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Japanese Philosophy: A Sourcebook
With Japanese Philosophy: A Sourcebook, readers of English can now access in a single volume the richness and diversity of Japanese philosophy as it has developed throughout history. Leading scholars in the field have translated selections from the writings of more than a hundred philosophical thinkers from all eras and schools of thought, many of them available in English for the first time.
The Sourcebook editors have set out to represent the entire Japanese philosophical tradition--not only the broad spectrum of academic philosophy dating from the introduction of Western philosophy in the latter part of the nineteenth century, but also the philosophical ideas of major Japanese traditions of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto. The philosophical significance of each tradition is laid out in an extensive overview, and each selection is accompanied by a brief biographical sketch of its author and helpful information on placing the work in its proper context. The bulk of the supporting material, which comprises nearly a quarter of the volume, is given to original interpretive essays on topics not explicitly covered in other chapters: cultural identity, samurai thought, women philosophers, aesthetics, bioethics.
An introductory chapter provides a historical overview of Japanese philosophy and a discussion of the Japanese debate over defining the idea of philosophy, both of which help explain the rationale behind the design of the Sourcebook. An exhaustive glossary of technical terminology, a chronology of authors, and a thematic index are appended. Specialists will find information related to original sources and sinographs for Japanese names and terms in a comprehensive bibliography and general index.
Handsomely presented and clearly organized for ease of use, Japanese Philosophy: A Sourcebook will be a cornerstone in Japanese studies for decades to come. It will be an essential reference for anyone interested in traditional or contemporary Japanese culture and the way it has shaped and been shaped by its great thinkers over the centuries.
The Sourcebook editors have set out to represent the entire Japanese philosophical tradition--not only the broad spectrum of academic philosophy dating from the introduction of Western philosophy in the latter part of the nineteenth century, but also the philosophical ideas of major Japanese traditions of Buddhism, Confucianism, and Shinto. The philosophical significance of each tradition is laid out in an extensive overview, and each selection is accompanied by a brief biographical sketch of its author and helpful information on placing the work in its proper context. The bulk of the supporting material, which comprises nearly a quarter of the volume, is given to original interpretive essays on topics not explicitly covered in other chapters: cultural identity, samurai thought, women philosophers, aesthetics, bioethics.
An introductory chapter provides a historical overview of Japanese philosophy and a discussion of the Japanese debate over defining the idea of philosophy, both of which help explain the rationale behind the design of the Sourcebook. An exhaustive glossary of technical terminology, a chronology of authors, and a thematic index are appended. Specialists will find information related to original sources and sinographs for Japanese names and terms in a comprehensive bibliography and general index.
Handsomely presented and clearly organized for ease of use, Japanese Philosophy: A Sourcebook will be a cornerstone in Japanese studies for decades to come. It will be an essential reference for anyone interested in traditional or contemporary Japanese culture and the way it has shaped and been shaped by its great thinkers over the centuries.
1376 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 29, 2011
This book is a must-have for any serious student of Japanese Studies, who wishes to understand not only what has happened, but also why. And why not for all serious students of philosophy. Years of work by a large number of leading specialists have finally brought to us a collection of translations and introductory essays that reach from the earliest manifestations of philosophical thought in Japan to the 20th century, carefully interrelating all periods and strands of thought. It is not a book to read through from the beginning to the end, but one to keep on your desk and come back to once in a while. An achievement not likely to be surpassed during our lifetimes.
May 10, 2018
Don't be like me who tried to read this book cover to cover because you will get sick quickly and will put it on hold forever. Approach this book like you would approach an encyclopedia. Pick a school of thought you want to learn for a day and then, rest. Do this slowly and slowly until you have read it all. You will forget the entries and its details but that's okay. Book like this is really for constant re-reading since it is a sourcebook after all.
For the content itself, i love it. It is understandable. It makes you want to read more about the thoughts featured in this. Thankfully, there's a comprehensive bibliography. It also contained glossary for difficult terms at the back. Don't be like me who did not look at the glossary for months (lol).
This is awards-worthy effort from the same person who brought Remembering the Kanji.
For the content itself, i love it. It is understandable. It makes you want to read more about the thoughts featured in this. Thankfully, there's a comprehensive bibliography. It also contained glossary for difficult terms at the back. Don't be like me who did not look at the glossary for months (lol).
This is awards-worthy effort from the same person who brought Remembering the Kanji.
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February 1, 2013Winner of the 2013 Outstanding Reference Sources Award.
For the complete list of 2013 Outstanding Reference Sources please go to the RUSA Awards page.
For the complete list of 2013 Outstanding Reference Sources please go to the RUSA Awards page.
Read
December 15, 2025A strong, encyclopedic text collecting the writings of over a hundred Japanese philosophers, if my count is right. Not something to read cover to cover, but it provides solid overviews of each theme alongside summaries of most of the thinkers, which are worth reading before deciding which texts to read more fully.
January 26, 2014
Amazing!! Not just about philosophy but about life!!
Want to read
April 19, 2019“The Pure Land Tradition: Overview” [pages 235-241]
“Shinran” [249-259]
Kiyozawa Manshi, “Morality and Religion,”
“Shinran” [249-259]
Kiyozawa Manshi, “Morality and Religion,”
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews