Changes

*''Born: [[1583]]''

*''Born: [[1583]]''

*''Died: [[1657]]/1/23''

*''Died: [[1657]]/1/23''

He studied the [[Neo-Confucianism]] of [[Zhu Xi]] under [[Fujiwara Seika]].

He studied the [[Neo-Confucianism]] of [[Zhu Xi]] under [[Fujiwara Seika]].

As early as [[1611]], Razan began to represent Ieyasu and Japan as a central political and cultural authority, to which other countries send [[tribute]]. This took place in a letter to the [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]] court, sent on behalf of the shogunate and via [[Honda Masazumi]] and the governor of Fujian, seeking to normalize relations. Razan met with [[Korean embassies to Edo|ambassadors from Korea]] in [[1617]]. Still, he struggled against the influence of Buddhist monks [[Tenkai]] and [[Ishin Suden|Ishin Sûden]], feeling that Neo-Confucianism should guide policy, and Buddhism should not. Attempting to strengthen his position, he conducted research into Japanese history, producing works such as ''Honchô jinja-kô'' ("Thoughts on Shrines of Our Realm"), and beginning ''[[Honcho tsugan|Honchô tsugan]]'' ("A General History of Our Realm"), modeled on Zhu Xi's ''[[Tongjian gangmu]]'' ("Outline and Details of the Comprehensive Mirror"); the latter volume would be completed by Razan's son [[Hayashi Gaho|Hayashi Gahô]] in [[1670]].

As early as [[1611]], Razan began to represent Ieyasu and Japan as a central political and cultural authority, to which other countries send [[tribute]]. This took place in a letter to the [[Ming Dynasty|Ming]] court, sent on behalf of the shogunate and via [[Honda Masazumi]] and the governor of Fujian, seeking to normalize relations. Razan met with [[Korean embassies to Edo|ambassadors from Korea]] in [[1617]]. Still, he struggled against the influence of Buddhist monks [[Tenkai]] and [[Ishin Suden|Ishin Sûden]], feeling that Neo-Confucianism should guide policy, and Buddhism should not. Attempting to strengthen his position, he conducted research into Japanese history, producing works such as ''Honchô jinja-kô'' ("Thoughts on Shrines of Our Realm"), and beginning the ''[[Honcho tsugan|Honchô tsugan]]'' ("A General History of Our Realm"), modeled on Zhu Xi's ''[[Tongjian gangmu]]'' ("Outline and Details of the Comprehensive Mirror"); the latter work, in 310 volumes, would be completed by Razan's son [[Hayashi Gaho|Hayashi Gahô]] in [[1670]].

In [[1630]], he founded a Hayashi clan school which would later become the [[Shoheizaka gakumonjo|Shôheizaka gakumonjo]], a major center of Confucian learning for shogunate and [[han|domain]] officials. He added a Confucian shrine, the Senseiden, to the complex in [[1632]].

In [[1630]], he founded a Hayashi clan school which would later become the [[Shoheizaka gakumonjo|Shôheizaka gakumonjo]], a major center of Confucian learning for shogunate and [[han|domain]] officials. He added a Confucian shrine, the Senseiden, to the complex in [[1632]].

Razan is credited with the editing or compilation of numerous works, including the [[1643]] ''[[Kan'ei shoka keizuden]]'', a compilation of samurai genealogies completed alongside his son Hayashi Gahô. He was also involved in promoting the publication of ''Honzô Kômoku'', a Japanese version of the Chinese botanical and pharmacological encyclopedia ''[[Bencao Gangmu|Běncǎo Gāngmù]]''

Razan is credited with the editing or compilation of numerous works, including the [[1643]] ''[[Kan'ei shoka keizuden]]'', a compilation of samurai genealogies completed alongside his son Hayashi Gahô. He was also involved in promoting the publication of ''Honzô Kômoku'', a Japanese version of the Chinese botanical and pharmacological encyclopedia ''[[Bencao Gangmu|Běncǎo Gāngmù]]''. Razan also composed a treatise against [[Christianity]] entitled ''Hai Yaso'' ("Rejecting Jesus").<ref>Watanabe Hiroshi, ''A History of Japanese Political Thought, 1600-1901'', International House of Japan (2012), 156.</ref>

Razan died in [[1657]]. His son Gahô inherited his positions as shogunal advisor, and as head of the Confucian school.

Razan died in [[1657]]. His son Gahô inherited his positions as shogunal advisor, and as head of the Confucian school.

*Arai Hakuseki, Joyce Ackroyd (trans.), ''Told Round a Brushwood Fire'', University of Tokyo Press (1979), 294n171, 314n74.

*Arai Hakuseki, Joyce Ackroyd (trans.), ''Told Round a Brushwood Fire'', University of Tokyo Press (1979), 294n171, 314n74.

*Wm. Theodore de Bary, Carol Gluck, and Arthur Tiedemann (eds.), ''Sources of Japanese Tradition'', Second Edition, vol. 2, Columbia University Press (2005), 68.

*Wm. Theodore de Bary, Carol Gluck, and Arthur Tiedemann (eds.), ''Sources of Japanese Tradition'', Second Edition, vol. 2, Columbia University Press (2005), 68.

[[Category:Edo Period]]

[[Category:Edo Period]]

[[Category:Scholars and Philosophers]]

[[Category:Scholars and Philosophers]]