Islamic Studies in the Early Showa Period : Kaikyoken-Kenkyujo (Institute of Islamic Area) and Okubo Koji(<Special Issue>Islam and Religious Studies)

Abstract

This paper aims to define Okubo Koji (1887-1950) and the Kaikyoken-Kenkyujo (Institute of Islamic Area) in the history of Islamic studies in the Early Showa Period. Okubo was a researcher in Turkish and Islamic studies, and he established the Kaikyoken-Kenkyujo in 1938. It originated from his idea concerning the importance of systematic research in Islamic studies for the future of Japan. This organization had kept up its activity during the wartime, but was dissolved in 1945 because of the defeat of Japan in World War II. Islamic studies in Japan were greatly developed in Japan before World War II. The research institute was organized to help the war effort ; thus, Islam was studied. There was a need for Islamic knowledge for the government and its extra-governmental organizations ; therefore, most Japanese researchers in Islamic studies were sent to East Asia and Southeast Asia, where Muslims live, during the time of Japan's imperialism. After World War II, Islamic academism has neglected its own history because there was the background of being related to Japan's imperialism. As a result, Islamic studies in Japan faded after the war. Therefore Okubo and his Institute is not well known in the history of Japanese Islamic studies. On the other hand, Okubo and his Institute should not be neglected for the sake of an intimate study of Islam. In fact, Okubo's work of academic research and his Institute was significant in the history of Japan's Islamic studies.