Kameoka opens museum on Edo ethics and sustainable business

Kameoka City in Kyoto Prefecture will open a museum on Monday, 1 September, dedicated to the Edo-period philosopher Ishida Baigan, whose teachings on ethics and commerce are finding new relevance in today’s discourse on corporate social responsibility and sustainable living.

The Ishida Baigan Memorial Museum, built on the philosopher’s birthplace, is designed to be a new hub for community interaction and lifelong learning. A completion ceremony is scheduled for 31 August, coinciding with the city’s 70th anniversary and the 340th anniversary of Baigan’s birth.

Ishida Baigan (1685-1744) was the founder of Sekimon Shingaku, a moral philosophy intended not for intellectuals but for the common person. The philosophy promotes a practical “learning of the heart”, encouraging individuals to recognise their inherent goodness and cultivate it through the virtues of honesty, diligence, and frugality. Baigan argued that a person’s true worth lies in their sincerity, not their social status or wealth, which was a revolutionary idea in the strict hierarchy of feudal Japan.

The museum aims to connect these historical teachings to contemporary challenges. Baigan taught that a merchant’s profit is a legitimate reward for enriching society, and their work is as noble as that of a samurai. This principle resonates with modern concepts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), where businesses are expected to generate social value alongside profit.

Furthermore, his advocacy for frugality is interpreted as a precursor to modern sustainability. The philosophy promotes the idea of valuing things, eliminating waste, and channelling resources towards what is truly necessary, which aligns with current efforts to combat mass consumption and preserve the environment.

To celebrate its opening, the museum will host a series of events. A special exhibition, “Ishida Baigan: The Formation and Development of Shingaku,” will run from 4 October to 24 November, featuring portraits and calligraphy from Baigan’s descendants.

A symposium on 12 October will feature a keynote speech by Kyoto University Professor Emeritus Tsujimoto Masashi, followed by a discussion with business leaders on the modern application of Baigan’s thought. The museum will also offer guided tours of the area and walking tours that trace the philosopher’s path. The opening ceremony will feature a local children’s choir and a performance of a modern interpretation of the traditional Akudama Odori dance.