9.July.2016 “Preserving tradition and clans”
Mr. Katsuyuki Mizuno, the executive director of Kasumi Kaikan (formerly Kazoku Kaikan).

Mr.Katsuyuki Mizuno : The descendant of Mizuno clan from Shimousa Yuki-han , formerly Kariya-han and Bingo Fukuyama-han. The 20th family head of Mizuno formerly viscount family. The executive director of Kasumi Kaikan (formerly Kazoku Kaikan).

For our July forum, we invited Katsuyuki Mizuno, who is the 20th family head of Mizuno formerly viscount family and the executive director of Kasumi Kaikan (formerly Kazoku Kaikan). He gave us a talk about “preserving tradition and clans.” Knowing about Kazoku, the lecture went on to the meaning of reviewing ourselves by knowing about our clans.

The lecture provided us with a rare opportunity for learning society which we really did not know. The lecture consisted of three parts: the history and the significance of Kazoku; the activities of Kasumi Kaikan; and the meaning of knowing about our clans. Kazoku system was established after British system in 1874 and lasted until 1947, when Constitution of Japan was enacted. He talked about the ranks of Kazoku and Kunkō, which was a merit for non-Kazoku to be recognized as Kazoku. I was impressed by the idea of Kazoku, which was originally Kuge, Daimyō and Buke, defending the emperor is a part of roles of Kazoku. Coincidentally, we witnessed a big argument of revising The Imperial Household Law just a week after the lecture. Thanks to the lecture, I strongly felt the close relationship between Kazoku and Imperial House of Japan.

Formerly Kazoku Kaikan, a traditional club from Meiji era, restarted as “a general incorporated association Kasumi Kaikan” along with the abolishment of Kazoku system. Kasumi Kaikan is working mainly for preserving Japanese traditional culture with networking among members. Sometimes it holds a dinner party only for formerly Kazoku members. I felt admiration for Kasumi Kaikan contributing to preserve and disseminate Japanese culture such as Emondō, Gagaku, Kemari, Waka and Kōdō. Mr.Mizuno said, “Family members of formerly Kazoku generally have a strong sense for their clans compared to ordinary people. We can get to know ourselves by learning our families and clans.” It stroke me that no matter which we are formerly Kazoku or not, it would be important to be aware of families and clans which passed to us in terms of identifying ourselves. At the end of the lecture, Mr. Mizuno answered questions from students and helped us understand deeply about the lecture.

In the discussion session, we all discussed what clan is and preserving clan is. Some argued less importance of the duty for preserving clan because of modern lifestyle in which we are not usually aware of our clans. On the other hand, others argued that we still had to preserve our clans for our descendants because a clan was a key element for our identities. An international student said that the significance of clans as an identity has strengthened in the present globalized world in which the meaning of nationality has been diluted.

I would like to appreciate Mr. Mizuno’s giving the lecture to us on behalf of KIP members. Thank you.

(Kentaro Miyakawa )

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