The Philosophy of Godai and Japanese Classical Literature

(<Mini Symposium>Spiritual Phenomena and Their Implications,The 31st Symposium 31st Symposium on Life Information Science)

Abstract

The term godai (go "five" + dai "elements" = "the five elements") in Japanese philosophy refers to the four essential elements composing the universe, chi "earth," sui "water," ka "fire," fu "wind," plus ku "void." This philosophy is in accord with the recent discovery made by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory through a radioactive isotope analysis that 99 percent of atoms composing the biological body is replaced within a year, which is reported by Ervin Laszlo. It has also exerted a large-scale influence on Japanese culture, For instance, after learning from a Zen priest, Buccho Zenji, Matsuo Basho (1644-1694), the most famous poet of the Edo period, decided to "live in journeys in his late life. In this presentation, I will trace how this idea of godai developed in Japanese classical literature.