流求與「流求論」

Liu-k’iu and“Liu-k’iu Hypotheses”

所謂「流求論」是關於中國中古時期文獻所稱的流求國之所在的論辯，是指明清兩代的琉球，亦即今之沖繩，還是指臺灣，或者兼含這兩個地方。這是150年來曾經激辯過而至今仍然沒有定論，還有不少人繼續論述的史學課題。
流求之所在，這個大歷史中的小課題，不限於學院內的論辯，也涉及現實的政治紛爭。《隋書》流求國傳的民族誌資料和隋帝國入侵的歷史，不只為史記闕如的臺灣和琉球（沖繩）填補歷史空白，甚至是她們文獻歷史的開始，也牽動臺灣、沖繩以及中國、日本的主權和領土的主張，經常反映在培養國民史觀的歷史教育上。
本文追本溯源，主要分疏琉球說、臺灣說和混合說三大派學者的歸類與傳承，他們論證根據的有效度，研究方法的特點與缺失，尤其指出在實證研究之下，潛藏於心內的主觀意識可能左右他們的客觀論證。
流求論辯，政治上固然一言可決，學術上在強而有力的新資料出土之前，恐怕難解。本文沒有在三派中選一邊站，毋寧藉這個大歷史的小課題指出歷史學從表層透及內裡的複雜性。
由於中國傳統對於海洋的陌生，即使有少數記載亦多模糊不清，如果勉強要追問我對流求具體態度，我認為明代以前大可不必強求確切的所在。

The so-called“Liu-k’iu Hypotheses”relates to the arguments in medieval Chinese classics on the geographical location and whereabout of the state of Liu-k’iu, whether it’s referencing the modern day Okinawa, derived from the narrative developed since Ming and Qing Dynasties, or Taiwan, or both, this is a topic of intense discussion of the past a century and half without a definite conclusion to this day, and an ongoing one in the field of history.
It is however, a small topic embodied in the grand scope of history as it doesn’t confine itself within the realm of academia, it also invokes disputes as far as realpolitik is concerned. The classic references of the invasion of Sui Empire in Book of Sui not only filled the historical void left since historical records on Taiwan and Okinawa, in a sense it also affects the sovereignty and territorial claims concerning China, Japan and Taiwan. This unique phenomenon has consequently reflected on the education and the development of historical viewpoints of these nations.
Through exploring their origins and dissecting the academic disciplines and fundamental methods involved in forming their respective narratives, as well as discovering the hidden agendas within the subconsciousness, this thesis is a study of the major three hypotheses concerning this issue, the“okinawa hypothesis”,“the Taiwan hypothesis”, and the“hybrid hypothesis”.
The argument, from a political point of view, it can be determined imminently. As for academic aspiration, without the evidences of new and unseen materials, it remains unsolved. This thesis does not take sides, conversely it aims to reflect the complexity and intrinsically involved in this historical argument.
Due to the unfamiliarity and taboo imbued in the Chinese tradition towards sea and ocean, the studies have been scarce and opaque in the past. If my actual standpoint is to be rendered, I would say that we don’t have to forcibly pinpoint the exact location before Ming Dynasty.