THE SYMMETRICAL DIAGRAMS BY JAPANESE THINKERS IN THE EDO ERA

Ritsuko IZUHARA

Abstract: This study is focuses on the diagrams drawn by Japanese thinkers in the Edo Era. They used the diagrams as tools for constructing and developing their thoughts. The purpose of this study is to clarify the features of their diagrams. This kind of diagram was also used in the western culture. Firstly, the diagrams in the western and eastern culture are introduced. Secondly, the diagrams drawn by the Japanese thinkers in the Edo era, especially Baien Miura, Tojyu Nakae, Banzan Kumazawa, Sontoku Ninomiya, and Shoeki Ando, are focused. The diagrams called “Gengo-zu” by Baien Miura are quite unique. Therefore, “Gengo-zu” is compared with the diagrams by the other thinkers in terms of the shapes and the functions. As the result, common features of their diagrams are circularity and symmetry. On the other hands, the remarkable difference is that “Gengo-zu” represents three-dimensional structures and Baien formulated his own system as languages and formulas. It is considered that Baien was influenced by the western culture, which is visual aid used in geography and astronomy.