YAMAGA, SOKO

(1622-1685)

A Confucian kogaku ('ancient learning') scholar and military scientist, influential in samurai ethics and an important influence on later thinkers such as Yoshida, Shoin who educated a number of leading figures of theMeijirestoration. Yamaga was originally ashushi-gakustudent ofHayashi, Razanand studiedRyobu Shinto. He developed a critique of what he regarded as overly-theoretical neo-Confucian (shushi) thought, arguing that a study of the ancient texts (kogaku) was needed. He indirectly encouragedkokugakutendencies by insisting that Japan was in no way inferior to China.