August 30

Itō Jinsai (1627–1705) was a prominent Japanese Confucian scholar and founder of the Kogigaku school. He emphasized practical ethics and a direct study of the Analects and Mencius, rejecting the abstruse metaphysics of later traditions. His commentary on classical texts revitalized Confucian studies in Japan and influenced educational practices. He served as a tutor to feudal lords and established private academies in Kyoto. Jinsai's humanistic approach fostered a distinct Japanese interpretation of Confucian thought during the Edo period. His legacy endures in Japanese philosophy and education.