從甲骨金文看「瞽」、「万」的文化特色與相關問題

The Characteristics and Relevant Issues of“Ku”and“Wan”In the Oracle and Bronze Inscriptions

中國古代有一類熟習音律的樂師，供職于王廷、貴族世家，稱作「瞽」，卜辭顯示早在商代他們便已十分活躍。所謂「瞽者善聽，聾者善觀」，對樂聲的敏感使他們在掌樂時比正常人有著優勢。而對音律、樂器的掌握，使瞽者幾乎成了樂師的代名詞，其中少數由於天賦異稟，被認為能夠溝通天人，受到統治階層信任。此外，尚有一類人在古代也是以掌握音樂技藝著稱，他們就是「万者」。甲骨、金文顯示，此族群同樣在商代以音樂謀生，職業認同延續千年之久。他們以音樂表演為本質，與瞽者類似，尤其以演奏樂器著稱，可說「瞽」、「万」同為先秦音樂文化的兩大支柱；但若細辨，兩者又存在著一些本質上的重大歧異，其中涉及面向較廣，牽涉政治制度、文化傳播與變遷等議題。

In ancient China, some talented musicians, called “Ku”, served in the court and the nobilities. With the inscriptions, they were very lively in the early Shang dynasty. So called, “Ku (the blind) good at hearing, Long (the deaf) good at watching.” When playing music, the Ku showed more sensitive advantages of hearing than the normal people. Acquainting with the rhythm and instruments, the Ku almost became the pronoun of excellent musicians. Among them, some talents were trusted by the lords, believing them connecting with gods. Besides, same from the inscriptions, there were other talented musicians, “Wan.” Primarily, both of them lived on playing musical instruments; their career lasted for a thousand years. Truly, both Ku and Wan played the very important roles in the musical culture of the Qian Qin. If further scrutinizing, there are some important distinctions elementally; involving the wide aspects of political system, cultural communications and transformations.