The Emerging Process Of The Idea Of Kokutai (The National Unity) In Japan And Its Content

Abstract

Kokutai is an important concept that ideologically influenced the establishment and development of the Japanese nation-state. Kokutai represents the Japanese state based on the eternal-absolute sovereignty of the sacred Japanese emperors and the Japanese people united under this state. The concept, in this sense, was used for the first time in Aizawa Seishisai (1782-1863)'s Shinron written in 1825. The text became widespread in the country at the time it was written. Seishisai is a scholar who deals with Confucianism under the Mito Han and has p on the political and social problems of the country. Shinron, which he wrote, is a text that reflects Seishisai's views on how the Tokugawa Bakufu should take measures against the threat of foreign ships coming to Japan since the end of the 18th century. Seishishai advocated the slogan Sonnō Joi (respect the emperor and drive out the barbarians) in the text. He drew attention to the unity of the people and the emperor. In this article, the historical process in Japan that led to the emergence of the idea of kokutai is examined. In addition, the concept of kokutai in Shinron was analyzed by content analysis method.

Keywords

• Japanese Literature
• Kokutai (national unity)
• Holy Japanese Emperors
• Shinron
• Religious Ceremony

Japonya’da Kokutai (Millî Birlik) Fikrinin Ortaya Çıkışı Ve Muhtevası

Abstract

Kokutai, Japon ulus devletinin kuruluşunu ve gelişimini ideolojik açıdan etkileyen önemli bir kavramdır. Kokutai, kutsal Japon imparatorlarının ebedî-mutlak egemenliğe dayanan Japon devletini ve bu devlet çatısında birleşen Japon halkını temsil etmektedir. Kavram, bu manasıyla ilk kez Aizawa Seishisai (1782-1863)’in 1825’de kaleme aldığı Shinron (Yeni Sav) eserinde kullanılmıştır. Metin yazıldığı dönemde ülkede yaygınlaşmıştır. Seishisai, Mito Hanlığı’na bağlı Konfüçyüsçülüğe dair çalışmalar yapan bilgin olup ülkenin siyasî ve sosyal sorunları üzerine kafa yormuştur. Kaleme aldığı Shinron, 18. yüzyılın sonlarından itibaren Japonya’ya gelen yabancı gemilerin tehditine karşı Tokugawa Yönetimi’nin alması gereken önlemlere dair Seishisai’in görüşlerini yansıtan bir metindir. Seishisai, metinde Sonnō Joi (imparatoru say ve barbarları kov) sloganını savunmuştur. Halk ile imparatorun birliğine dikkat çekmiştir. Bu makalede, Kokutai fikrinin ortaya çıkmasına neden olan Japonya’daki tarihî süreç incelenmiştir. Ayrıca Shinron eserindeki kokutai kavramı, içerik analizi yöntemiyle analiz edilmiş, nicel ve nitel tespitler yapılmıştır.

Keywords

• Japon Edebiyatı
• Kokutai (millî birlik)
• Shinron
• Kutsal Japon İmparatorları
• Dini Törenler

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