中國研究における實學的先驅 : 河島醇書翰を中心として

Abstract

At the beginning of the Meiji era the traditional Japanese school of Chinese studies became the object of severe critism as a result of the introduction of western method of learning and science, and the culminating point of criticism was reached in 1887 by Soho Tokutomi. At about the same time Jyun Kawashima who was then staying in Germany wrote a letter in which he described the international, especially Far Eastern, situation--Sino-Japanese relations--and urged his country-men to acquire more concrete knowledge about China and the Chinese people instead of old-fashioned Kangaku (sinology). He insisted in adopting "universal sinology" in the middle school curriculum, declaring "it is an urgent necessity to educate promising young Japanese not only in the political institutions and military strength of China but even in the customs and usages of the Chinese people." He attacked the prejudices of the old theoretical school of Chinese studies, advocating a new method of chinese studies with a view to developing an objective method of studying China. There are, of course, some weak points in his view, but it is interest to observe how Kawashima who had been educated in "kangaku." or the traditional Japdnese school of Chinese studies became to advocate the modern western method of studies.