The “Kyoto Association of Jewish Thought” was founded in 2008 on the basis of research carried out by three Kyoto teachers: Tetsutaro Ariga, Yoshimori Hiraishi(1912-2006), and Yuzo Morita(1930-2000). Ariga was the first Japanese Doctor of Theology and one of the prominent leaders of the ecumenical movement in Japan. In 1935, Ariga boldly published in his “Commentary of the Epistle to the Hebrew” critical opinion of Deutsche Christen. During World War II, at the request of Manchuria Railway Company, Ariga began translating “Das Wesen des Judentums (the Essence of Judaism)” by Leo Baeck. Ariga published his translation right after the War. His intention is clearly described in his preface (See appendix: Ariga's letter to Baeck December, 26, 1947).
After publishing the translation, Ariga managed to have a personal contact with Leo Baeck, who had escaped from Germany to London. The exchange of letters between Baeck and Ariga were presented to an audience during a lecture on historical documents. (See appendix.)
In Japan's postwar dire situation, Ariga's translation of “Das Wesen des Judentums” did not have a large number of Japanese readers. Today, however, Ariga's book is likely to get considerable exposure.
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