記憶される「地域」 : 丁治棠「仕隠齋渉筆」の世界

Abstract

Ding Zhitang 丁治棠 (1837-1902), who was from Hezhou 合州, Chongqing in Sichuan, composed the pre-modern novel Shi-yin-zhai she-bi 仕隱齋渉筆. A classic example of the local elite, Ding's official post was no more than that of an educator, and spent nearly his entire life without leaving Sichuan. Precisely because of this fact, the pre-modern novel Shi-yin-zhai she-bi, which he penned in the last year of his life contains various "rumors" that circulated in society of Sichuan the late Qing. One can see a certain commonality among the strange "rumors, " whose authenticity were not immediately apparent, recorded in the Shi-yin-zhai she-bi. This is that from local bureaucrat on down to peasant farmer, whoever be the chief actor, there existed a manner of telling tales that recounted that good works could cause miracles that saved people from disaster. At time when the tremors that shook Qing rule became obvious even to those in local society, it was unthinkable that the political authorities might provide a method for salvation from the turmoil and danger facing the general social order. The method for realizing miraculous salvation which at first glance to be so round-about could only be sought in the will arising within each individual to perform good deeds. However, in order that good deeds be linked to salvation, it was believed that the will to do good deeds must be pure and overflow naturally from within the individual. Accounts of "rumors" of miracles triggered by good deeds were conveyed by networks of local elites, and it is thought that at the core of these elites were the educators whose function was to circulate throughtout Sichuan. The narrative of good deeds triggering miracles recorded in the Shi-yin-zhai she-bi reflects both the consciousness of a desire for order of the local elite and moral injunction designed to promote good in local society.