異国遍歴小説における異国―「女護が島」表象を中心に―

Abstract

Contrary to what people might think, Edo people were absolutely curious about foreign culture, and that is part of the reason why imaginary travel stories, including Wasobyoe, and Huryusidokenden, Chinsetsuyumiharizuki were enormously popular. Images of foreign countries in Edo period, offered as wonderful and amusing shows, testify people’s innocent curiosity for the strange and marvelous. But the problem is, the innocent curiosity for the strange can sometimes be separated from the desire to conquer the ‘Other.’In Wakansansaizue, the foreign lands, or Ikoku, are divided into two groups: actual foreign countries and imaginary lands of Barbarians, or Gai-I, Actual foreign countries include China, Korea and Ryukyu. Lands of Barbarians are full of strange and wonderful monsters. Land where only women lives, or Nyoninkoku(Nogogasima). Women in Nyoninkoku are said to become pregnant by south wind or wind. Nyoninkoku is placed west to China, south east to Europe, or Ko-Mo Koku. There are no land or sea routes to Nyoninkoku. In this country, residents are all women. They are courageous and warlike. The country law dictates that men from foreign countries are to be invited to Nyoninkoku in spring.