Post by washi on Apr 20, 2015 15:37:32 GMT
"You are you, and I am I, and I will live as I believe."
-- Nishida 1870 - 1945
Kitarō Nishida (西田 幾多郎) was an early 20th century Japanese philosopher whose life’s work was the consideration of Eastern philosophies (notably Zen) in the light of Western thinkers, whose ideas had recently entered Japan during the Meiji Period. He was a professor at Kyoto University, and had many brilliant students who built upon his work and who are known collectively as the “Kyoto School”. He lived in the Higashi Yama area and he was fond of walking (presumably all the while, thinking profound thoughts) on a footpath that runs along side one of the branches of the Lake Biwa Canal as it flows along the base of the mountain.
This scenic road is now called Tetsugaku no Michi (哲学の道). The name is most literally translated as “Philosophy’s Path.” The Japanese for "philosopher" is "tetsugakusha," but I think the equally common English translation of “Philosopher’s Path” does a better job of conveying how it got its name. Countless tourists walk along this path every year. I like to think that perhaps I’m not the only person who, whether I’m enjoying sakura in the spring or kōyō in the fall, takes an almost equal pleasure in knowing that is some silly way I am walking in the footsteps of a great thinker.
This placemark will download a path marking the route and placemarks on six beautiful and historic sites along the way or nearby. 
Download File
Post last revised March 12, 2023.
