근대 초기 일본의 문명 개념 수용과 그 세속화

Abstract

The present article examines the adoption, in the early period of Japanesemodernization and secularization, of the concept of civilization originating in theWest, and how the use of the translated term spread to the common people. Therelationship between the concept of civilization and modernization of Japan istherefore addressed. First of all, it considers how the word ‘civilization’was translated into Japanese;while civilization was initially translated as ‘Bunmeikaika(文明開化),’‘Bunmei(文明)’and ‘Kaika(開化),’‘Bunmei’eventually overwhelmed the other terms, andsettled in Japanese society. Also examined is the recognition of the concept of civilization by Japaneseintellectuals, particularly Hukuzawa Yukichi and fellow Meirokusha members. Intellectuals, including Hukuzawa, recognized that civilization is the highest stagein the development of human history, and has its own universality. In addition,according to them, civilization is a process of advancing out of savageness, withthe advancement of intelligence for energy. Furthermore, it centers on theadvancement of human comfort and dignity. Eventually, their purpose, concretelyspeaking, is to aim toward the Western model. This concept of civilization is secularized further as it spreads to the commonpeople. Through the textbook of the world geography, civilization is regarded asthe opposite concept of savageness. And the formula is formed that civilization isto the West as savageness is to Africa. On the other hand, the concept ofcivilization included in the book for popular enlightenment is filled with thecontents informing the government’s reform policy. Therefore, it implies that theamelioration of customs and the policy of modernization are equal to‘civilization.’The remarkable characteristic of the concept of civilization in the early period ofJapanese modernization is that it is highly appreciated as a very positive value. Itsuggests that the concept of civilization at that time supported the process ofmodernization by which Japan had propelled to establish modern nation, with itstarget the West.