The Collection and Transfer of Shinto Priest Family Libraries in Tōtōmi Province (遠江国) during Late Edo and Meiji Restoration Period : Focusing on the Role of Adoption

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  • 幕末維新期における遠江国神職の書籍の蒐集と移動 : 養子縁組に着目して
  • バクマツ イシンキ ニ オケル トオトウミノクニ シンショク ノ ショセキ ノ シュウシュウ ト イドウ : ヨウシ エングミ ニ チャクモク シテ

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Abstract

This study examines the mutual influence of adoption and the collection and transfer of family libraries during Late Edo and Meiji Restoration period. This paper is a case study of Nakamura Tokai (中村東海), a Shinto priest and twice adopted. This study reveals three points: First, both Tokai's natal and adoptive families' libraries were enriched through his adoption. Tokai's natal family and his adoptive family shared several commonalities, such as family occupation, status, and cultural attainment When Tokai joined his adoptive family he brought books with him, thus enriching his adoptive family's library. Furthermore, Tokai's natal family's library also increased after the adoption by borrowing books from the adoptive family. Second, adoption served as a means of expanding both families' human network, which was intertwined with their library collections. Both families gained a new human network which they were able to use to gain additional books. Third, Tokai's human and library network was composed of families of similar backgrounds; they lived in the same area, had the same family occupation (Shinto priesthood), had cultivated similar levels of intellectual and cultural attainment, etc. Through their continued relationship of book exchange, Tokai's families built up relationships of trust, facilitated through the practice of adoption.

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