大学共同利用機関法人 人間文化研究機構　国立民族学博物館

Objectives

In recent years we have seen a sharp rise in “hyphenated anthropology” in which embellishments such as ‘medical’ or ‘development’ are added to the term ‘anthropology’. This rise has led to thoughtful discussion, including also related areas of research and practice. This kind of research often results in fragmented division into certain areas according to the schema of contemporary intellectual criticism reigning in a particular discipline. The result is a tendency for descriptions to focus solely on teleological behavior. This research project seeks to recapture the original appeal of ethnographic research, that is, with those involved approaching the field from various standpoints and interests, including non-target behavior, to return to the viewpoint that allows us to capture the entirety of progress both diachronically and synchronically. The objective is to discover common bases that will allow anthropologists to be involved in areas belonging to other disciplines.

This research project, therefore, pays attention to “attitude”, which is the preparation or emotional tendency for our response regarding the target and related conditions. We are especially aware of any “letting go attitude” (overlooking, connivance, dodging, resignation and other stances) or “a bogged down attitude” (overly concerned, inflexible, distressed and other stances) in on-the-spot developments. These attitudes from individuals involved need to be found through special language expressions, emotional interaction and the experiences of the researcher himself or herself. Then such forms of behavior, both related and unrelated to the purpose, should be described and corrected to pursue the goal, in an attempt to reapproach an ethnography of immediate totality. Through such work, anthropology can discover common bases for involvement with other disciplines.