddhas, bodhisattvas, shoten and Gods related to the Deity of Mercy was conducted, suggesting the possibility of an international comparative evaluation of advocation at the level of paintings. She also emphasized that an investigation focusing on the position of paintings in temples arrangements, rites and observances is essential, specifically indicating subjects for new or further research |
| (5) Fifth workshop, September 30NMJH |
∗While carrying out examinations of the materials related to advocation (Buddhism) in the possession of the NMJH from ancient times to the present, the spread and importance of advocation in pre–modern society was confirmed. Moreover, as the research progresses, collection of material from new points of view will become necessary. Thus, the reporting of research accomplishments through the exhibition of the materials owned by the NMJH was suggested in the discussion, as well as aggressively using the opportunity for cooperative exhibitions. |
| (6) International workshop, December 21 –24Southern Taiwan University of Technology in Taiwan |
| Workshop and exploratory investigations on the advocation of culture in Taiwan |
| (7) Publication of the report |
| The report of the "Illustration (Etoki) Summit" held at the end of the previous year was published in September (this report was supposed to be published earlier). |
| (8) Other work |
| The digitalizing process for the images owned by the Etoki (illustration) study group is continuing. In the future, analysis of the animated images and their application in research are planned, as well as an exhibition. |
3. Research accomplishments in this year
As mentioned above, the planned workshops and investigations of each team were smoothly carried out. The accomplishments of each team are described below. Regarding specific accomplishments, documentation of the symposium held at the NME at the end of the previous year, "Eurasia and Japan: the Status quo and Issues in 'Exchange and Symbols'" was published in addition to the documentation of the mini–symposium in Austria. Records of the workshops and investigations carried out by each team could be collected by the administrative team. In addition, in the meeting of the administrative team, in regards to the contents of this year’s planned symposiums, discussions concerning methods of interaction between each team’s research topics and "exchange" as well as on the reports of each team could be conducted. Although further discussion will be needed, a clue to understanding, in terms of relationships among three themes (exchange, systems of authority and symbols) that were planned at the beginning of this year, was obtained through the publication of a newsletter and the collection of the reports on the workshops and investigations. In this year’s symposium "The Formation and Recognition of Boundaries – a View of Mobility", we tried to connect the research from all of the teams with the common theme, "exchange" and by using "the mobility of people" as our keyword.
"Since ancient times, the movement of people has brought with it various forms of exchange, changing societies all over the world to form history. History and anthropology have accumulated numerous accomplishments by clarifying the reality of these movements from their respective points of view while chasing these changes. These two areas of study have been researching the same "movements of people" and the phenomena caused by these movements, however a variety of images have been presented from the different viewpoints inherent in their analyses. Moreover, these differences have been accentuated by the background (period) and the context (culture), resulting in difficulties in comparative examinations by both disciplines. In this project, setting the behavior "movement," which supported the formation of and changes in Eurasia, as our subject, we are seeking a deeper understanding of the theory of "exchange and symbols" through comparative examinations from the respective points of view.
We encompassing this elusive phenomena "movement" from two points of view, "the results of its various aspects" and "the reasons for its various aspects", establishing two sessions, "The Dynamics of Movement" and "Movement and Identity". In each session, comparisons going beyond regions and times and discussions which functionally capture borders and regions are carried out with the aim of understanding the formation and recognition of borders.
[Session I "The Dynamics of Movement"]
Considering the phenomenon "movement" as the result or goal, the process of the phenomenon "movement" is examined by focusing on the dynamics causing "movement". Through the examples of "ancient immigrants", "marine trading peoples in the middle ages and early modern ages" and "modern collective emigration", the spatial relationships of migratory populations and the various groups related to them as well as their geographic environments will be brought to light, and the reality of "movement" will be understood in terms of the relationships between these groups and various forms of authority, such as political restrictions and economic discrepancies. After the various configurations of "movement" are broken down into patterns and their dynamics are examined, the mechanism of the phenomenon, "movement" are to be intensely examined.
[Session II "Movement and Identity"]
Encompassing "movement" as a cause and an origin, the formation processes of the various phenomena caused by "movement" are evaluated. When a particular group is active in another region, assimilation with the local population or the exposure of differences occur. Depending on the nature of the group, the form of the movement and the local characteristics of the region, these vectors are determined. One of the indices for this trend is an emphasis on national identity. The phenomena wherein the origins of a group are revealed by its material culture or customary behaviors can be observed in a great number of cases. In these cases, a comparative examination taking into consideration the background, factors and formation process of each group will be conducted. Our goal is to deepen the discussion of changes in nation and ethnic groups, nation and religion, and generation and identity based on the identity of emigrant population."
Needless to say, our approach is just one attempt to answer the question of how one might go about investigating the vast subject that is "Eurasia and Japan". However, in the midst of the great shifts taking place in the conventional borders separating academic fields such as archeology, history, cultural anthropology and ethnology, we can foresee an improvement in the ability to conduct common discussions (in the degree of common "language", "understanding" or "image"). Although a certain degree of scope must be established, opportunities to conduct discussions on the problems generated by the "movement of people" which are related to the research areas of each individual and which go beyond the regions, nations and periods involved, could be provided. The invisible accomplishments coming as a result of conducting research through the process of research exchanges with local investigations and researchers at the assigned area of each team by the four research teams involved with "exchange" for the last two years is reflected in this year.
The research accomplishments of each team based at the NMJH are presented below.
A–1 [Exchange] (pre–modern)
[Small theme 1. Comparative Analysis of External Interactions and Cultural Acceptance in Ancient East Asia]
In the first workshop, one of the outstanding accomplishments was the discovery that although there are structural remains in Korea with a similar basic construction as the corridor–style stone chambers in Otsu–shi, the remains of the ondols and large wall buildings, as well as the details of the construction and the building design were different. On the other hand, there was no evidence of habitation by immigrants in the Wakasa area, providing the team with the knowledge that the active oversea activities of the ancient local ruling families were responsible for the presence of foreign goods.
In the second workshop, we affirmed that there is an ongoing investigation regarding the history of the Yilou, Buyeo and Okjeo in ’Sangokushi’ Gisho–Tohi–Den at the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology of Heilongjiang Province and the Jiamusi Museum. Through surveys, a comparison of the development in the various countries of the northern and eastern regions of "Tohi–Den" and Wa–koku (Yayoi culture) was conducted. In addition, during the exploration of the structural remains in the area of the Heilongjiang river basin on the border of China and Russia, the relationships between the borders that existed among the historical countries and ethnic groups, and the current borders were considered. Last year (2005), remains related to Handen, Saiden, Goguryeoden, Rakurotaihogun and in the areas of Rimjin–gang and the Han–gang basin were examined. It was of great importance to explore the area of the Heilongjiang (Amur) river basin that once lay at the remote north–east border of "Tohi".
On the other hand, some issues were also made apparent. To apprehend the overall picture of the international environment in "Tohi–Den", further investigations and fieldwork will be needed. Broad, yet to be covered regions have been left to foreign researchers. For the next year, areas of investigation will be determined based on the accomplishments of each cooperative research member in the previous fieldwork.
"Wa" type Keyhole–shaped tomb mounds were built in Korea (the site of the third workshop) and the corridor–style stone chambers constructed in the mounds are similar to the architecture of stone chambers in Kyushyu. In addition, clay figurines and wooden goods were placed in the mounds, suggesting activities of immigrants from "Wa". A workshop and mini–symposium were held by local researchers in addition to the Korean and Japanese researchers, and beneficial ideas were obtained after discussions concerning the actual conditions of the exchanges and their background.
Kyushu (the site of the fourth workshop) is an indispensable area for studying exchanges with the Korean Peninsula. In this mini–symposium, a comparative analysis of the results obtained from the exploration of the burial mounds and items excavated in Kyushu showing similarities with those of the Korean Peninsula, and a research presentation given by Fumio Kojyo entitled "Corridor–style Stone Chambers in Higo – Relationships with Corridor–style Stone Chambers on the Korean Peninsula" served as effective references in for future research activities.
[Small theme 2. The Movement of Goods and Information in the Seas around Japan]
(This section was omitted.)
A–2 [Exchange] (modern)
[Small theme 1. Movements of Populations and Exchange in the Border Regions of North and South China and the Country’s Policies regarding these Movements]
(This section was omitted.)
[Small theme 2. Comparative Analysis of Immigration History]
We took part in a workshop held in Hokkaido in July for the purposes of a research meeting involving local researchers and an investigation of the status of material concerning northern development. Research exchanges concerning the status of materials with the person in charge of matters concerning materials and document were carried out. On this trip, it was clarified that immigration to Hokkaido was a prototype for overseas immigration, and that Hokkaido was the center of the mobilization of Korean people during the war. The importance of linking together each areas’ locally held historical immigration research and clues presented as to methods of connecting each area’s research were the workshop. It was also confirmed that research on immigration to the Russian Far East has not been sufficiently carried out, indicating the necessity of further study in this area.
Through the process of investigating the status of each specific group of materials, an overall picture of the documents and materials was unveiled. Simultaneously, the discovery that some important documents included in the materials at the Northern History Museum and in the Archives of Hokkaido that are generally excluded from research in American immigrant studies revealed that research projects on immigration concerning each specific area, such as "Hokkaido", "Korea" and "America" need to interact with each other in terms of available documents and materials, showing complete agreement with the objective of this cooperative research.
In addition, in regards to immigrants in North America, since the relevant materials and documents are widely dispersed in a variety of locations, we were only able to obtain a broad view of their movement. However, a strong positive result of these investigations was that we were able to begin building up close contacts with the owners of the documents and materials, indicating a possibility of cooperative exhibition in future. The visit of our research members to the United States at the end of this year focused on discovering the possibility of holding such exhibitions in addition to the confirmation of material status and research exchanges. Regardless of the form of future exhibitions (cooperative or NMJH only), foreseeing the possibility of conducting cooperative activities with international researchers in an exhibition is a positive sign for the cooperative research in the National Institutes for the Humanities.
B [Systems of Authority]
[Small theme 1, Comparative–Historical Analysis of the Nation–state]
Through the means of a comparison of eastern and western imperial countries, the fact that even in such imperial countries, some ethnic groups which make up part of those countries hold the desire to transform them into nation–states was first revealed in the symposium, held from the end of October to the early November in Austria. These same results were confirmed in the international symposium held with Turkish researchers in January, 2007. The details of these accomplishments will be available in a booklet at the end of this year.
[Small theme 2, The Nation–state in Terms of the Movements of Population]
(This section has been omitted.)
C [Symbols]
[Small theme 1, Images of music, the performing arts and exchange in Eurasia]
(This section has been omitted.)
[Small theme 2. Comparative Analysis in the Advocation of Culture]
(1) When presentations on the advocation of culture and centering on the performing arts were given at Meiji University and other places, we helped provide academic knowledge and other forms of support for them.
(2) In August, multidirectional methods for research on the advocation of culture were examined from the viewpoints of paintings, the performing arts, literature and religion. The necessity for international transmission of the research was affirmed through the invitation of American and Korean researchers.
(3) In particular, the research based on the documents which concern the sacred teaching in Aizu between the end of medieval period and the early modern period is important in our quest for understanding the phases of advocation, emphasizing the necessity of workshops and studies for the purpose of fabricating a catalogue.
(4) In November, the materials owned by NMJH were transversely examined from the viewpoint of advocating culture, suggesting the possibility and effectiveness of the preparations for a cooperative exhibition.
(5) Throughout the year, the search for new research methods to accompany the digitalization of the animated image material has been carried out. Discussions on a spatial theory of advocation that functions collectively with the animated images, recordings and paintings have been deepened.
(6) In December, an international workshop was held in Taiwan for the discussion of common subjects in the research on the advocation of culture being undertaken in Eurasia and Japan. The findings of this workshop were positively affirmed and we are planning to hold a workshop larger than this year’s, including three countries, Japan, China and Korea, next year.
