食人 故事 및 談論을 통해 본 明代 지식인의 야만과 문명에 대한 인식

Abstract

This study examined the structure of civilization/barbarism in China in the Ming Dynasty through stories and records related to cannibals. Furthermore, by reconstructing the boundary between civilization and barbarism, which the intellectuals of the Ming Dynasty thought, the fictionality of the boundary itself was considered. First of all, it looked at the changes in perception of cannibals in the pre-Ming Dynasty period. Starting from the mythology period, we looked at the dynasty of Buddhism influx, and then reviewed the story of 割股 (the act of cutting off the thighs to heal parents' illness). In the process, it was confirmed that the structure of civilization/barbarism, which was considered to be solid, has undergone many changes. In particular, Buddhist folk tales that were introduced in earnest to the public during the Tang Dynasty period changed the perception of cannibals. The traditional cannibals were the barbarians from the periphery, but with the influx of Buddhist stories and medical books, civilized people in central plains began to take the lead in cannibalism. It was possible because it acquired the Confucian justification of filial piety. It is worth noting that at the same time as the perception change, the traditional cannibal perception has been further strengthened. In other words, the perception of cannibals and the perception of civilization/barbarian structure were changing in two levels, like parallel lines. The multi-layered aspects of this change in perception were discussed through the analysis of Water Margin and Journey to the West. Furthermore, by examining various records related to cannibals, it was possible to confirm the confusion and anxiety of the intellectuals of the Ming Dynasty due to the cracks in the civilization/barbarian structure. Finally, through the above-described research process, the boundary between civilization and barbarism was reconstructed as thought by the intellectuals of the Ming Dynasty.