Shibata Kyuou

A Sekimon Shingaku scholar from the late Edo period. His name was Toru, commonly known as Kenzo, and he was known by the names Kyūō and Kyūkei-an. He was born on May 5, 1782, the third year of Tenmei, as the son of Nara Monoya Yoshibei, a Kyoto courier. He wandered from childhood due to his family's poverty, but at the age of 28, he became successful as a lecturer on military books. He was deeply moved by reading Tohimondō, and after meeting Satta Tokuken (1778-1836), he became interested in Shingaku. In 1825 (Bunsei 8), at the age of 43, he quit his job as a lecturer, which earned him a high salary of 100 ryo a year, and devoted himself to spreading Shingaku, even though he was prepared to become a beggar. He lost his sight at the age of 45, but continued to work energetically until his death on May 3, Tempo 10, at the age of 57. His teachings extended to not only ordinary people, but also local magistrates, samurai of various domains, Kyoto Shoshidai, and court nobles. His simple and skillful speaking skills were compiled in "Kyuo Dowa," one of the representative works of Shingaku Dowa.

[Jun Imai, May 19, 2016]

"Shibata Minoru (ed.), "Japanese Thought Series 42: Sekimon Shingaku" (1971, Iwanami Shoten)" ▽ "Ishikawa Ken (ed.), "Kyuo Dowa" (Iwanami Bunko)"

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

江戸後期の石門心学(せきもんしんがく)者。名は亨(とおる)、通称謙蔵、鳩翁・鳩継庵(きゅうけいあん)と号す。天明(てんめい)3年5月5日、京都の飛脚(ひきゃく)業奈良物屋吉兵衛の子に生まれる。幼年時代より生家困窮のため諸方を流浪したが、28歳のとき軍書講釈師として成功する。やがて『都鄙問答(とひもんどう)』を読んで感動し、薩埵徳軒(さったとくけん)（1778―1836）を知って心学に関心を寄せ、1825年（文政8）43歳のときに年100両という高収入の講釈師をやめて、「乞食(こじき)覚悟」で心学布教に専念。45歳で失明したが、天保(てんぽう)10年5月3日57歳で没するまで精力的に活動を続けた。その教化は、庶民はもとより、各地代官・諸藩士や京都所司代(しょしだい)・堂上公卿(くぎょう)にまで及んだ。彼の平易で巧みな話術は『鳩翁道話』にまとめられ、心学道話の代表的著作の一つとなっている。

［今井　淳　2016年5月19日］

『柴田実編『日本思想大系42　石門心学』（1971・岩波書店）』▽『石川謙校訂『鳩翁道話』（岩波文庫）』

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