1.
Chinese classics; Sinology; study of Chinese classical texts
The academic study of classical Chinese literature, philosophy, and history, particularly as practiced in pre-modern Japan. In the Edo period, 漢学 was one of the main branches of scholarship alongside 国学 (native Japanese studies) and 蘭学 (Dutch/Western studies).
江戸時代には漢学が武士の教養とされた。
In the Edo period, Chinese classical studies were considered part of a samurai's education.
漢学の素養がある人は漢詩を読み解ける。
People with a grounding in Chinese classics can read and interpret Chinese poetry.
明治になって西洋学問が広まると、漢学は次第にその地位を失っていった。
As Western learning spread in the Meiji era, Chinese classical studies gradually lost their status.
Compound of 漢 ('China; Chinese; Han') and 学 ('study; learning'). Refers primarily to the Japanese tradition of studying Chinese classical texts — Confucian writings, Chinese poetry, and historical works — which was central to intellectual life from the Nara period through the Meiji era.
USAGE:
- In historical contexts, refers to the Edo-period scholarly tradition alongside 国学 and 蘭学
- In modern usage, may refer more broadly to Chinese studies or Sinology in academic settings
- The scholar who practices 漢学 is called a 漢学者
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 漢学の素養: grounding in Chinese classics
- 漢学を学ぶ: to study Chinese classics
- 漢学者: scholar of Chinese classics; Sinologist
- 漢学塾: academy for Chinese classical studies
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 国学: Japanese classical studies — the study of ancient Japanese texts, literature, and Shinto, developed in contrast to Chinese learning
- 蘭学: Dutch studies; Western learning — the study of Western science and medicine through Dutch sources in the Edo period
- 中国学: Chinese studies — the modern academic discipline studying China more broadly, including modern history and society