Political Thought in Japanese Historical Writing: From Kojiki (712) to Tokushi Yoron (1712)

F. Quei Quo is a political science professor at Simon Fraser University.

Few Western scholars on Japanese politics have ever dealt with the
ancient political philosophy of Japan. It is both difficult and
unfashionable. Brownless must be commended for the courage and hard work
evident in his efforts to unravel the philosophical foundation of the
Japanese state. He tries to prove that the Shogunate government never
succeeded in building the legitimacy of its rule. Instead, the Japanese
state has reverted to its tradition of Imperial rule, as witnessed by
the Meiji Restoration of 1867.

As a historical and philosophical inquiry, the volume under review is a
good piece of work. However, to say that the powerful Tokugawa Shogunate
collapsed because of the philosophical weakness of the system seems too
far-fetched. Indeed, the revival of Koku-gaku (National Studies) did
undermine the legitimacy of Shogun rule; yet it was the failure of
economy in the late Tokugawa, and especially the division of the nation
over the issue of the opening of Japan, that contributed to the
dissolution of the Shogunate. One can also cite the role of the Tozamas
(Outside Lords) and even the weak political leadership of Keiki (the
last Shogun) as the most immediate causes for the failure of the system.

In Japanese politics, power and authority have always been separate
entities. While the authority (legitimacy) has always remained with the
Imperial family, power has resided in the Kanpaku, Shogun, and Genro,
depending on the circumstances of the history. Brownlee’s study has
added further evidence for this political tradition of Japan.