Fieldwork in Northeast China in 1895 marked the first time Ryūzō Torii utilized a camera to document his anthropological investigations. This early adoption of photography established his reputation as a pioneer in technical methodology, setting a precedent for colleagues like Ushinosuke Mori and moving the focus of research away from the sedentary environment of the study room.
Early Development and Academic Training
Born in 1870 into a merchant family in Tokushima, Torii left school at age seven after completing only the second grade. His early years were defined by an interest in local history and the collection of artifacts. His aptitude for writing about anthropology eventually caught the attention of Tsuboi Shōgorō, a professor at Tokyo Imperial University. Following Tsuboi's guidance, Torii moved to Tokyo at age 20. By 1893, he secured a position as a specimen classifier at the university, marking the start of his formal affiliation with the institution.
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Torii maintained that empirical evidence was essential to anthropology, insisting that investigations should occur in the field. His approach involved a recurring cycle of research, exhibition, and public lecturing. Beyond standard observation, he was an early practitioner of sound recording, utilizing the technology during his studies in Okinawa. His proficiency in eight languages, including Ainu, enabled him to conduct broad investigations across Japan, the Kuril Islands, Taiwan, and Northeast China.
Controversy and Intellectual Pursuits
In 1911, while performing fieldwork in Korea, Torii challenged established interpretations of ancient tombs. He asserted that a specific site classified as a Goguryeo artifact was of Han dynasty origin, a stance that resulted in personal friction with his contemporaries at Tokyo Imperial University. Later in his career, he left the university in 1924 to form his own research institute. He was instrumental in establishing Sophia University in Tokyo, where he handled administrative procedures to elevate the institution to university status.
International Research and Later Years
Torii continued his global research through the 1930s, including excavations of the sambaqui site in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1937 alongside botanist Frederico Lange de Morretes. In 1939, he joined the Harvard–Yenching Institute as an invited professor, conducting further studies in China. He died in 1953 in Tokyo. His legacy is maintained by the Torii Memorial Museum, which was established by Tokushima Prefecture in 1964 and eventually relocated to the Forest of Culture area in 2010.
Fast facts
- Born: 1870, Tokushima
- Died: 1953, Tokyo
- Ph.D. in Anthropology: Tokyo Imperial University, 1921
- Spouse: Kimiko, married 1901
- Fieldwork milestone: First ascent of Taiwan's Mount Niitaka, 1900
- Recognition: Ordre des Palmes Académiques, France, 1920
- Teaching roles: Sophia University, Kokugakuin University, Harvard–Yenching Institute
Questions readers ask
What was the Torii style of research?
It was a three-part process consisting of conducting fieldwork, creating an exhibition of the findings, and delivering public lectures.
Did Ryūzō Torii limit his research to Japan?
No, he conducted extensive fieldwork in China, Taiwan, Korea, Russia, and Brazil.
Achievements
- Held posts at Harvard–Yenching Institute, Kokugakuin University and Sophia University
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