Oriental Studies in Japan
By R. Kimura
Summary
The text discusses two main topics: the dating of Manik Ganguli’s *Mangal* and academic provisions for Indian studies in Japanese universities. Regarding *Mangal*, the author disputes Dr. Dines Chandra Sen’s claim that the text was written in 1547 A.D., as the original date provided by Ganguli is unclear. The author reinterprets the date as corresponding to the Saka era, yielding 1560 A.D. (1491 Saka + 647). The second section details the academic infrastructure for Indian studies in Japan, particularly in universities like Tokyo Imperial, Kyoto Imperial, Otani, Ryukoku, and others. Key figures include Dr. J. Takakusu (Sanskrit at Tokyo), Dr. M. Anesaki (Indian religions), and Prof. T. Suzuki (Mahayana Buddhism at Otani). Other institutions like Sukeo, Singan-su, and Maysingi also offer Sanskrit, Pali, Hindu philosophy, and Buddhism. The text notes the growing academic interest in Indian subjects, including recent provisions in Korean and Pa-Xo-oka universities. Overall, it highlights Japan’s institutional support for the study of Buddhism, Hindu philosophy, and related disciplines.
Conclusion
This study establishes the precise dating of Manik Ganguli’s *Mangal Mangal* to 1560 CE through a critical analysis of its Saka era references, resolving discrepancies in prior scholarship. By deciphering the text’s chronological markers, it corrects earlier assumptions and provides a definitive timeline for this significant work on Bengali Dharma legends. The findings underscore the importance of re-examining textual details to refine historical understanding. Additionally, the document highlights Japan’s robust academic infrastructure for Indian studies, detailing institutional provisions for Sanskrit, Pali, Buddhist, and Hindu philosophical research across major universities. This dual focus—on textual chronology and academic infrastructure—contributes to a nuanced intersection of historical accuracy and cross-cultural scholarly collaboration.