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‘Joseon’ and ‘Japan’ in Isyou Nihonden(『異稱日本傳』)

  • Journal of Korean Literature
  • 2022, (46), pp.181-224
  • DOI : 10.52723/JKL.46.181
  • Publisher : The Society Of Korean Literature
  • Research Area : Humanities > Korean Language and Literature
  • Received : September 30, 2022
  • Accepted : November 10, 2022
  • Published : November 30, 2022

Jin Lihua 1

1중국광동외어외무대학 남국상학원

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the relevant situations of “Joseon” and “Japan” in Isyou Nihonden(『異稱日本傳』). This book was compiled by the scholar Matsushita Kenrin(松下見林) in the Edo era. Kenrin had written and compiled in various fields, including history, Shinto(神道), emperor’s mausoleum, customs, official history, Japanese linguistics, bibliography, Shijing(詩經), medicine, enlightenment pedagogy. However, all of his achievements were aimed at “Japanese research,” and there was a strong Japanese-centered academic tendency. Article 529 of articles related to Japan was included in the Isyou Nihonden. All were quoted from 15 ancient books of the Joseon. In addition, according to the contained literature and items, there are about 252 Anseol(按說) expressing the author’s historical or subjective views. Japan’s historical image is represented by Japanese pirates through articles related to Japan in the documented Joseon. Their images had come to be seen as extortionate and uncivilized. In response to these records, Kenrin(見林) chosed an academic form called Anseol to respond. He denied some of the records in the Joseon literature and tried to correct them from the standpoint of his country. He also attempted to despise Joseon and raise Japan’s status through the Anseol. Kenrin’s view of Joseon was radical and extreme. Compared to Japanese scholars who were active at the same time, the biggest characteristic of the Kenrin’s perception of Joseon was that it was closely attached to the Joseon literature. His method of historical examination had a poor side. However, it was meaningful that Japanese intellectuals at that time showed a different side of their perception of Joseon.

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