Motoori Norinaga
What later became known as the "kokugaku" tradition began in the 17th and 18th centuries as "kogaku" ("ancient studies"), "wagaku" ("Japanese studies") or "inishie manabi", a term favored by Motoori Norinaga and his school. Drawing heavily from Shinto and Japan's ancient literature, the school looked back to a golden age of culture and society. They drew upon ancient Japanese poetry, predating the rise of medieval Japan's feudal orders in the mid-twelfth century, and other cultural achievements to show the emotion of Japan. One famous emotion appealed to by the "kokugakusha" is 'mono no aware'.