シナに於ける貞節觀念の變遷

Abstract

In the days of Old China, chastity was a duty for women, while a different standard of morality was generally applied to men. Chastity was a female virtue and it had little to do with man's virtue. But fornication was forbidden not only to women but also to men. Especially intercourse with a married woman, widow, or unmarried virgin was punished being considered as criminal, though intercourse with prostitutes was indifferent seen from the penal code. The maintenance of lineage demanded concubines to ensure an heir. In consequence, sexual jealousy was sinful for married women. According to the doctorine of Confucianism, lust is not immoral; but carried to excess, it is wrong. Sexual impurity was scarcely considered a sin in the case of a man; but in the case of a female nothing was held to be more abominable. In and after the days of Ming dynasty, if an unmarried virgin immolates herself to follow her deceased fiance to the grave, an honorary gate shall be erected near the door of the paternal dewelling. In this article we have tried to throw some more light upon the historical development of chinese custom and tradition regarding their sexual morals.