吉田松陰의 대외관 - ‘敵體’와 팽창의 이중구조 -

Abstract

Recently some studies on the Yoshida Shoin’s foreign view have pointed out that he was well informed on foreign informations and stood on the side of having equal relationships with western powers. Moreover they have tried to correct the assertion that Shoin insisted the agression on the Asian countries and areas. This paper tried to make it clear that Shoin approved the Shogun government’s equal relationships with foreign countries in reality, but at the same time he believed Japan’s superiority by locating the Tenno above the Shogun in idea. This construction of foreign view helped him approve that the Bakufu tried to conclude treaty with Townsend Harris. He could keep self-consolation even if the Bakufu would concluded treaty with America because the Shogun was inferior to the Tenno. Japan’s superiority in idea expressed itself on the aggressive attitude on Asia. So many materials indicated Shoin’s insistance on intruding Asian countries and even Australia. I think his aggressive attitude on Asian countries stemmed from the complex of the unaccomplishied desire toward Japan’s superiority.