抄録
This paper examines the roles played by Hajime Kobayashi (1904-1963) in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies in Japan. Although he is one of the forgotten Japanese scholars in this academic field today, he can be considered as a good example of the researchers who represent the continuation of the studies before and after World War II. Kobayashi was one of those who engaged in the establishment of the first academic research institution of Islamic studies (Kaikyoken Kenkyujo) in Japan in 1938. He was also appointed as professor at the preparatory Army Academy of the Imperial Army before World War II. After the war, Kobayashi exerted himself in 1956 for the establishment of Middle East Research Institute of Japan (Chuto Chosakai) which was an auxiliary organization of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This paper concludes that the reason why Kobayashi has been forgotten might be Kobayashi's versatility with the times; Kobayashi was not only a researcher but also a coordinator of Middle Eastern and Islamic studies in Japan before and after the war. In other words, he committed to the war or politics or even collaborated with the military establishment during the war as an ardent nationalist during the war.
