Professor Kishimoto Mio proposed a broad historical vision of “Early Modern East Asia”. This lecture shed light on China from the late 16th century to the early 18th century and how the ordinary people of the time lived amid anxiety and hope. She also presented similar historical patterns experienced in East Asia during the same period to provide global context to the time.

Prof. Kishimoto started with the theme of “Unification of Japan and the Establishment of the Qing Dynasty,” explaining about China at the end of the Ming and the beginning of the Qing periods. She also talked about what was happening in Japan and Southeast Asia in the same period. Based on the fact that external trade relations were limited to the tribute relationship controlled by the government, she pointed out the characteristics of the Ming Dynasty; the Mongol invasion, the silver influx and the activities of wakō, Japanese pirates, led to the formation of trade and war zones in the north and south of East Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries. Prof. Kishimoto used easy-to-understand illustrations to explain the details. She also showed that there were emerging powers around China at the same time. She continued to talk about the patterns of the same kind of history in the same period, drawing in the audience’s attention: “In Japan, the Edo Shogunate lasted for 265 years after the unification of the whole country by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1590, while in China, the Jin Dynasty founded by Jurchen Nurhaci, a Manchu, later became the Qing Dynasty and lasted for 267 years.” In addition to this historical pattern, Prof. Kishimoto presented interesting perspectives on the common features of emerging powers, such as proactive foreign trade, military competition, cross-cultural contact, and strong and pragmatic leadership.

Next, defining the latter half of the 16th century to the first half of the 17th century as a period of turmoil and war, and the late 17th century to the 18th century as a period of establishment and stable new states, Prof. Kishimoto then compared the differences in the characteristics of traditional societies in China and that in Japan from three perspectives: ethnic composition, status and groups, and economic systems. Illustrations of emperors and towns in the Qing dynasty also attracted the attention of the participants.

Finally, Prof. Kishimoto asked, “What historical patterns are common throughout world history?” The question was whether the historical pattern of the late 16th to 18th centuries seen in China and Japan can be also applicable in Europe, leading to the interview session.

Professor Kishimoto had a conversation with Professor Takazawa. Prof. Takazawa specializes in early modern French social history and urban history and has had academic exchanges with Prof. Kishimoto for many years. Prof. Takazawa, who is currently engaged in comparative research of other regions, said that her research activities started after meeting Prof. Kishimoto when she was young. She said, “Talking with researchers from other fields resembles the feeling of seeing a ball coming from an unexpected place and looking up in that direction. It is stimulating to notice things that you have not seen before and to change your preconceived notions.” During this event, they discussed order, an idea that consistently appears in Prof. Kishimoto’s research. The discussion expanded on how order, which is considered appropriate in modern Japanese society, was perceived in early modern France and the end of the Ming and the beginning of the Qing eras. Professor Wakimura presented his views on the socio-economic history of India and the history of Asian economies, which he specializes in, in the discussion. The discussion also compared the role that social status and religion played in shaping social order. Prof. Kishimoto said, “We can learn about the expansive world outside our own culture, discuss it, and rethink our society. I hope it will be one of the stepping stones for us to review our society by discussing and sharing our knowledge.” The lively interview continued until the very end of the session.