Japanese Landscape Theory - Nihon Fuukeiron

First published in October 1894 (Meiji 27). Shiga Shigetaka's masterpiece. Not only does it provide a geographical interpretation of the landscape, but it also explains the spiritual qualities of Japanese landscapes, attracting many readers and going through 15 editions (1903) with multiple revisions and additions. Previous landscape theories had been limited to superficial coverage such as the Three Views of Japan and the Eight Views of Omi, but Shiga argued that Japan's landscapes are superior based on actual observations and comparisons of the climate, ocean, and topography. He attributed these to the abundance of water vapor, the rapid erosion of running water, the variety of ocean currents, and the abundance of volcanoes. He compared Japan's location, nature, and human characteristics with those of other countries, citing poetry and prose, and deepening his understanding by providing sketches and isotherm diagrams.

[Shinzo Kiuchi]

"Theory of Japanese Landscapes" Volumes 1 and 2 (Kodansha Academic Library)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

1894年（明治27）10月初版。志賀重昂(しがしげたか)の代表作。風景の地理学的解釈を行ったのみでなく、日本風景の精神的な特質をも説き、多くの読者を集め、改訂増補を重ねて15版（1903）に及んだ。従来の風景論は日本三景、近江(おうみ)八景のような皮相な取り上げに終わっていたが、彼は日本の風景が優れていることを気候、海洋、地形などの実地観察、比較などに基づいて説いた。その理由を、水蒸気の多いこと、流水の侵食が激烈なこと、海流の多様なこと、火山が多いことに求め、詩文を引いて日本の位置、自然、人間の特色を海外とも比較考察し、スケッチ、同温線（等温線）図を掲げるなど理解を深めている。

［木内信藏］

『『日本風景論』上下（講談社学術文庫）』

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