According to OgyuSorai's (荻生徂徠) theories, imitating and familiarizing oneself with the given models are the methods to study the Poetry, History, Rites and Music (詩書禮榮, ShiShuLiYue). As maintained in some earlier literature, Sorai shares some ideas with the studying methods of Japanese traditional arts, which are based on learning of models and manners. The conclusion, however, is not carefully reviewed. The studying theories of Sorai were developed through criticizing the theories of Zhu Xi (朱熹) and Ito Jinsai (伊藤仁齋). Sorai's criticism emphasizes that they consider the rites and music to be understood through language. From the perspective of Sorai, it is by practice that the rites and music are truly learned and comprehended. This article focuses on how Sorai criticized Zhu Xi and Jinsai and developed his own theories. Moreover, it makes comparisons between the studying methods of Sorai and Japanese traditional arts, and discusses Sorai's viewpoints on the existence of both human beings and nature to define the characteristics of Sorai's methods of studying.
