Have you considered that the final resting place of a philosopher could be a National Historic Site? Here, at Chōshō-ji Temple in Mita Tokyo lies Ogyu Sorai’s Tomb. It marks the grave of one of Japan’s most influential Confucian scholars.
Ogyu Sorai lived from 1666 to 1728. He served during the Edo period. Sorai wasn’t just a philosopher. He was also a historian, philologist, and translator. His teachings focused on applying Confucianism to government and social order. He saw the failings of the Tokugawa shogunate. He also criticized the culture of mercantilism. Old institutions had grown weak through extravagance.
Sorai rejected Neo-Confucianism’s strict moralism. He turned to ancient works for guidance. Emotions, he believed, should be expressed. This is why he nurtured Chinese literature in Japan. Sorai attracted many followers. His teachings created the Sorai school. It became a powerful force in Confucian scholarship.
Born in Edo, Sorai was the son of a samurai physician. His father served Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. The future daimyō of Tatebayashi Domain. Sorai studied Neo-Confucianism under Hayashi Gahō and Hayashi Hōkō. In 1679, his father was exiled. He had angered Tsunayoshi. Sorai continued his studies in a rural village. Now Mobara in Chiba. For 13 years, he studied Chinese classics, Japanese texts and Buddhist scriptures. These studies shaped his philosophy.
In 1692, Sorai’s father was pardoned. The family returned to Edo. Sorai opened a school near Zōjō-ji temple. He taught Chinese classics. In 1696, he joined Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu’s service. Yoshiyasu was a senior councillor to Shōgun Tokugawa Tsunayoshi. Sorai advised Yoshiyasu on political issues in Kawagoe. Later, he received an income of 500 koku. He continued advising Yoshiyasu in Edo.
One issue was the Akō vendetta. Forty-seven rōnin avenged their lord by killing Kira Yoshinaka in 1702. Many praised the rōnin for their loyalty. Sorai disagreed. He said they should commit seppuku. Their actions were undeniably a capital offense. The rule of law must be impartial.
In 1705, Yoshiyasu became daimyō of Kōfu Domain. Sorai remained in Edo. In 1706, he visited Kai Province at Yoshiyasu’s request. He wrote a travelogue about the journey. In 1709, Tsunayoshi died. Yanagisawa Yoshiyasu fell from favor. Sorai left his service. He moved to Nihonbashi. He opened a private school called the Kenenjuku. Gradually, he developed his own philosophy. He turned away from Zhu Xi’s teachings.
In 1722, Sorai was asked to return to public office. Tokugawa Yoshimune, the 8th Shogun, made the request. Sorai declined. He continued teaching until his death in 1728. His grave is here at Chōshō-ji.
The gravestone has a special inscription. “Sorai-mono sensei no haka” is written in front. On the back, an inscription states Honda Tadanori wrote the epitaph. Matsushita Useki, a famous calligrapher, did the writing. The tomb became a National Historic Site in 1949.
Ogyu Sorai’s Tomb stands as a testament. It embodies his lasting impact on Japanese thought and history. Take a moment to reflect on the life of this scholar. Consider his contributions to Confucianism and Japanese society.