Miyaoi Yasuo

Miyaoi Yasuo (宮負定雄; 1797–1858) was a Japanese rural intellectual, village headman, and writer from Matsuzawa Village in Katori District, Shimousa Province (present-day Asahi City, Chiba Prefecture). He is known for Kidan zasshi (奇談雑史, A Collection of Strange Tales), a compilation of strange tales written in 1858 that challenges the Confucian moral hierarchy placing humans above animals.

Life and background

Miyaoi was born into a farming household in Matsuzawa Village, a long-established agricultural community appearing in records as early as the twelfth century. He served as village headman and participated in local governance. He described the village as "remote" and portrayed himself as a farmer who had worked in the fields since childhood. He also took pride in practical learning related to agricultural administration and engaged in publishing activities, criticising literary and poetic pursuits as not constituting genuine learning. His self-identification as a farmer was not merely a simple occupational label but rather a stance opposing urban literary intellectuals.