| Exhibition 3: Friends and Allies |
During his 14 years abroad Kumagusu met important people in his life with whom he built up close friendships towards later years. His erudition impressed many people from different cultures. The relationship with these people was maintained after he came back to Japan through letters and supported his research.
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Frederic. V. Dickins (1839-1915) |
| Dickins spent some time in Japan when young and kept studying the Japanese
literature in UK. He later was appointed the registrar of London University. Dickins was 57 when he got to know Kumagusu, then 28, through a letter. They became best friends despite the age difference. Dickins gave financial support to Kumagusu while he was in London and learned a lot from him about Japanese culture. - The Collected Works of F. V. Dickins http://www.ganesha-publishing.com/dickins_intro.htm - The Collected Works of Frederick Victor Dickins http://www.aplink.co.jp/synapse/4-931444-07-5.htm - Hojoki: The Ten Square Feet Hut (Historical Translation Research) http://www.ccl.umist.ac.uk/events/conference/history2.htm |
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Sun Yat-sen (1866-1925) |
| Father of the Chinese Revolution. Sun met Kumagusu in 1897 at the office of Sir Robert K. Douglas, director of the Oriental Books Section, the British Museum. Both quickly established a rapport and maintained a close friendship through visiting each other almost every day until Sun left UK. When in Japan as a political refugee Sun took a risk and visited Kumagusu in Wakayama; an episode that shows their closeness. - Michigan State University Asia Bulletin (March 2001) http://www.isp.msu.edu/asianstudies/asiabulletin/03-01bulletin.html |
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| Horyu Toki (1854-1922) | Chief abbot of the Koyasan Temple. Kumagusu and Toki, much senior to him, met in London, opened up each other and exchanged frank opinions about religion. They wrote to each other until later years. They met again when Kumagusu came back to Japan. |
Homecoming: reunion and new relationships
Kumagusu was an oddball in the public eye because of his unconventional behavior but there were people who were fascinated by his erudition and personality and gave him their unconditional support. In return Kumagusu helped them in their studies by giving advice and offering information.
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Research Trip to Koyasan |
| In late August 1920 Kumagusu visited the sacred mountain of Koyasan at
the invitation of the chief abbot Horyu Toki. They were reunited for the
first time in 27 years since they met in London in 1893. Kumagusu and his
colleagues collected slime molds in the mountains while staying at the
Ichijoin Temple until early September. Left: Kumagusu and friends at the main gate to Koyasan (August 23, 1920). Kumagusu (Center left) and Shiro Koaze (Center right). |
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Kunio Yanagita (1875-1962) |
| Father of Japanese folklore studies. Along with Kumagusu he made a significant contribution to the birth and the development of folklore studies in Japan. Both built up a close relationship through exchanging more than 160 letters. Kumagusu saw him as a mate and rival, while Yanagita respected Kumagusu, calling him with praise gthe embodiment of how far Japanese intelligence can do.h |
There were many others who adored Kumagusu and gave support to his research in many ways.
 Going Abroad |
As a Naturalist |
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Minakata Kumagusu Museum Foundation |
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