Historical Reflections on the Construction of Nation-States in Asia

Zhang Jian

Abstract:Since modern times, Asian countries have entered into the process of modernization. How to choose their road to modernization is such a big problem that it has bearings on the success or failure of their modernization constructions. As the option of the mode of a nation-state, whether copying the Western mode of “one nation, one religion and one state” or constructing their own mode of “multi-nation, one religion and multi-state”or “multi-nation, multi-religion and one state”, different countries give different answers, and the advantages and liabilities of these choices are the topic of this paper.

Key words:Asia, nation-state, religion, modernization

An Aloof Thinker: In Memory of Tetsuya Kinoshita

Chen Xiaojie

Abstract:Tetsuya Kinoshita is one of the best researchers of theZhuziSchool in contemporary Japan. This paper picks up two representative articles for an introduction to our Chinese readers. In the “Mirror, Light and Ghosts”, Kinoshita takes the phenomenon of reflecting objects in the mirror as the starting point, discusses the mind as a synonym of “illuminating one’s virtue”(mingde) in Zhuxi’s eyes, and extends his analysis to a series of problems. In the “The Scholar-bureaucrat in Battle”, he examines people’s living situation in the Song dynasty,giving historical significance to Zhuzi School’s dominant idea of “renewing people”(xinmin). In sum, Kinoshita not only has a high theoretical proficiency and problem consciousness, but also is able to handle well various texts and documents. Furthermore, he has a deep understanding of the historical and philosophical context.

Key words:Tetsuya Kinoshita,ZhuziSchool,Zhuxi Zaidu,Zhuzixue de Weizhi

Thomas Francis Wade and China

Zhang Kun, Wang Baohong

Abstract:Thomas Francis Wade, the British minister who lived in China for more than 40 years, participated in many important affairs in modern Chinese history. As a Sinologist, he used his understanding of Chinese culture to compel the Chinese to accept Whitehall’s policy. He tried to enlarge British merchants’ rights and privileges in China, demanding the Qing government to fulfill its treaty obligations. As the representative of a powerful country, he intervened in Chinese foreign affairs which went beyond the Sino-British relations. Wade urged the Qing government to reform for the long-run benefit of British interest in China. He had, moreover, impact on China’s modernization drive.

Key words:Thomas Francis Wade, China, Anglo-Chinese relation

Pavlovskaya’s Study onThe New Edition of Tales on the Five Dynasties

Cheng Wenyan

Abstract:Russian sinologist L. K. Pavlovskaya calls the Chinesepinghua“folk historical novels”. She not only makes a detailed analysis of the historical sources, time of writing, narrative structure and the use of official documents inThe New Edition of Tales on the Five Dynastiesthrough the method of emendatory textual criticism,but also has an in-depth inquiry into its ideological connotations. This article introduces Pavlovskaya’s study and evaluates her contribution to research in the field ofpinghuain the Song and Yuan Dynasties.

On the Study ofLiaozhai zhiyiTranslated by Soviet Sinologist Alexeev

Wang Ye

Abstract:Alexeev is one of the greatest Sinologists in the Soviet Union. His translation ofLiaozhai zhiyiis well-known for its faithfulness and gracefulness, and is considered as the most canonical and influential version in the Russian world. The study of this translation could offer a feasible way and mode of criticism for the translation of classical Chinese literature. Modern translation theory asserts that translation criticism should not be confined to the linguistic level and ought to pay more attention to the logic behind the translation. An analysis of Alexeev’s translation of this Chinese classic would contribute to clarifying his thoughts on translation and their sources. In addition, this study would also be significant for the rediscovery of “Self” through “the Other” and for cultural construction in the new era.

Key words:Sinologist Alexeev, Russian translation ofLiaozhai zhiyi, thoughts on translation

The Study of the Interpretation Problems in Rubruck’s Mission to the Mongols

Yao Bin

Abstract:Quite a few researchers have focused on the cross-cultural and historical significance of Rubruck’s mission to the Mongols. However, seldom has any research touched upon the indispensable role of interpreters bridging Rubruck and his Mongolian interlocutors. This article, on the basis of Rubruck’s account of the trip, identifies a variety of difficult situations arising from lacking of competent interpreters. Furthermore, by comparing two interpreters with different levels of language and cultural proficiency, the author tries to make clear that the basic criteria for a qualified interpreter remains the same throughout ages and across cultures.

Key words:Rubruck’s Mission, cross-cultural interpreter,The Journey of William of Rubruck

A Study of the Marriage Customs of Portuguese Descendants in Macau in the Ming and Qing Dynasties

Yan Xuelian

Abstract:In Macau, the Portuguese descendants’ marriage customs were based on Catholic practices in the Ming and Qing dynasties, such as the wedding ceremony being conducted by a priest, monogamy, and freedom of marriage. In addition, it contained the customs of the Iberian Peninsula; for instance, the bride presenting a ring to the bridegroom, a male’s marriageable age being over14, same-surname marriage being allowable, and so on.These were totally different from the Chinese customs. There are many historical records about the Portuguese descendants’ marriage customs in Chinese documents, but with much cultural misreading. We have to analysis these Chinese historical records with reference to the historical material in other foreign languages. Moreover,they were also influenced by Eastern culture, such as Chinese and Malaysian customs. At the juncture of the Ming and Qing dynasties, many Chinese men married into and lived with their Portuguese brides’ families.

Key words:Portuguese descendants, monogamy, freedom of marriage, marry into and live with one’s bride’s family, Ming and Qing dynasties

Chinese Culture in South Asia: Historical Records and Implications

Tong Jiameng

Abstract:The cultural interaction between China and South Asia can be traced back to ancient times, which left many valuable historical records in ancient classics from which we can inspect the relations between Chinese culture and South Asia. Since modern times, there have appeared many research results on such cultural exchange.By analyzing these historical records, related academic writings and research results, this article tries to throw some light on their implications.

试验地设改良区和对照区2个处理，3次重复。采用中国农业大学改良种植技术，改良区和对照区施肥种类有区别，但折算成等氮量施用。改良区撒施改良剂22 500 kg/hm2后深翻磙耙，覆膜时用覆膜播种施肥机深施989控久丰控释肥600 kg/hm2；对照区不施改良剂，覆膜时深施磷酸二铵375 kg/hm2。

Key Words:Chinese culture, South Asia, cultural exchange

Studies onYuanSanquand their Authors in the English-speaking World

Li Anguang

Abstract:The study of the writers of YuanSanquand their works in the English-speaking world, in the form of both monographs and individual papers, mainly focuses on the dramatists Kuan Yun-shih [Guan Yunshi] and Zhang Yanghao, and touches on Zhang Kejiu, Ma Zhiyuan and Feng Zizhen as well. R. J. Lynn collects and does textual research on the historical materials related to the life and writing experiences of Guan Yunshi, and conducts a detailed analysis of the language of his works in terms of allusion, imagery, symbol, diction and expression. Through the deliberation of textual research of historical materials, J. I. Crump deconstructs the socalled Zhang Yanghao’s sublimation held by Zheng Qian. And Linda Greenhouse Wang, together with Chun-jo Liu, also deepens and enriches the study of Zhang Kejiu and Ma Zhiyuan from different aspects. Their studies are of great significance and value for their unique perspectives, valuable conclusions as well as their analyses of the translations. But there is still much room for improvement for the scholars in the English-speaking world in their further expansion of this research field.

Key words:English-speaking world,Yuan Sanqu, difference and value

The Decline of Buddhism in Turfan during the Ming Dynasty

Yao Sheng

Abstract:Buddhism in the Chinese Western Region, having been outstanding for one thousand years, came to a close in Turfan in the Ming Dynasty. And then, the Western Region was totally Islamized. In 1437, theGuoshiParamartashiri of Turfan sent the monk Gelai to pay tribute to the Mingcourt. This is the last record about Buddhism and Buddhists in Turfan inDa Ming Shilu, the royal document of the Ming Dynasty. Although Turfan Buddhism declined and fell apart, the Ming Dynasty still conducted active governance of this area based on theSengguansystem. This article aims to show the last scene of Buddhism in Ming Turfan, clarify the management mode of Buddhism in the Ming Dynasty, and analyze whether the “Huihui Monks” were Buddhist or Muslim.

Key Word:Turfan, Buddhism, tribute, Paramartashiri

Robert Hart and the Negotiation of the Sino-Portuguese Commercial and Navigational Intercourse Treaty

Zhang Zhiyong

Abstract:In 1862 China and Portugal signed the Sino-Portuguese Commercial and Navigational Intercourse Treaty. And then they negotiated exchanging ratification of the treaty from 1864 to 1868, but they failed at last.Robert Hart had paid close attention to the Sino-Portuguese negotiation from the very beginning, and put forward his own proposals to the Zongli Yamen. As the diplomatic consultant of the Zongli Yamen, his advice was valued and adopted by the Zongli Yamen, and he himself had been invited to join in the related discussions continuously.He also translated the notes and letters from the Portuguese envoy for the Zongli Yamen. And his advice of setting up customs in Macao to collect tax and rent for Macao became the important term for the Zongli Yamen to press upon the Portuguese envoy so that he would give up his unreasonable requirements. It further became the key for the success or failure of the Sino-Portuguese Commercial and Navigational Intercourse Treaty and the exchanging ratification of the treaty.

Key Words:Robert Hart, the Sino-Portuguese Commercial and Navigational Intercourse Treaty, Zongli Yamen

Cognition and Teaching of Measure Words in the West in the 19th Century

Yue Lan

Abstract:A measure word is a part of speech unique in the Chinese language. As far back as hundreds of years ago, Westerners who came to China were keenly aware of the existence of measure words during the process of their learning Chinese. Much intensive study in cognition of and research on measure words was launched in the 19th century, which could be revealed through the emphasis on measure words in the Chinese language teaching materials. They bestowed a name on the measure word from the perspective of number or classification. Besides,more specific descriptions were made aiming at the classification and usage of measure words. Some effective methods were adopted in the teaching and studying of measure words, which are a significant reference for teaching Chinese as a second language today.

Key words:measure word, teaching Chinese language as a second language, history of Chinese language, 19th century

Analysis of the Academic Collaborations between Historians from the Republic of China and Sinologists from the United States

Wu Yuanyuan

Abstract:After the 1930s, a group of young American Sinologists were sent to China for academic purposes or advanced studies. In the meantime, a number of Chinese historians who had graduated from Qinghua university, Yanjing university or Peking University left for study or lecture tours in the United states. Based on their academic friendship, historians from the Republic of China collaborated academically with the Sinologists from the United States in various forms. What characterized their academic collaborations were the joint research projects being more concentrated in the basic field of Sinology. The historians from the Republic of China were responsible for the collection, selection, translation and annotation of historical data in the joint research projects.Their achievement won high praise due to their joint efforts. But there also existed much unpleasantness in their cooperation because of the racial discrimination in the United States and the conflict of their academic views.

Key words:historians from the Republic of China, Sinologists from the United States, academic collaborations

Admiration and Rejection: Cultural Identity and National Community Construction in Vietnamese Diplomatic Poems

Huang Wenkai, Chen Qingliang

Abstract:Vietnamese diplomatic poems are the fruit of political communications and cultural exchanges between China and Vietnam. Accompanied by the continuing development and frequent communication between these two countries from generation to generation, Vietnamese diplomatic poems have constantly grown and developed. As a product of Chinese and Vietnamese diplomatic activities, since their emergence, these Vietnamese diplomatic poems have had inextricable links with China in every possible way, and were deeply influenced by Chinese culture. Even though they kept their unique national characteristics from the beginning to the end, they helped Vietnamese to show their mastery of Chinese culture and to establish their political and cultural identity as well.

Key Words:diplomatic poems, cultural identity, political identity, national characteristics

The Buddhist Sutras Collection Published by Hoi Tong Monastery in the Qing Dynasty in the Bavarian State Library

Xie Hui

Abstract:There are 28 works in the Bavarian State Library which were published by Hoi Tong Monastery from the beginning of the Qing dynasty to the Jiaqing period, and brought to Europe by Karl Friedrich Neumann in 1830.These works are mostly reprints or imitation versions from the Jiaxing Tripitaka. The authors were mainly the famous monks in the Ming and Qing dynasties, some of whom came from the Hoi Tong Monastery. Among them, only a few are non-Buddhist works. After the middle of the Qing dynasty, a part of Hoi Tong Monastery’s publication was printed by bookshops. The cost of printing was mostly paid by the monks of Hoi Tong Monastery through self-financing, and it seems that this practice increased year by year.

Keywords:the Bavarian State Library, Hoi Tong Monastery, Qing dynasty, Buddhist sutras

New Tendencies of the Study of Chinese Literature in Korea in the 21th Century

Li Liqiu

Abstract:This article summarizes the new tendencies of the studies of the Chinese literature in Korea in the 21th century into four representative themes: regional literature, routinization, feminine literature and literature of overseas experience and exchange, and their representative researches and specific viewpoints are exhibited as well. Among those four themes, the former two are totally new, and the latter two can be considered as the extension and expansion of existing research perspectives. The theme of overseas experience and exchange has been gradually expanded to cultural exchange in East Asia, whose scope and depth has been increasing day by day.

Key word:Korean literature, Chinese literature, exchange in East Asia, new tendencies, 21th century