The Historical Trajectory of the Japanese Concept of Virtue

Abstract

The historical trajectory of the Japanese concept of virtue, “toku (徳)”, has been relatively neglected by scholars. Dividing Japanese history into five periods, I examine this concept and reveal four of its features. First, the prototype of this concept is Buddhist rather than Confucian. Second, Confucian colouration became distinct after the mid-17th century, reaching its peak in the early 20th century. Third, Aristotle’s notion of virtue has been warmly welcomed by Japanese intellectuals since the late 19th century. Fourth, since the late 20th century, this concept has become an amalgam of Buddhist, Confucian, and Western-Christian notions of virtue.