5
Hirata,[1] mentions a large number of works brought to him from various parts of the country, some from Kiôto, and and others from Kamakura, and a few from the monastery of Minobu San in Kôshiu. Before his death he gave directions that the library of Japanese and Chinese books which he had formed at Sumpu should be divided between his eighth son, the prince of Owari, and his ninth son, the prince of Kishiu. The former received the greater part of the Japanese books, the latter the Chinese books. Under the direction of the prince of Owari were composed the Jiugihôten and Ruijin Nihongi. One of Iyéyasu’s grandsons, the famous second Prince of Mito (1622-1700), known variously as Mito no Kômon sama, and Mito no Gikô (Mitsukuni was his nanori), also collected a vast library by purchasing old books from Shintô and Buddhist temples and from the people. With the aid of a number of scholars, amongst whom tradition says were several learned Chinese who had fled to Japan to escape from the tyranny of the Manchu conquerors, he composed the Dainihonshi, or History of Great Japan, in two hundred and forty books. This book is the standard history of Japan to this day, and all subsequent writers on the same subject have taken it as their guide. He also compiled a work on the ceremonies of the Imperial Court, consisting of more than five hundred volumes, to which the Mikado condescended to give the title of Reigi ruiten. To defray the cost of producing these two magnificent works the Prince of Mito set aside at least 30,000 koku of rice per annum (some accounts say 50,000, others 70,000 koku).
While the study of ancient history thus received powerful impulse from men of high position, there manifested itself in amongst the lower ranks an equal desire to cultivate the native literature. Two of the earliest who turned their attention to this subject were the Buddhist priest Keichiu and the Shintô priest Kada no Adsumamaro.
- ↑ Tamadasuki, Vol. II. p. 58.
