新舊交替──論楚國文字構形的時代特徵

The Transition from Old to New: Epochal Distinctions in Character Configuration within Chu Territory

隨著時間持續推移，漢字的形體結構，一直處於變動不居的狀態。同一個字的各種構形，自然而然地，均已烙上所屬時代的印記。按理推想，從歷史發展的觀點來看，詳細觀察一個字各種構形的時代分佈狀況，不僅可以勾勒出該字構形發展的演變歷程，還可從中篩選出時代印記比較鮮明的特殊構形，做為研究相關出土文物的斷代標尺。為了落實前述構想，本論文即以楚國文字為範圍，從中挑選十九個例字，觀察這些例字的各種構形，將之區分為舊體和新體兩類，並進一步考證新體形成的年代，以及新舊二種變遷的時程。最後再運用那些時代印記比較鮮明的新體，針對鑄造時空背景不詳的「羅高之官壺」，深入探討該器斷代、分域和銘文通讀方面的問題，斷定該壺為戰國中晚期的楚國器。

The formal structures of word-characters have undergone continuous change through the ages. Naturally, configurations of each word-character in early China may be traced to a certain period by the distinct epochal markers present in every configuration. By examining the appearance of various configurations of a single word-character in different ages, we are able to outline the entire process of the historical transfiguration of that word-character. This also allows us to bring to light specific configurations that are strikingly characteristic of the epoch in which they first appeared; these configurations could serve as epistemic markers for the dating of archaeological finds that contain word-characters. In this essay, I sort nineteen Chu-territory word-characters by their individual configurations into two groups: new style characters and old style characters. I then go on to analyze when the new style formed and how it came to replace the old style. Finally, using the markers characteristic of the new style identified in the first part of this paper, I will determine the periodization, and the geographic distribution, of ''Luo-Gao-Zhi-Guan Jar'', the historical and geographical background of which we understand very little. I will also present an analysis of the textual inscription on the Jar and the episteme alluded to in the inscription. Given the information available at present, I have concluded that the ''Luo-Gao-ZhiGuan Jar'' was a utensil from the Chu territory that dates from the mid to late Warring States period.