Alfonso Falero
Encyclopedia
Alfonso J. Falero Folgoso is a Spanish japanologist
born in Granada
in 1959. He is an expert on the history of Japanese thinking
, the Shintō
religion and the history of Ancient Japan
.
at the University of Granada
(Spain). He was researching in order to finish his Ph.D. dissertation (Sobre la Fenomenología Kantiana
(“On Kant's Phenomenology”), unpublished dissertation) when he went to Japan
, and he lived there for a long period, working in different fields. After returning briefly to Europe, he went back to Japan and for a period of ten years he studied Japanese language at Ōsaka Foreign Studies University and later History of Japanese thinking at Tokyo
's Kokugakuin University
, one of the most prestigious schools in the field of Japanese Classical Studies. At this University he obtained a Ph.D. degree with a dissertation, originally written in Japanese language (The Christian and Shintō Idea of Sin (“tsumi”); a Comparative Approach). He became the first foreign national to obtain such a degree at a Japanese university on this field of studies. His adviser was professor Kenji Ueda
, the most prestigious Shintō's studies scholar at that time.
When he returned to his native country he became head and founder of the Oriental Studies Section at the University of Salamanca
, one of the only three Spanish universities where this degree is offered.
Alfonso Falero is amongst the most prominent Spanish japanologists alive and one of the leading authorities in the field of Shinto Studies outside Japan.
Japanology
Japanese Studies is a term generally used in Europe to describe the historical and cultural study of Japan; in North America, the academic field is usually referred to as Japanese studies, which includes contemporary social sciences as well as classical humanistic fields.European Japanology is the...
born in Granada
Granada
Granada is a city and the capital of the province of Granada, in the autonomous community of Andalusia, Spain. Granada is located at the foot of the Sierra Nevada mountains, at the confluence of three rivers, the Beiro, the Darro and the Genil. It sits at an elevation of 738 metres above sea...
in 1959. He is an expert on the history of Japanese thinking
Culture of Japan
The culture of Japan has evolved greatly over the millennia, from the country's prehistoric Jōmon period to its contemporary hybrid culture, which combines influences from Asia, Europe and North America...
, the Shintō
Shinto
or Shintoism, also kami-no-michi, is the indigenous spirituality of Japan and the Japanese people. It is a set of practices, to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present day Japan and its ancient past. Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written...
religion and the history of Ancient Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
Biography
Alfonso Falero obtained a degree on the History of PhilosophyHistory of philosophy
The history of philosophy is the study of philosophical ideas and concepts through time. Issues specifically related to history of philosophy might include : How can changes in philosophy be accounted for historically? What drives the development of thought in its historical context? To what...
at the University of Granada
University of Granada
The University of Granada is a public university located in Granada, Spain that enrolls approximately 80,000 students. The university also has campuses in Ceuta and Melilla. Every year, over 2,000 European students enroll in the UGR through the Erasmus Programme, making it the most popular...
(Spain). He was researching in order to finish his Ph.D. dissertation (Sobre la Fenomenología Kantiana
Immanuel Kant
Immanuel Kant was a German philosopher from Königsberg , researching, lecturing and writing on philosophy and anthropology at the end of the 18th Century Enlightenment....
(“On Kant's Phenomenology”), unpublished dissertation) when he went to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, and he lived there for a long period, working in different fields. After returning briefly to Europe, he went back to Japan and for a period of ten years he studied Japanese language at Ōsaka Foreign Studies University and later History of Japanese thinking at Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
's Kokugakuin University
Kokugakuin University
Kokugakuin University is a private university, whose main office is located in Tokyo's Shibuya district...
, one of the most prestigious schools in the field of Japanese Classical Studies. At this University he obtained a Ph.D. degree with a dissertation, originally written in Japanese language (The Christian and Shintō Idea of Sin (“tsumi”); a Comparative Approach). He became the first foreign national to obtain such a degree at a Japanese university on this field of studies. His adviser was professor Kenji Ueda
Kenji Ueda
Kenji Ueda is a Japanese rock musician and producer. He is known for his solo work, as well as his work with Kenzi & The Trips and The Pillows.-Early life and influences:...
, the most prestigious Shintō's studies scholar at that time.
When he returned to his native country he became head and founder of the Oriental Studies Section at the University of Salamanca
University of Salamanca
The University of Salamanca is a Spanish higher education institution, located in the town of Salamanca, west of Madrid. It was founded in 1134 and given the Royal charter of foundation by King Alfonso IX in 1218. It is the oldest founded university in Spain and the third oldest European...
, one of the only three Spanish universities where this degree is offered.
Fields of Research
His work at the University of Salamanca is centered on:- Research on Ancient Japanese thinking (to the Nara PeriodNara periodThe of the history of Japan covers the years from AD 710 to 794. Empress Gemmei established the capital of Heijō-kyō . Except for 5 years , when the capital was briefly moved again, it remained the capital of Japanese civilization until Emperor Kammu established a new capital, Nagaoka-kyō, in 784...
). - Popularization of Japanese Studies to the Spanish general public.
- Lately he has been involved on the study and promotion of new Japanese literature, especially the work of Masahiko ShimadaMasahiko Shimadais a Japanese writer. He began his career as a novelist by describing himself as sayoku . In his works, he often refers to the Emperor and to the Japanese Royal Family. Recently, he began to write poems.-Biography:...
.
Alfonso Falero is amongst the most prominent Spanish japanologists alive and one of the leading authorities in the field of Shinto Studies outside Japan.
Main Bibliography
- The Christian and Shintō Idea of Sin ("tsumi"); a Comparative Approach
- Aproximación a la cultura japonesa
- Aproximación al Shintoísmo
- El legado de Francisco XavierFrancis XavierFrancis Xavier, born Francisco de Jasso y Azpilicueta was a pioneering Roman Catholic missionary born in the Kingdom of Navarre and co-founder of the Society of Jesus. He was a student of Saint Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits, dedicated at Montmartre in 1534...
(1549–1999)