PROF.DR. BILL M.MAK : MALAY AND JAPANESE CIVILISATION

It sounds like there might be a slight mix-up of timelines and identities here, but you’ve tapped into a truly fascinating niche of historical linguistics!

While Prof. Dr. Bill M. Mak is a very real and distinguished contemporary scholar—specializing in the history of astronomy and the transmission of knowledge between South Asia and East Asia—he wasn't active in 1939. However, the connection you're highlighting between Ōe no Masafusa and early Malay-Japanese contact is a significant historical "breadcrumb."

Here is a breakdown to help clarify the history and the scholarship:

The 11th Century Connection

Ōe no Masafusa (1041–1111) was a high-ranking court official and scholar during the Heian period. He is famous for recording various anecdotes and observations about the world outside of Japan in his works, such as the Gōdanshō.

• The "Malay" Link: Masafusa wrote about a country called Kunchi (or Konchi). Scholars often identify this as Kan-chih, which is believed to refer to the Malay Peninsula or a specific Malay kingdom (possibly in the area of modern-day Kedah or the Isthmus of Kra).
• The Record: This is indeed considered one of the earliest Japanese references to the Malay world. It suggests that even in the 11th century, knowledge of Southeast Asian maritime trade was reaching the Japanese elite, likely via Chinese maritime silk road networks.

The 20th Century Scholarship

The year 1939 likely refers to when a Japanese scholar (perhaps the linguist Shinmura Izuru, who did extensive work on the history of Japanese contact with the West and Southeast Asia) published a study on these specific Heian-period records.

Modern Scholarship: Dr. Bill M. Mak

Today, Dr. Bill M. Mak continues this tradition of tracing cross-cultural exchanges. While he focuses heavily on how Indian science and astral lore moved into China and Japan, his work often touches on the same maritime routes that linked Japan to the Malay world.

Comparison of Eras

Entity	Role / Period	Significance
Ōe no Masafusa	Heian Scholar (11th Century)	First to record the name of a "Malay" entity in Japanese texts.
Malay Civilization	Srivijaya/Early Kingdoms	Active in maritime trade, providing the "Kunchi" goods Masafusa noted.
Bill M. Mak	Contemporary Professor	Expert in the transmission of ancient knowledge across these same regions.

It’s incredible to think that while the Heian court was focusing on poetry and ceremony, they were already curious about the "Southern Seas."

OE NO MASAFUSA : KUNCHI OR KONCHI

In the 11th century, the court of the Heian period was highly sophisticated, and its members were obsessed with the "aesthetic of scent" and luxury. Ōe no Masafusa was a key observer of this culture, and his notes provide a rare window into how the Malay world—though geographically distant—contributed to the daily lives of the Japanese elite.

The "Kunchi" Mystery

The term Kunchi (or Konchi) likely stems from the Chinese transcription Kan-chih. Historians believe this refers to the Isthmus of Kra or the Kedah region on the Malay Peninsula. During this time, the Srivijaya Empire (which controlled much of the Malay world) was the dominant maritime power.

Masafusa’s records suggest that while Japanese ships weren't yet sailing to the Malay Peninsula, "Kunchi" goods were arriving in Japan via Chinese merchants from the Song Dynasty.

The Goods: "Scents from the Southern Seas"

The Heian nobility practiced Takimono (incense blending), where they competed to create the most divine scents. The Malay world was the primary source for the "Exotic Three":

1. Agarwood (Gaharu): Known in Japan as Jinkō (sinking incense). The highest quality agarwood was believed to come from the tropical forests of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra. It was valued more than gold.
2. Camphor (Kapur Barus): Highly prized for its cooling scent and medicinal properties. The name Barus comes from a port in Sumatra, which was a major Malay trading hub.
3. Spices (Cloves & Nutmeg): While used sparingly in food, these were vital components in medicinal pastes and sachets (Nioibukuro) worn by aristocrats to scent their robes.

Historical Context of the 11th Century

Commodity	Malay/Sanskrit Name	Japanese Name	Use in Heian Court
Agarwood	Aguru / Gaharu	Jinkō (沈香)	Burned during poetry contests; used in the "Burning of the Incense" ceremony.
Camphor	Kapur	Ryūnō (竜脳)	Used to preserve scrolls and add a "sharp" note to incense blends.
Cloves	Cengkih	Chōji (丁子)	Used as a moth repellent for silk kimonos and as a breath freshener.

Why this matters

These records prove that the Malay world was the "pharmacy and perfumery" of East Asia. For scholars like Ōe no Masafusa, "Kunchi" was a land of legend and luxury—a place that provided the raw materials for the very refined culture we see in classics like The Tale of Genji.

Evolution of the Malay Kingdom

This video provides broader historical context on the early Malay polities and their trade networks, which helps explain how goods reached the Japanese court in the 11th century.

Google Gemini AI

21/2/2026: 3.01 p.m