The Academy and the Tsugaru Disciples
This chapter chronicles the formation of the Tsugaru group of posthumous Hirata disciples and highlights Tsuruya Ariyo's efforts as a leader. This circle was devoted to poetry composition, the study of the Ancient Way, and worship of their late teacher's spirit, while retaining some scholarly autonomy. It explores the local intellectuals' association of their own “country” of Tsugaru to a larger nation of Japan by both engaging Hirata kokugaku and joining a national network. The chapter also details Ariyos' debate with Kikuchi Masahisa, a senior member of the academy from the neighboring rival domain of Morioka, on how to correctly interpret Japan's myths and Master Hirata Atsutane's teachings. Ultimately, the chapter explains how Ariyo was regarded within the Hirosaki domain as a townsperson of relatively low social standing, albeit, one of considerable cultural achievement.