중국 예악사상과 고대 일본의 유예(遊藝)문화

Abstract

The ancient Chinese philosophy of ye-ak(courtesy and music)held an important position in the ancient musical theory of China. It was established as a musical theoretical system in the “Musical Records” section of Records of Courtesy and as a musical philosophy of East Asia. The philosophy of ye-ak is also a political ideology based on national government. “Ye” means order and “ak” signifies harmony. A noble man was supposed to have these virtues of order and harmony, and these virtues functioned as means to govern the nation.　The book titled Summary of Musical Books, brought into Japan by Kibiomakibi, a Japanese envoy to the Tang Dynasty, served as a conduit in Japan’s acceptance of Ｙe-ak philosophy. On the other hand, the scope of ancient music as a ruling ideology included poetry, songs, and dance. These three things are the basis of virtue, and act as a link in the form of arts. The preface of Kokin-wakasyu expressed the theory of praising virtues by Waka as the concept of music and established the Waka-centered views of the era of peace based on the Confucian musical theory. In addition, Confucius’ “philosophy of playing with arts” emphasizes the ethical role of arts in building character but the aesthetic function of arts, or the concept of “Asobi (having fun)” in Japanese. The relations between Asobi and arts in Japanese cultural history is based on the “philosophy of playing with arts” of ancient China. In particular, the musical viewpoint reflected in Monogatari of the Heian Dynasty was centered on the philosophy of courtesy and music and elegant and refined enjoyment. The phase of elegant and refined Asobi is a starting point of arts for amusement for ancient Japanese people. Therefore, the ancient Japanese history of arts for amusement is a part of the history of Asobi of Japanese people, and the culture of arts for amusement was being shaped anew while people were enjoying arts.