日本中心主義書寫與中國神話研究──基於對日本近世國學神話論的考察

Japan-Centrism Discourse and the Research on Chinese Mythology: A Study on the Views of Kokugaku on Mythology in Edo Period

在日本近世，發源於本國古典研究的日本國學在建構日本中心主義言說的過程中對中國神話進行了大量考訂和闡釋。這種對中國神話的關注乃始於本居宣長，他提出了日本神話正統論的主張，將中國神話視為日本神話的「訛傳」。在此基礎上，其門人平田篤胤為編纂出敘事合理的日本神話，網羅了道教典籍中各類神仙傳說，對中國上古帝王、十洲三島、文明之創生等進行了有利於樹立日本中心地位的詮解。這種對中國神話的考論極大影響了後續日本國學者的世界觀念。幕末的大國隆正為對抗西洋的武力和文化入侵，他也將中國神話作為闡釋日本神聖性的重要材料。原本以華夏世界為背景展開的中國神話，在日本近世國學這裡轉化成為書寫其民族中心主義的敘事材料。

In Edo period, scholars of Japanese National Learning (Kokugaku, originating from Japanese classical studies) examined thoroughly and elaborated Chinese mythology in the making of Japan-centrism discourse. Such attention to Chinese mythology began with Motoori Norinaga. He claimed Japanese mythology as orthodox and Chinese mythology as the “false version” of it. Hirata Atutane, a disciple of Motoori Norinaga, based on Motoori's idea, collected various kinds of Taoist myths in order to compile a reasonable narrative of Japanese mythology. His interpretations of Chinese ancient emperors, Ten Continents and Three islands, and the creation of civilization strengthened the faith that Japan was the center of the world. Hirata's research on Chinese mythology had a significant influence on the worldview of the succeeding scholars of Japanese National Learning. Take Ookuni Takamasa as an example. Ookuni also treated Chinese mythology as important materials that could be used to emphasize the holiness of Japan when he confronted the military and cultural invasion from the West at the end of Edo period. Chinese mythology, which took its shape based on Chinese civilization, was converted into narrative materials to support Kokugaku scholars' Japan-centrism discourse.