松尾 由希子

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.

This article examines the dissemination of knowledge and culture at provincial level by focusing on the book collection of a late Edo period merchant family. This article analyzes this issue through two factors, namely the family's financial background and the use their book collection served. The following three points are the significant features uncovered in this study of the Uchiike family the Province of Mutsu, whose book collection accumulated largely through the efforts of the eighth generation Ujiike family head, Nagatoshi (1763-1848). 1. After retiring, Nagatoshi studied with Motoori Ohira, providing Nagatoshi with the opportunity to acquire books concerning the study of classical Japanese literature. He later organized the Michinoku study circle for the study of classical literature and tanka poetry in Senoue Village, where he resided. 2. The wealthy circumstances of the Ujiike family allowed for Nagatoshi's study and book collecting. Nagatoshi lived off of 20 ryo annual allowance provided by the family. His average yearly book purchases totaled 5 ryo. Comparing the average income of families in Mutsu Province, this was a large sum. The acquisition of books was a wealthy man's pursuit. 3. Nagatoshi gave the members of the Michinoku study circle the opportunity to borrow from his collection for their own study of classical Japanese literature and tanka poetry, providing a base of knowledge for the study circle as a whole.