Compilation of the Topography by Kaibara Ekiken and the Formation of Ekiken’s Geographical Knowledge

Abstract

This paper examines the compilation process of Chikuzen-no-kuni syoku fudoki, the official topography of Chikuzen province by Kaibara Ekiken in the late 17th century, and clarifies its important role in the history of the official topographies of the Edo period. In addition, we discuss the relationship between his intellectual practices as a Confucian scholar and the politics of the Fukuoka Domain. Some historical documents including his diaries help to understand the compilation process. While some geographical information was collected to generate the topography using the Domain’s governance structure, others were accumulated from Ekiken’s original book collection. Furthermore, he expanded his geographical knowledge through his duty as an official scholar, such as sankin kotai. In particular, a unique network of Confucian scholars in Kyoto also helped in his intellectual activities, including compiling the topography. Although the characteristics of Chikuzen-no-kuni syoku fudoki are adequately placed between the 17th and 18th centuries in the history of official topographies, in terms of format and policy, we confirm that the format of the topography derived from Ekiken’s intentions was inherited in the compilation of official topographies since the 19th century.