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Takeshi Umehara

うめはら たけし

Umehara Takeshi

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1925-03-20 （Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan）
Died
2019-01-12 （Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan） age 93
Nationality
Japan
Languages
Japanese
Residence History
Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan → Chita District / Okazaki area, Aichi Prefecture, Japan → Kyoto City, Japan

Career

Occupations
Philosopher, Critic, University Professor, Writer
Active Years
1952-2019
Affiliations
Ritsumeikan University (former professor), Kyoto City University of Arts (former president, emeritus professor), International Research Center for Japanese Studies (founding director, emeritus), Japan PEN Club (former president), Monotsukuri University (founding president)
Memberships
Japan PEN Club, The Association for Article 9 (co-founder/call signatory)
Influenced By
Kitaro Nishida, Motoo Tanabe, Tokuryu Yamauchi, Michitaro Tanaka, Tetsuro Watsuji, Daisetz Suzuki, Shunpei Ueyama, Takeo Kuwabara, Aristotle, René Descartes, Heraclitus, Martin Heidegger, Friedrich Nietzsche
Influenced
Hiroki Azuma, Motohiko Izawa, Yasui Yutaka

Education

No.8 High School (old system, Nagoya)
Division of Liberal Arts / Humanities
Period: 〜1945
Year of Graduation: 1945
Country: Japan
Old-system high school (Nagoya)
Kyoto University, Faculty of Letters, Department of Philosophy
Faculty of Letters / Department of Philosophy
Degree: 学士
Period: 1945-1948
Year of Graduation: 1948
Country: Japan
Graduated after returning to university post-war
Kyoto University Graduate School, Special Research Student (Philosophy)
Period: 1948-1949
Year of Graduation: 1949
Country: Japan
Special research student (non-degree)

Awards

Buddhist Propagation Cultural Award
1969
Organization: Buddhist Propagation Cultural Award
Result: 受賞
Mainichi Publishing Culture Award
1972
Work: The Hidden Cross (Horyu-ji theory)
Organization: Mainichi Newspapers
Result: 受賞
Osaragi Jiro Prize
1974
Work: Songs from the Water's Bottom (on Kakinomoto no Hitomaro)
Organization: Osaragi Jiro Prize
Result: 受賞
Otani Takejiro Prize
1986
Organization: Otani Takejiro Prize
Result: 受賞
Chunichi Culture Award
1991
Organization: Chunichi Shimbun
Result: 受賞
Person of Cultural Merit
1992
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 選出
NHK Broadcasting Culture Award
1992
Organization: NHK
Result: 受賞
Honorary Citizen of Kyoto City
1998
Organization: City of Kyoto
Result: 称号授与
Order of Culture
1999
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 受章
Japan Cultural Design Award
2008
Organization: Japan Cultural Design Award
Result: 受賞
Junior Third Rank (posthumous)
2019
Organization: Government of Japan
Result: 叙位

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Thoughts on Hell

1967 Philosophy

A study tracing concepts of hell from antiquity to modern times and their relation to Japanese literature and thought.

views on death and lifereligious thoughtliterature and religion

The Hidden Cross — A Theory on Horyu-ji

1972 Ancient history / Religious history

Presents an original hypothesis about the construction of Horyu-ji and interpretations of Prince Shotoku; provoked debate.

ancient Japanese historyreligion and powerBuddhist studies

Songs from the Water's Bottom — On Kakinomoto no Hitomaro

1973 Literary studies / Classical studies

A bold re-examination of the life and works of Kakinomoto no Hitomaro, challenging conventional views.

ancient poet studiestextual interpretationclassical literature

The Structure of Laughter

1972 Cultural studies / Philosophy

A philosophical examination of 'laughter' as a means to overcome nihilism.

theory of laughtercritique of existentialismcultural studies

An Introduction to a Philosophy for Humankind

2013 Philosophy / Ethics

Critiques the limits of Western philosophy and proposes a 'philosophy for humankind' grounded in the Buddhist concept that all things may attain buddhahood.

critique of Western philosophyBuddhist thoughtglobal philosophy

Bibliography

  • Thoughts on Hell
  • The Hidden Cross
  • Songs from the Water's Bottom
  • The Structure of Laughter
  • Thoughts on Buddhism
  • An Introduction to a Philosophy for Humankind
  • Forest Thought Will Save Humankind
  • Kojiki (Revised Edition)
  • Collected Works of Takeshi Umehara
  • Yamato Takeru (Super Kabuki)

Adaptations

  • Yamato Takeru (Super Kabuki)
  • Oguri (Super Kabuki)
  • Gilgamesh (play / stage)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
essayisticspeculativepopular-expository
Recurring Motifs
vengeful spirits (onryō)all things attaining buddhahooddiscussions of Japanese culturenature worshipBuddhist thought

Health

  • Pneumonia
    2019-01
    Died of pneumonia at home on 2019-01-12
  • Cancer (history of illness)
    年代不明・複数回
    Had episodes of cancer and continued writing and lecturing while undergoing treatment

Legacy

Takeshi Umehara bridged Western philosophy and deep studies of Japanese culture, proposing 'Umehara Japanese Studies' and a 'philosophy for humankind.' His bold hypotheses and extensive writings influenced both academia and popular culture; he received many honors including the Order of Culture while also drawing scholarly criticism.

Museums

  • MIHO MUSEUM (inaugural director involvement) Shiga Prefecture (Koka area), Japan

Academic Societies

  • International Research Center for Japanese Studies (founding director)

Archives

  • International Research Center for Japanese Studies archives
  • Kyoto City University of Arts archives

In Popular Culture

  • Provided scripts for Super Kabuki productions (Yamato Takeru, Oguri, etc.)
  • Stage adaptation of 'Gilgamesh' and overseas performances

Quotes

  • Polytheism is essentially more tolerant and superior to monotheism.
    Source: Writings and dialogues
  • The nuclear plant accident is a 'civilization disaster'.
    Source: Remarks at the Reconstruction Council for the Great East Japan Earthquake (2011)

Trivia

  • Born illegitimate and raised by his uncle's family as a child
  • Served as president of Kyoto City University of Arts, founding director of the International Research Center for Japanese Studies, and founding president of Monotsukuri University
  • Known for works such as 'The Hidden Cross', 'Songs from the Water's Bottom', and 'An Introduction to a Philosophy for Humankind'