Shigeru Kato

A scholar of Oriental history, known especially as a pioneer in the study of Chinese economic history. Born in Matsue, Shimane Prefecture. Graduated from the Department of Chinese History, Faculty of Letters, Tokyo Imperial University in 1906 (Meiji 39). Served as an assistant member of the Provisional Taiwan Old Customs Investigation Committee, professor at Keio University, and professor at Tokyo Imperial University. His main work, "A Study of Gold and Silver in the Tang and Song Dynasties" (2 volumes, 1925-26), is a precise study that clarifies the fact that gold and silver bullion was used as currency during the Tang and Song dynasties, by critically interpreting related historical materials that were thoroughly collected. It is said to be a groundbreaking achievement in terms of its method and content, and he was awarded a doctorate in literature and the Imperial Academy Prize. His other works include "Study on the ancient Chinese land-owning system," "Outline of Chinese economic history," "Translation and commentary on the Records of the Grand Historian and the Food and Trade Journal of the Hanshu," and "Translation and commentary on the Food and Trade Journal of the Old Tangshu and the Food and Trade Journal of the Five Dynasties," and two volumes of "Research on the Chinese Economic History" were compiled by his disciples after his death. His influence on the academic world of Chinese social and economic history was great.

[Hoshi Hideo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

東洋史学者。とくに中国経済史の開拓者として知られる。島根県松江市生まれ。1906年（明治39）東京帝国大学文科大学支那(しな)史学選科卒業。臨時台湾旧慣調査会補助委員、慶応義塾大学教授、東京帝国大学教授を歴任。主著『唐宋(そう)時代に於(お)ける金銀の研究』2冊（1925～26）は、唐・宋時代に金銀地金が貨幣的機能をもって使用された事実を、くまなく集めた関係史料に批判解釈を加えて明らかにした精密な研究で、その方法と内容とにおいて画期的業績といわれ、文学博士号を得、学士院恩賜賞を贈られた。そのほか『支那古田制の研究』『支那経済史概説』『史記平準書・漢書食貨志訳註(やくちゅう)』『旧唐書食貨志・旧五代史食貨志訳註』があり、没後門下生の編集した論文集には『支那経済史考証』2冊がある。中国社会経済史学界に与えた影響は大きい。

［星　斌夫］

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