Abstract The prerequisite for constructing a systematic and scientific history of Chinese character studies in Japan is to establish a resource library of Chinese character studies in Japan, based on vigorous efforts to uncover important literature in Japan. At the same time, in-depth exploration of the basic issues in the history of Chinese character studies in Japan, such as how to understand the systematic and scientific theory and methods of Japanese Chinese character studies, involves the theory of periodization, classification theory, construction theory, country theory, geographical domain theory, interpretation theory and methods of Chinese character studies in Japan. These theories and methods will bring Japan’s Chinese character studies to a new academic height and constitute a new model of Japan’s Chinese character studies. These attempts will lay a paradigmatic foundation for future scholars to establish a more comprehensive history of Chinese characters in Japan, thereby guiding the academic direction of this field worldwide and securing China’s discursive initiative in the study of the history of Chinese characters in Japan.A comprehensive and systematic understanding of the history of Chinese character studies in Japan from the perspective of the Chinese character cultural circle will enable Chinese scholars to break away from the unidirectional research pattern of following the established “rhythm” of Japanese academic in Chinese character studies. This approach strives for independence and objectivity, and aims to secure the academic initiative of Chinese scholars in studying the history of Japanese Chinese character studies, and establish their own discursive authority. This demonstrates a more proactive vitality and determination of Chinese scholars in the shaping the understanding of Japan’s Chinese character studies.To understand the history of Chinese character studies in Japan, it is necessary to adopt three academic perspectives: the first is to view the history of Chinese character studies in Japan from the perspective of the country; The second one is to examine it from the perspective of the East Asian Chinese character cultural circle; The third point is to analyze it within the context of the global history Chinese character studies. Therefore, the academic foundation established from the outset is of a high standard.By incorporating the achievements in related disciplines and conducting interdisciplinary research on the history of Chinese character studies in Japan, research can break away from the closed fortress of a single discipline and achieve new interdisciplinary integration and academic integration, which is in line with the current academic trend of new humanities construction in the Chinese academic community. In addition to the academic integration of various sub-disciplines within the study of Chinese characters in Japan, efforts have also been made to integrate the historical studies of East Asian history, East Asian archaeology, East Asian ethnic anthropology, and East Asian political science. Furthermore, extensive literature has been discovered, a practice rarely seen among past scholars.Chinese scholars aim to understand the history of Chinese character studies in Japan and systematically sort out the academic context of Japanese scholars’ research on both Chinese and Japanese studies. They fully recognize the theoretical and practical value of the studies, and will further clarify the research objects, framework, and basic objectives of this field, and elaborate on the approaches, methods and feasibility of understanding the history Chinese character studies in Japan. Guided by the theoretical consciousness of the East Asian Chinese character cultural circle, they seek to embark on a practical new path for understanding the history of Chinese character studies in Japan.
Li Wuwei. The Understanding of the History of Chinese Character Studies in Japan and the Awareness of Chinese Character Cultural Circle[J]. JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, 2025, 55(3): 88-102.
2025, Vol. 55 
