Abstract: In the early Edo Period in Japan, with the rise of Zhuxi's Philosophy, the Ancient Studies scholars headed by Soko Yamaga were opposed to it and advocated returning to the primitive Confucianism. Generally speaking, Confucianism is referred to as the ways of Confucius and Mencius, namely, the thoughts of Confucius and Mencius, but what Soko Yamaga advocated is a retreat into primitive Confucianism professed by Zhou Gongdan and Confucius. Thus it is worth studying Soko Yamagas way of looking at the thoughts of Mencius. To figure out this, the author made very detailed analysis on relevant texts, including the Hiradoshi Yamagake manuscripts collected in the Yamaga Sekidobunko of National Institute of Japanese Literature, Yamaga Soko Zenshu published by Iwanami Hyoten, and Interpunction of Four Books published by Yamaga Soko Sensei Zenshu Kankokai.Based on the above text analysis, the Mencius image in Soko Yamagas philosophical thought was clarified. Then, the author made a further comparison between the thoughts of Soko Yamaga and Mencius, focusing on their ideas of Destiny and Minben Thought, which is of great meaning in understanding the revision and criticism made by the scholars in early Edo Period in their acceptance of Confucianism.

Key words: Soko Yamaga, Mencius, Tianming, Minben Thought