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15 Feb 2021
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Hello again! I am looking for interesting topics in Japanese history that I could explore with my knowledge of English / Russian. I would like to diversify the scientific environment of my university with new works.
 
There's always the topic of the four Kuril Islands that have been occupied by Russia since World War II but Japan would like back.
The Kuril Islands are a fairly researched topic and very politicized.

I was thinking about the first diplomatic relations. However, nowhere can I find this wonderful monograph in Russian, and even in Japanese. The publication is very rare, and for researching a topic it would be great to have one.

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The Russian exploration of Hokkaido in the 18th and 19th centuries is quite fascinating, too. I remember I read Captain Golovnin's account (Captivity in Japan During the Years 1811-1813) decades ago (in German). The Japanese captured him and his crew; after a failed escape attempt, he tried to learn as much about Japanese culture and language as he could. His crew was later released and returned to Russia.

Definitely an interesting topic! I wish I could read Golovnin's original account (the German edition was abridged). :)
 
The Russian exploration of Hokkaido in the 18th and 19th centuries is quite fascinating, too. I remember I read Captain Golovnin's account (Captivity in Japan During the Years 1811-1813) decades ago (in German). The Japanese captured him and his crew; after a failed escape attempt, he tried to learn as much about Japanese culture and language as he could. His crew was later released and returned to Russia.

Definitely an interesting topic! I wish I could read Golovnin's original account (the German edition was abridged). :)
It actually sounds very interesting.
Alas, this topic has been quite explored. Although, if I do not write a full-fledged scientific work on this topic, then it will definitely be suitable for articles.

By the way, the topic of Orthodoxy in Japan is not well researched. I have access to a small number of interesting sources, although I'm not sure if anyone has not used them already. In any case, I would write an article for this site about how the Russians saw their mission and the Japanese in the framework of the Orthodox worldview
 
It actually sounds very interesting.
Alas, this topic has been quite explored. Although, if I do not write a full-fledged scientific work on this topic, then it will definitely be suitable for articles.

By the way, the topic of Orthodoxy in Japan is not well researched. I have access to a small number of interesting sources, although I'm not sure if anyone has not used them already. In any case, I would write an article for this site about how the Russians saw their mission and the Japanese in the framework of the Orthodox worldview
What is Orthodoxy? The Russian Orthodox Church? Looks like they still have a presence so that could be interesting. "ú–{³‹³‰ïbƒnƒŠƒXƒgƒX³‹³‰ï The Orthodox Church in Japan
 
В Википедии есть список тем по истории Японии.

[URL Unfurl = "true"] History of Japan - Wikipedia [/ URL]
Все эти темы хорошо изучены, и я бы не стал обращать внимание на большинство из них, только если бы не работал над историографией тем.

Историография на самом деле является сложным явлением / дисциплиной в исторической науке, куда бы я не пошел как полноценный исследователь.
 
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Wikipedia has a list of topics on Japanese history.

Ah, sorry. I accidentally wrote my answer in Russian.

All of these topics are well studied, and I would not pay attention to most of them, after all I don't work on the historiography of the topics.
Historiography is actually a complex phenomenon / discipline in historical science, wherever I won't go as a full-fledged researcher.
 
Are you interested in the history of the early Meiji Era, when Japan was transformed from a feudal society into a modern nation (and began having diplomatic relations)?
Yes. However, I should note that the term feudalism for Asian countries is rather controversial, because it comes from European historiography, for which it was coined as a description of Medieval legal-political relations.

Now I am interested in this period, for the reason that there was a clash of worldviews, European and Asian. Therefore, I am especially interested in the history of the Orthodox Church of Japan. Let the topic be researched, there is something to say in it, even if a lot of documents have been researched, I can give a slightly different view of the phenomenon of Orthodoxy in Japan.
 
Вы пробовали связаться с Православной Церковью в Японии?

[URL Unfurl = "true"] Orthodox Church in Japan - Wikipedia [/ URL]

[URL Unfurl = "true"] Daniel (Nushiro) - Wikipedia [/ URL]

[URL Unfurl = "true"] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holy_Resurrection_Catangular [/ URL]
In what sense is "contact"?

It would be very nice to get historical information directly from the Church. I found some interesting books (in Russian) about the history of the Orthodox Church and Mission. And also the diary of Father Sergius (Tikhomirov), who seem to have not figured anywhere yet as a source to which someone would refer in their works.

In any case, if there is any opportunity to request information with translation at least into English, I would be very happy. I already know a little about Nicholas and Sergius, who led the church at the beginning of its journey. However, I would like to deepen my knowledge and would be happy to find something that have not yet written about or talked a little about.
 
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Yes. However, I should note that the term feudalism for Asian countries is rather controversial,
Really? I wonder why it would be considered controversial, and by whom it would be considered controversial. It seems to be a non-judgmental word describing any pre-modern society that is dominated by land owning/controlling barons (or, warlords, if you like), and their clashes for control over territory - so in this sense it seems to be a word that is very useful for westerners to describe pre-Meiji Japan.

It is like saying we can't translate the word 警察 into "policeman", because the concept and the development of western police is different from Japan's.
 
Действительно? Интересно, почему это будет сочтено спорным, и кем оно будет сочтено спорным. Кажется, это слово без осуждения, описывающее любое досовременное общество, в котором доминируют землевладельцы / управляющие бароны (или, военачальники, если хотите), и их столкновения за контроль над территорией - так что в этом смысле это похоже на слово, которое очень полезно для жителей Запада для описания Японии до Мэйдзи.

Это все равно что сказать, что мы не можем перевести слово 警察 как «полицейский», потому что концепция и развитие западной полиции отличается от японской.
In fact, many mediavilists refer to the term in a similar way. Of course, you correctly noticed the meaning of the term, but this is only one of the meanings. For example, you can read the works of Aron Gurevich, who is an excellent specialist in the Middle Ages, he has many interesting ideas on this subject. Despite the fact that Gurevich wrote in the USSR, his works were much broader than the Marxist approach I hated and considered the issue of feudalism much broader than anywhere else. F. Moulder expresses, for example, a similar opinion, pointing to the proximity of Japan to the Sino-imperial system.

However, it is also worth noting that the Japanese era of feudalism from all Asian countries was closer to the European one. On this account, you can read Nitobe Inazo. I have noticed this in connection with the fact that I am studying this topic at the university. This is an interesting and complex discourse that beckons, but it is entirely based on the issue of terminology and the elements of the system.
 
Hello Gleb, thank you for your reply. I do not know the work of Aron Gurevich or F. Moulder. I think these references may be more esoteric than the average person will be familiar with. But I am interested in this idea, so I will try to study a bit more about their beliefs. (I am slightly familiar with Nitobe Inazo). Anyway, thanks again and sorry to take the thread slightly off-topic.
 
The Russian embassy in Tokyo probably has a very strong connection with the Russian church in Tokyo. I am sure the embassy would be more than happy to help you with this. (One of the purposes of the embassy is to help people learn about Russian culture, which is exactly what you are doing.) Perhaps the Russian embassy has a 'cultural ambassador' of some sort, who could help you. Ask them if they have such a 'cultural ambassador'.
 
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Hello Gleb, thank you for your reply. I do not know the work of Aron Gurevich or F. Moulder. I think these references may be more esoteric than the average person will be familiar with. But I am interested in this idea, so I will try to study a bit more about their beliefs. (I am slightly familiar with Nitobe Inazo). Anyway, thanks again and sorry to take the thread slightly off-topic.
In fact, you spoke quite correctly. I talked to some of my classmates about this. They also expressed their support for you, pointing out that I rely on regional specifics too much, giving it much more value than it is worth.

In any case, you were not mistaken and made a pretty good argument by asking some really cool questions. But I'm glad I was able to recommend authors on a topic in which you are interested. Aron's works, for example, are considered extremely important for medieval studies and therefore have been translated into many foreign languages, including English. Enjoy your immersion in the topic ;)
 
The Russian embassy in Tokyo probably has a very strong connection with the Russian church in Tokyo. I am sure the embassy would be more than happy to help you with this. (One of the purposes of the embassy is to help people learn about Russian culture, which is exactly what you are doing.) Perhaps the Russian embassy has a 'cultural ambassador' of some sort, who could help you. Ask them if they have such a 'cultural ambassador'.
This is very important information, I am very grateful for such a tip and will try to make contacts when I dive into the topic after reading the available literature.
 
The Russian exploration of Hokkaido in the 18th and 19th centuries is quite fascinating, too. I remember I read Captain Golovnin's account (Captivity in Japan During the Years 1811-1813) decades ago (in German). The Japanese captured him and his crew; after a failed escape attempt, he tried to learn as much about Japanese culture and language as he could. His crew was later released and returned to Russia.

Definitely an interesting topic! I wish I could read Golovnin's original account (the German edition was abridged). :)
Internet Archive Search: creator:"Golovnin, Vassilii Mikhailovich"

Here, I found an edition from England in 3 volumes. This is a facsimile edition made from the original English translation, I hope it is complete. Have fun reading)
(From right to left 1,2 and 3 volumes)
 
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