This article is in four parts. Part one deals with the Commentaries on the Shipin, which marks the beginning of Japanese studies in the Shipin since the ninth century. Part two introduces the organisation of the "Shipin Study Group." Part three is a general survey of contemporary Shipin studies in Japan, in the areas of textual criticism, commentaries and scholarly publications. Part four concludes with reflections of how Chinese scholars can draw from the Japanese experience: (1) worldwide perspectives; (2) new concepts of research; (3) teamwork spirit.