Japanology (1852-1927) and Wendong Yao
Qing China Late in
Ng Wai-ming Benjamin
Singapore University of National
investigate began
Chinese of
increasing number period, mid-Qing to
the From
an
considerable scholarship exerted
their periphery. of along Some China's conditions the
a
by of later scholars
highly rated been diplomacy and has politics Qing
and impact late
on
•,'• (1848-1905) Japanese in
ofHuang
Zunxian work generations. include the These
• • •l •b,.• Gong Zizhen (Ryfikyfi) studies, and • •r Liuqiu Jingfu in studies, Huang
majority of these the However, border.
northern
China's (1792-1841) studies of in
3• •J• • (1852-1927)
is
Wendong forgotten.
Yao been pioneering have scholars one now
such
case.
Qing
China. figure late in political academic
prominent Wendong
Yao
not
or
a was
scholar of prolific
underrated
but diplomat medium-ranking and
only
area He
a
a
was
cultural Sino-Japanese
figure in
little-studied important but also studies.
He an was
early- late-Qing and published
figures prominent in
biographies
of
checked have I twenty
over
• 1• • Tonghe's Jindai
Weng in about Yao only short Republican and found
China entry
one
reprint: (Taibei China)
Modem (¢• •[• •
in (Biographies Prominent Persons • j•, of zhi
renwu
Shanghai, take him did hometown, his 1978), Even gongsi, 355. not
Xinwenfeng
chuban
p.
(Shanghai Sequel) •]• • Prefecture, Shanghai • • (Records of J2 Shanghai xuzhi seriously.
xian
964-65) him
(pp. words few
than 1970) has
reprint: Chengwen,
reprint, Taibei 1919;
on a more no
by scholars. completely forgotten modem is Yao examinations.
civil
service
of
the under
category
@ yige flf] Wendong, •
Wai-ming Ng "Yao provided by
is
him
only article
academic
The
on
• 2• • •-• • • -f • •] • (Yao [] • • • Ribentong" Qingrno
beiyiwang de liao
College
of 7
History Asia New Qing), Journal of the Late Japan Hand Wendong, Forgotten at
a
They
include:
and articles.
books
of
number
briefly discussed in
is
(1985), Yao 41-55.
a
pp.
z•. •, •. •. '[• •(zd• (Sino-Japanese •)• [] y•: • ]• ,-• bunka k6sh6
Meiji Nis-Shi
Keishfi's Sanet6
•'• ]•1• 1•1• "Meiji Sabur6's • Sat6 1943); K6fukan,
(Tokyo:
Period) Meiji
the in
Contacts Cultural
-• • !• ,• • •
• J)J, •fJ [] kenkyfi"
Shinajin Nihon okeru sens6 ni izen Nis-Shin igo
ishin
no
Meiji and Restoration • ;z•:•l• the •J[• Japan J• of (Chinese between Studies •-• []
[•" :•
• Is_.
03
•?. • • • (1940) Kindai Nit-Cha • and kenkyfi Relashigaku 10.11 War), Sino-Japanese
the
51• • History Sino- •i• •. of Modem
• the (Studies
•-• d3 in •. kenkyfi I•
03
k6sh6 sh•
no
• •I 7J" "Jindai Wanhe's
k6bunkan, and 1983); Lii
Yoshikawa (Tokyo:
Interactions) Japanese
• •
• • • • • • • -•"
•'-• I• I•I zt• PA
• jiaowang" yanjiu wenhua yiqian dui-Ri de Jiawu
yu
1894-95), in of Cultural Sino-Japanese War Interactions before the
and
(Modem Japan
Studies of
5• •. • • Sino-Japanese • • • History of • the (Essays in
lunwenfi Zhong-Ri shi
guanxi
l• •X _• touches Xiaoqiu also chubanshe,
Wang 1984).
Heilong•iang renmin
(Harbin: Relations)
•6.
•
•-• 3•. • • • (History Modem j•. • of fiaoliu shi wenhua
Zhong-Ri his Jindai in Yao upon 8
interchange
diplomatic Chinese and
history.
significant made
He contributions
to
many
facets of
studies.
Japanologist, As
Japanology
prolific he (1852-1927) Wendong and writer
who Yao authored area nine a
was a
books Japan.
quantity,
In
of in history Chinese
terms until his time
on could
no
one
with
him.
also He "the first history
in Chinese
compare
translate
Japanese
was to
person
Qing China
Late in
books into
Chinese. outstanding As ''•
geographer,
he extensively
the
wrote
an
on
geography of Chinese (in borders Northwest, the Northeast, Southwest) and
and
neighboring nations (such
Japan, Annam,
Ryfikyfi and Kingdom). the
He
as
was
Wai-ming Ng concerned Benjamin about national defense provided and suggestions invaluable
Qing the late
to
military
Undoubtedly,
Wendong government
deserves Yao matters.
academic on
more
attention. This article
preliminary is Singapore University of
thought, of his life focusing
and
National his
a survey
on
contributions Sino-Japanese
examining relations. By performance
his to
diplomat
in
as a
early Meiji Japan,
Japanese
researcher in studies, strategist and
who advocated as a
as a
invading
Japan,
forgotten
introduce
this Japanologist attempt
readers to
locate
and investigate
we began to increasing
Chinese
number of
mid-Qing period,
the
From to
an
him
in field the
Chinese of Japanology.
considerable scholarship exerted along periphery. of their conditions China's Some the
a
by highly scholars of later rated politics diplomacy Qing and has been impact late and
on
• • ,• (1848-1905)
Japanese in generations.
Zunxian
Huang
of
These include the work
Diplomat Yao
His and
Cultural Activities
Japan
in as a • • I•I •)•J• •in (Ryfikyfi) Gong
studies, Zizhen and Jingfu Liuqiu studies,
Huang
Wendong
Yao
born in Shanghai into family
1852 scholarly
with
majority tradition
of these the However,
border. was (1792-1841) studies of China's northern in a
a
geography. in
Having
passed
provincial the
examination
in
•/(• he 1867, • the entered Longmen
(1852-1927) Wendong is
forgotten. pioneering have been scholars Yao one
now
•
•
shuyuan 1• •,
prestigious
academy
diplomats, train
his
academic
to to a such
pursue
case.
interest
diplomacy, geography,
in
defense. and
lukewarm taking
He
toward Qing the figure civil China. political
late in prominent
academic Wendong
Yao was
not
or was a
service examinations
and
of preparing time his
in diplomat.
himself
spent
be most prolific of His
underrated scholar
medium-ranking diplomat
but only and
to
He.
a
area
a a was
chance
in when
he by invited 1881
Sino-Japanese newly-appointed
the
Minister
Japan, Li figure came cultural in important little-studied but also was studies. to
He
was an
• •
Shuchang •,
join
diplomatic
the mission Japan to
attachr. arrived Yao in to
as an
following Japan
the
year.
early-
published late-Qing figures
and
prominent in biographies of
have checked
I
twenty
over
did
flying have
Yao
diplomatic
his
in did
along not
He
start
well
a
get
not • I•
• career.
Tonghe's
Weng Jindai only Republican
about in short Yao China and found
entry
one
Shuchang
with
Li
and
that
suggestions his
largely
ignored. Li
upset
He
to
was
reprint:
(Taibei (¢7, • • China) sent
• }k Modem
were
(Biographies in Prominent
of Persons zhi
renwu
letters •]: several
Zongli •,
the
•] •A•
(Office Yamen Foreign
Affairs),
of to
complaining
Shanghai, him did take hometown,
Xinwenfeng
gongsi, his
1978), chuban 355. Even
not
p.
about
Li's style) dictatorial
resigned
1884, Li
In his because
of
the g•, (Shanghai • • • death Sequel) his Prefecture, of Shanghai
post (Records
)2 of seriously. Shanghai xuzhi
xian
mother. The
Minister •(•, •
7• Japan,
Chengzu
Xu retained
964-65) (pp. him words Chengwen, than to the few Yao reprint, reprint: Chinese
1970) has 1919;
Taibei new
at
on
more a no
Legation.
Shuchang 1887,
Li In again forgotten appointed by completely scholars.
modem
Minister is of civil service examinations.
Yao Japan, under the
and
category Yao
to once was
as
{•
Japan left I•fJ yige :• Europe for Wendong, Wai-ming few provided by Ng "Yao months only later. academic article
him is The
a
on
• •1 • •J¢
•3• • fVao •= Qingrno Ribentong" did beiyiwang spend How liao de
Yao these six in important Japan? His job
assignment
years most
College of History
Qing),
7
Journal New Asia Wendong, Forgotten Japan
of the Hand
Late
Japan's geography.
at This
the to
for Shuchang
which Li
survey a
was took
very
purpose
was
They
include:
briefly books and articles.
of
discussed
in number (1985),
is
Yao
41-55.
him Shortly Japan.
arriving
after
there,
expressed pp. to a Yao worries about whether
he
could
•. ?• • • •
• f•J• y• • • ,-• (Sino-Japanese [] Meiji k6sh6 Sanet6 Keishfi's Nis-Shi bunka
accomplish
mission:
this
• •[g "Meiji Saburr's Krfukan, Sat6 • 1943); Meiji (Tokyo: Period) Contacts the in Cultural
• • • • • • !• J)J, J)),
kenkyfi"
I• []
Shinajin sens6 igo Nihon Nis-Shin izen okem ni ishin
no
Sino-Japanese
Interactions) Cultural (Beijing: Zhonghua
shuju,
1992),
184-91. 2•:;•-• •J[•)x, Meiji D. R. 1•-• Howland Japan the Restoration and •" (Chinese
[] Studies of between :•3 • [Y-
pp.
tD
also briefly discusses
Yao in of his Border Chinese Civilization (Durham •,• •k. • •
and
London: pt• kenkyfi
(1940) Relashigaku Kindai Duke Nit-Chfi War), and Sino-Japanese 10.11 the
University
Press, 1996).
secondary Since
references extremely limited,
this •-• dy 5[?. • • History • • research relies (Studies • kenkyfi the of Modem Sino- in • krsh6 shi 0") are
no
mainly
primary
7J"
• •gl
on krbunkan, sources. Wanhe's "Jindai
1983);
(Tokyo: and
Interactions)
Yoshikawa Lii
Japanese
• -• : •, See
Tam
Zhongguo Yue-him d?
•r [] ;l• zonghe Riben •, • shu
•]-• • X• • • 3• • • • [] 4• yi zp • mulu •
• 1•I • I)A • jiaowang"
yanjiu yiqian wenhua
de dui-Ri
Jiawu
yu
•1•
(Overall
Listing
Chinese
of Japanese Translations Books) of (Hong Kong:
Chinese University
1894-95), Sino-Japanese
of in of before the War Japan Cultural Interactions (Modem
Studies of and
Hong Kong
Press,
1980), 56. 5• i• • r:O •
• • •t History Sino-Japanese
lunwenfi p. the (Essays of
Zhong-Ri
in
shi
guanxi
3
Chow
Hwa, Jen China Japan:
History and The of Diplomatic IP• •X Chinese Japan, Missions
:E.
Xiaoqiu
chubanshe, Wang also touches 1984). Heilongjiang (Harbin:
Relations)
renmin in
(Singapore:
1877-1911 Chopmen
Enterprises,
1975), 5t• 107, •-• • • • •f• • 153. • j•.
(History jiaoliu of Modem Zhong-Ri shi wenhua Jindai pp. Vao in his upon 8
the
geography and
Japan's report study
to assignment to received Wendong,
I, to
an
perfect.
from is far research geographical studies, Although like I Zongli Yamen my
stressful
become it has Hence, foreign affairs.
with particular, familiar very I In not
am
position. taking 4 this
since for me
he assignment, official Regarding this
Qing disappoint
the
government. did
Yao not
Draft) • •
7• (Treatise Japan,
[]
zhi Riben important
works:
three finished a
on
gao
Ryfikyfi
Geography of the •:•
:• • (Treatise the • •
juan),
zhi Liuqiu dili (1884, 10
on
Geography 7_•:••[• and (Japan's [] bingyao dili 2juan),
Riben Islands) (1884, and
of
basically translation
is zhi volumes). Riben The Defense) (1884,
2juan, 8 a Its
gao
physical human and
focusing their domains, writings different of historical official on
writings the
non-official
and official of collection is dili zhi geography. Liuqiu The on
a
bingyao dill Riben The
Chinese.
into
translated
Ryfikyfi Islands geography
of the
•
•J• •J', • • (A
shrshi
Heiy6 chiri the
Based Japan.
attack discusses the
to on ways
military and by Japanese published the Japan), Geography Military in of
Brief Account
defense. coastal Japan's concerning
particularly detailed this is Japanese other
sources,
of
deal
did Chengzu, great Yao Shuchang and Xu Li attach6 the
As
a to
intellectuals
Japanese example, invited Li to tasks. secretarial For and administrative
many
he and 1882, Festival in
Ninth Double
the gathering
celebrate
in Ueno attend
to poetry
a
Jl, •g
denggao shi Chongjiu
entitled book, publish into
the edit and asked Yao
to
poems a
project
ambitious had (1882).
Festival) also Li • •, Nine
5 • Double (Poems for the
an
-•
congshu
Guyi the
China in preserved in lost Japan but
in reprint
Chinese
texts
to
some
and classicist famous asked the Japan). • Li • Books in • (Series
Chinese of Lost
series, and of the Shoujing/• chief editor ,• • (1839-1915), the be calligrapher, Yang to
help and friends for
Japanese solicited his editor. Yao assistant served the Yao
as
by Huang Kan discovered the instance, he impressive commentary
results. For achieved
Classic) 7•,
the •-•
(Thousand in Character __• Qianzi ()• Liang the Dynasty
of the
wen
on
collate, and Chengzu
by appointed then Library Xu Ashikaga in He to 1887. copy,
was
precious publish this
text.
his conduct found duties, time also fulfilling official Yao his Besides to own
Shuchang
Li
the like mainly did he because this did Japan. research He
not way
on
piecemeal, being criticizing them
Japan, about gather information staff his instructed
to as
improve the capacity, little could do he official confusing. his inadequate, and In to
his He Japan variety information about gathered
of network, and he intelligence own. on a
Sojoum • • during My •g in • Writings (Miscellaneous Dongcha zazhu Wendong,
4 Yao
University
Beijing has quantity published and small
in
book Japan) This (1882).
a
very
a
was
Xiaoqiu Beijing
of
provided by Wang
Dongcha this article zazhu in quotations from All are copy.
gratitude.
his wishes University, author whom the to
express
to
gatherings
of kinds Japan, had held these
Minister he Shuchang's at During
5 Li
to
tenure as
Zhong-Ri • Mingzhi I• [] shidai ), Guting Chen Keishfi (trans. Sanet6
nine times. See least
•. Meiji • • r• • ff•J Links the in Cultural • ff• 1• (Sino-Japanese F• f•J• de lianxi wenhua
meetings be found in of these 1971), Records congshu, 44-51. Zhongguo (Taibei: Period)
can
pp.
from and • • 3( Prose (Collections Chinese-Language Poems •J• • • of Meiji Kanshibun sha
shobr, 1983), (Tokyo: Meiji 270-72. Period) Chikuma the pp:
compile
planned in book series
history who
Chinese in
perhaps first
the
to
a person
was
•
• •-• •j• ershierzhong
"Dongcha mulu"
•. which he referred studies, Japanese
to
as
series
studies Volumes). His Japanese • [• Twenty-Two (Series Studies in Japanese
on
volumes), volumes), history (5
(10 categories: literature into five classified be
can
volume). military (1 affairs He volumes) and volumes), (3 (3 economics geography
was
above- the eight addition publish Of them. In and finish nine volumes able to
to
to
Chongjiu zhi, and bingyao, Liuqiu dili dili Riben works--Riben zhi four mentioned
gao,
capacity. five books private
These
complied in denggao books another five shi--he
are:
a
• Zhongdong 7J• •--['• (1883), nianbiao (Economic Japan)
of [] kuaiji
Data Riben lu
• • • • g•_ •[• • •j• shi
unclear), Mojiang (date Japan)
(Annals
of China and xiuxi
•. • •j• • [-flj tongwenji River) (1883), Haiwai Composed (Poems
the Sumida
at
l• ]• •
• (Words of Guisheng Foreign Literature) (1888), (Collection and of
zengyan
contains kuaiji book which is data (1889). lu Departure) Riben My for Encouragement
a
bonds. expenditures, and budget, Japan's figures annual about government
revenues,
history. Japanese and comparisons Chinese between Zhongdong nianbiao is table of
a
gathering during composed in Haiwai 1883.
is collection of
Mojiang xiuxishi
poems a a
compiled by
the and pieces
of Chinese
collection of is tongwenji 24
prose verse
a
together by Japanese
Yao's Guisheng of is collection
Japanese. 41 put poems zengyan a
mother in visit his he left for China 1886. friends when to
compiling
series, of the writing the Although started had it that
Yao rest
or seems
noteworthy
works,
unfinished Among thirteen finish it. these able he most to
not was was
Chinese-language Japan in the literature systematically introduce wanted that he to to
Tokugawa scholars
idea. advocated this who the first
Chinese. Yao not
one was
Qing evaluation. late for One Chinese-language China frequently their
to
sent
poems
published • •, by and them Japanese the
Chinese selected scholar, Yu Yue
poems
some
•g, •t •, Japan) (1883). • [Chinese-language] (Selected of Poems Dongying shixuan
as
writings by Japanese. compile Chinese-language the inspired
This have Yao
to prose
may
3• • • • •J• (Invitation qi" for Essay "Donghai zhengwen explained his motive his in He
Japan): in Contributions
writings dynasty, Dynasties Chinese Qing have the from the Three In retrospect, to many
read Japan and write Chinese. in of this nation. Scholars introduced been to
can
by neighbors, exchange of literature famous Although the Japan nation
and
my are
Sino-Japanese deplorable thing in This is such of both countries is authors
rare. a
literary 6 circle. relations and the in
writings composed trilogy
planned compile in introduce Chinese
Yao
to to
prose
a
•. 7• •,,
(Origins [] Japanese of Riben
and medieval Japan: ancient
yuan
prose wen as
7• •. • (Records Prose), [] Japanese of Tokugawa and Prose), Riben
lu
prose wen as
•,
•.
• • (Collection Prose). Japanese of Meiji chuan Haiwai
prose wen as
quantity publish of works he had Unfortunately, edit and the did time have he to not
important unfinished contribution. Other gathered. Otherwise, it been would have
an
families, prominent history history, Japanese the of Japanese concerned modern the items
j•-•.• (q• •q• •---• Qing • • Liuqiu • the in Liuqiufilu of the Islands Qingdai (Records 6 In xufi
congkan, 1972), Continued) (Taibei: wenxian 190. Period, Taiwan p. 11
history officialdom, Japanese of the history Tokyo, of Japanese the volcanoes hot and
springs, transportation mining
land and history Japan, Japan, in in of Japanese the
arts sea
literature, sequel and subject, volume the
and
poetry.
a on
same
addition Japanese series, this published In studies also book which Yao to
a
prefaces,
letters, includes written, Dongcha short had and
he
entitled zazhu
some essays
•
• •: •
(Miscellaneous Writings during Sojourn Japan) (1884). in book is This
a an
important understanding reference for Meiji early Japan. activities Yao's in
During sojourn
his in Japan, active social had and cultural life Yao and spent
an
reading in much time both
gatherings.
and opportunity wasted social also He
at
to
no
himself experiences Tokyo. instance,
in in visited he the For 1883
to expose
new
• • • Seikeikan Tsukimi, Girls principal, teachers, School in where the students and
all females.
This girls
since Yao,
China have did schools
to not were eye-opener an was
impressed this time. by discipline by He talent and the of the students yet and the at
was
school uniform and developments followed foreign the of domestic He and
ceremony.
closely. affairs
outspoken opinions. and example, He dared his he For to
was express
Zongli the complaining Yamen, Legation the that Chinese neither received to wrote
adequate
funding clear Qing
directives from
the official letter
In
government.
to
nor a an
3• • •
Tongwen of
(Beijing the Bureau), charged Translation that he of the
guan most
staff Legation Chinese the only
about their concerned interests
and
at were own
were
indifferent affairs of 7 to
state.
six-year During his Japan, in made considerable in Yao his stay
progress
scholarship, thanks both colleagues his Chinese friends. Japanese his and The Chinese to
]•, influenced •;• who Shuchang, • Yao Shoujing, Li Yang Chen Jialin and most
were
Huang Among
friends, Zunxian.
Japanese his particularly indebted Yao Hoshino
to
was
•f_• •__•(1833-1901), •_• (1839-1917), Hisashi Shigeaki • Gam6 Senjin
and
Oka
-• •',]J (1832-1914).
Shuchang
Li diplomat, historian, geographer. and
Before became he
was a
Minister Japan, working he several Legation for the in Chinese different spent to
years
[]•--•-•-•(Conditions nations Europe. in wroteXiyangzazhi He West) in in the 1880
to
politics, introduce society
Western
and his Like Yao, he countrymen. to economy,
was
also
concerned national about defense and appoint asked the him government to to
geographical conduct
Russia. in
Japan in He s
the second 1881 to
survey a
came
as
Chinese Minister Japan. However, he seldom though Japan about his to
wrote
understanding
Japan of
with
first the
Chinese Ruzhang
Minister
Japan,
He
to par
was
on a
•j" • •1
1837),
(b.
who books three major Japan. His contribution
the
wrote
on
was
completion Guyi
of Although congshu. the Li did and establish Yao
not
very
a
working relationship, harmonious they shared similar geography, interests defense, in and
compilation of the books. expertise Li's international in relations enlarged also Yao's
knowledge. of scope
Shoujing Yang prominent specialized scholar
who geography in
and
was a
calligraphy. longer
Yang
(more time years) than than spent Chinese other ten
a any
official in Japan.
Japan in Ruzhang He attach6 1877
He retained and to to came as an was
S• China Japan, and 149, 153.
pp.
Shuchang, Li Xiyang (Changsha
reprint: zazhi ehubanshe, Hunan 1981), renmin 5-19. pp. 12
by Shuchang Li
counselor. Yang
made invaluable
contributions as Sino-Japanese
to
interchange.
cultural
Being
bibliophile,
he visited
used bookstores
private a
and
collections
of
Japanese his
friends
and discovered
Tang
Song and
editions of
some
Chinese
books
which had
been lost in China. With the assistance
of and Yao
other
colleagues
from the
Chinese Legation, he
edited
and collated
these books
and
rare
reprinted
them
in China Guyi the
congshu.
also
He important
several
as works
wrote
on
Chinese
historical
geography
during period. this
Yang's colleague As
collaborator,
and
Yao have benefited
greatly must from Yang's knowledge bibliography. in geography
and
Chen
Jialin
and
Yao like-minded
colleagues.
They
both
wanted were write
to
a
treatise Japan.
Chen,
due problems his
language,
time
of to and on only
managed
write
to
down
his experiences
in
Japan
in
entries, publishing
37 them Dongcha •, •)•
lu wenjian
as
I• • •
(Things Heard
and
in Seen Japan) (1887).
writings These
history,
cover
geography,
society, religion, education, economy, military, and the
stressing
the
importance
of
modernization.
shared He similar interests
and views
with
many
Yao.
For
example, they both underestimated military the strength Meiji of Japan.
relationship
Yao's
with the prominent
Japanologist in most time, his
Huang
Zunxian, interesting. is
Huang
the counselor in the first Chinese Legation
was under
He
Ruzhang. departure
His
and Yao's arrival
close
in time. Sharing similar
research
were
interests in
Japan,
it
would
have been shame
if these Japanologists
had
missed two the a
chance
another. Nevertheless,
to meet there ties
between one
their respective
were
scholarship.
When Huang published
73• his •fi • Riben •, zashi [] shi
(Poems
on
Miscellaneous
Topics
Japan)
in
1879,
Yao still in
China might and
have on
read it.
was
Yao
Riben zhi
(1884) and Huang wrote
73•
Riben []
[] •
zhi gao (Treatises wrote
guo
on
Japan) (1894).
Indeed,
they
have influenced
each They other.
also may 9 had
many
Japanese
friends in including
prominent
such figures
common, Senjin, Oka
Gam6
as
Shigeaki,
Shigeno
Yasutsugu • • • •
(1827-1910),
•J• • • Ono I_l_l,
Kozan
Mori
•: •: •]•,
Shunt6 • •-•, Moil Kainan Miyajima •" • and •- Seiichir6 •1•
(1838-
1911).
These
1° represented the best Japanologists in Qing late
men China.
Huang
produced
brilliant
works Japan two
which exceeded
quality, Yao's in work whereas on
finished Yao nine
books Japan
and outnumbered Huang's
quantity. in hardly on We can
Huang 9
his started book (1879)
earlier than Yao, but fmished Yao his book
(1884).
earlier
They
might
have
treated
each other competitors
and followed the the of closely. other
as
progress
Sanet6
Keishfi
believes that in
the of
of
the terms
treatise and the
annals, Huang
name
was
influenced by
Yao. Yao
completed Zhongdong his nianbiao in Huang 1884. also
added the
Zhongdong
nianbiao
in his
Riben zhi in
Huang 1887.
first referred his guo
book
at
Riben to
as
zhi and
Yao his
book
Riben
zhi. Later, to
changed Yao the
his of as book guo
Riben
zhi
to
name
Huang and
his renamed book Riben zhi. Mmgzhi gao, See Zhong-RJ shJdai lianxi, wenhua guo de
87-88.
pp.
•0 Zheng •1•
See • Ziyu •
Sanet6 Keishfi, and
eds., Huang
Zunxian
Riben bitan
yu
youren
• ,•
• •
• 7•
}k • •e• [] yigao •h• • (Remaining Drafts
of Brush
Conversations
between
Huang Zunxian
Japanese and His Acquaintances)
(Tokyo:
daigaku Waseda shuppanbu,
1968).
See Wai-ming also
Ng,
"The Formation
Huang of Tsun-hsien's Thought Political
Japan in
(1877-
1882),"
Smo-Japanese Studies
(October 1995), 8.1 9-14. pp. 13
period find this
who in match them.
Huang known,
better
Because anyone
can was
• ,• •: • Sanet6 Keishfi dubbed has Huang "the Second Zunxian."11 Yao
might Other Chinese who during influenced have
include Japan his in
Yao
Xu
stay
• •,
Chengzu, • •r. • Chaozeng Xi Huang and Chengzu
Yu served third the Xu
as
Chinese Japan Minister in from Being English familiar with 1884 and 1888. Western to
studies, the Meiji improved Xu of Sino-Japanese
Japanese, and he respect
many won
during relations his
pursuing and trusted
free hand him in 12 Xu his Yao tenure.
gave a
research Japan. Xi
the Chinese Yu job consul in remarkable
Yokohama who did on was
a
protecting interests the of Chinese residents. Like Yao, interested also in 13 Yu
was
translating
Japanese Although books Chinese. into this, did find the he time do he
not to
supported encouraged and
project Japanese preface studies Yao's and for the
wrote
even
Liuqiu Yao's Chaozeng
zhi. colleague dili
Huang Legation. the Chinese Yao's
at
was
Under Shuchang, orders from Li places Huang
visited Japan and in
the 37
wrote
•¢,
• • Dongying • (Essays unknown).
Japan) (date Travel in could Yao youcao
on
acquired have handful of information first-hand from Huang.
a
kept Yao close Japanese with intellectuals. officials Chinese and TM contact
a
Japanese scholars regularly they exchanged and and ideas written in met
poems
• conversation. •± • literary attended Yao functions of the (Society Reitakusha
group,
a
Benefit), of Mutual
by founded Shigeno chaired and Yasutsugu. Reitakusha The
met at
least month, bringing usually each together time
scholars,
mainly than 40
once a
more
Japanese and Legation. officials Chinese the from Huang Chinese Zunxian poets
some
time active left,
member of this
place he After took and Yao his at was
one group. an
enjoyed
reputation
fine in praised
Japanese
and
The
them
master
a
prose
as a verse. as
• • cizong" "Liang • •(• • • (Verse master) "Dawenzong" (Great and master).
prose
interesting episode One Senjin occurred after student, Oka
asked his beloved Katayama
]• • lJ_l (1859-1933),
Sen study
under Katayama treated Yao. his teacher and Yao to as
showed him He great respect. wrote:
People
[Yao] that knowledgeable
talented writings and and and
say you
are your
scholarship
beyond
They particularly that
familiar with the
compare. say are you are
foreign changes in discussing affairs fond and of the situation of the world Your
are
writings
superb. delicate and If opportunity scholars of
have the country
are so my
some
they "reaching know reaching the Dragon [i.e., it call Gate" ultimate] the I, to
you,
[Katayama] Sen, study day will hard. One famous, when become will I abroad. travel I
Shanghai
Qing first visit will I dynasty
the in tribute
This is great to to
pay my
you.
a
indebtedness the Although today.
I, Sen,
I good, Alas!
to way not repay you owe am
the first make
there realize that talents
15 abroad.
to you are one many me are
Zhong-Ri Mingzhi 11 shidai lianxi, 69, wenhua de 86. pp.
Japan, 1• See China and 160-71. pp.
Meiji Kamachi, Japan: •3 Noriko Chinese "The in Their Japan Interaction with Sino- Before the
Japanese Iriye, War," ed., Akira The Chinese in Japanese: Essays and the Political and in
Cultural University (Princeton: Interactions Princeton 1981), Press, 67-72.
pp.
According 14 acquaintance
made the Yao Japanese of least intellectuals. 36 count, to at
my
15 Mingzhi Quoted Included in Zhong-Ri lianxi, in Haiwai shidai wenhua de tongwenji. 69. p.
Katayama
later became of advocate socialism. an 14
relationships Yao's
with
Japanese
scholars
reciprocal.
Yao
were
commented
their
works
on taught and
them
Chinese,
whereas
some Japanese
scholars
provided
him
with
information,
lent
him books,
and
translated Japanese
into
Chinese
for
sources
him.
These
services
extremely important
were for
Yao,
because
he did
understand
not Japanese
and
there
such
talents
in were the
Chinese no
Legation.
invited Yao 16
Japanese
scholars
many
help
him
with to
the
translation.
There
least twelve at
Japanese
were scholars
helping
him.
particular, In
Nakane
q•
• Shuku
•j(,
Oka
Senjin,
Tsukamoto
• Meigi Y_Is:
•,
HfJ
and
K;,tazawa
• Masanari •--F
•
did
the
majority
of the
work.
the In
nine books
complied
by
Yao,
there
is
single
not
which
did a
one receive
assistance not
from the
Japanese.
Assistance
in
various
forms: came
editing,
translation,
data collection,
writing,
proofreading,
writing
prefaces,
publication. and
Yao impressed
by
the performance was
of these
"research
assistants."
He "They
familiar wrote:
with
geography are
history
and
and
give
guidance
without
can
preparation. They
often
rectify
mistakes."17
Yao
only my
associated
himself
with
the Japanese
who
knew
Chinese
and
communicated
with them
in
written Chinese.
Since he
relied
much
them
for Japanese,
so
Yao on
made
serious
no attempt
study the Japanese to language himself.
Yao
Scholar
and the Characteristics as a
of
Japanology
his
Among
Yao's
writings
Japan,
Riben
zhi on Riben bingyao difi
gao,
Dongcha and
zazhu
the
important.
are
most
Yao
wanted
be the
first
to
Chinese
conduct
to
comprehensive
a
Japan,
survey
and
Riben
zhi
on
his
ambitious gao
most was
work.
This
18
consists text
of
juan,
ten each
particular region
of on Japan:
a Trkaidr,
Trsandr,
Hrkurikudr,
Sanindr,
Sanyrdr, Nankaidr,
Saikaidr,
Hokkaidr,
Kinai,
and
the
capitals. two
Each
juan discusses
24
of the region:
aspects territory,
geography, history, local
16
Like
Huang
Zunxian
and
other
Chinese
officials
Japan, in
Yao had
knowledge
of the
Japanese no
language
and did
study
it Japan. in
not
He
relied heavily
the reading
of the
Kanfi •
on
-•
(Chinese
characters
Japanese)
in
and the
translations by
his Japanese on
friends.
During
the
of Ruzhang, tenure
He
the
Chinese
Legation
had
the
Dong of
fanyi
• post •J
•
(Japanese
translator).
However,
this
became
post
when Shuchang
Li vacant
became
Minister
Japan.
It to
that
the
Chinese
Legation seems
failed
find
to
appropriate
candidate
an fill this
position.
to
Hence,
compared
with
the
times
Huang of
Zunxian
Japan,
in importance
the
Japanese of
scholars
in providing
translations increased
during
of
Yao Wendong's
See
Qing tenure.
Guangxu
chao
Zhong-Ri
jiaoshe
shiliao •7• :y• • !•j r• xuanji
• • • •?.
•
i• •
(Collection
of
Historical
Materials
Sino-Japanese
Relations
on from Guangxu
the Reign
Qing
of the
Dynasty)
(Beijing:
Beiping
bowuyuan,
1932),
gugong
5,
juan 20, entry
22.
D.
Howland R.
p. that
suggests Yao
leamed
speak Japanese.
to
See Borders
of
Chinese
Civilization,
However,
233.
p. I
find
cannot
textual
for any this support view.
17 Dongcha zazhu.
See footnote
4.
Strictly 18
speaking,
Weng
Guangping
• •--•
(1760-1843)
had already
written
treatise Japan
in
Wuqifing his a
=••I•(A on bu
Supplement
Azuma kagami)
to (1814).
However,
it
published
was
and
never few
people knew
very of
its
existence.
When Yao
writing
his
book
in was
Japan,
Huang
Zunxian
had
finished
his
not Riben
zhi. Hence,
Yao
guo
in position
was become to a
the
first
Chinese
finish
publish
and to
treatise
Japan. a on 15
military, schools, famous the prefectures, land, taxation, population, administration,
ships, lighthouses, reefs, islands, harbors, lakes, flatlands, rivers, mountains, places,
capes,
problem his
serious in the language barrier products. The most and factories buoys, was
scholarship. Yao wrote:
by publications the the Meiji by govemment, domains the of abolishment the Since
Meiji
Japanese
the However, began private in the and to
sector government grow
Wendong, have I, read. difficult writings find which I their
into kana to insert
guozhi.
19 compile Riben
translators Japanese books and hired gathered to many
had used
zhi He Riben it the named work and draft of this the finished more Yao gao.
friends
his
Japanese consulted extensively references and every books than on 100
as
Japan work
other
than better book this that Hisashi believed Hoshino on detail. any
was
he "afterword" the
Chinese. wrote In recommended it the strongly
and by Chinese to
a
noted: book, Hoshino for the
for
Japan name] in • has been • [Wendong's literary Zhiliang years many as a
together
them and geography of books put country the translated diplomat. He
my
geography
In economic in excellent
synthesis is such This
text into
great
an a
the attention paying
flowery,
to writings Chinese of the the the more past,
were
and decorative empty words
their Therefore, style the writing than
content. were
Zhiliang
Now, misleading
particularly
foreign affairs
narratives Their
were
on
that realize
they will
it, read When his book. this countrymen new written a has
2° the in East. bom has been nation
give
acknowledgment
bibliography and
provided
useful to
also
book,
Yao the an In
a
preface and •
• (1838-94)
• the Fucheng wrote friends. Xue Japanese his
credit
to
practice, he
standard Following
sent afterword. penned the
Hisashi a Hoshino
a
publish in
it
would
hoping the that government Zongli
Yamen, the an
handwritten
to
copy
and book the interested in
Qing
Unfortunately, the not government
edition. official
was
only
unpublished
and
remained
publisher. The private
21 find a text failed also Yao
to
a
published, have would Yao been had work this If copies circulated. handwritten few
history.
Chinese place modem prominent in
secured
more a
footnote Dongcha 4. See zazhu.
19
compared of
with that be quality
work
the of
The cannot
This overstatement. Ibid.
:0
an
was
book, whereas Yao writing the
in
nine
than Huang zhi. Huang's spent Riben years more guo
merely in zhi Riben finished his
two years.
gao
Riben
finished his Zunxian
Huang instance, period.
For this
guo in
Publication
:1
not
easy
was
•fl _•_
•0• (1823-1901),
Hongzhang
Li Zongli Yamen, copies the handwritten
and 1887 to zhi in
sent
publishing the book. interested in
• •[• •d]. the
govemment
not However, Zhidong Zhang
and was
Xiaoqiu,
Wang
published See in 1895. finally
Huang's
book
Fucheng,
ofXue help
the With
was
•
Analysis • of the •
•s: Preliminary
• j• (A
[] •
I•t
chutan"
zhi Riben Zunxian "Huang
guo
5•. • • d(•
•C. "ill
•
lunwenfl
jiaoliu shi Zhong-Ri wenhua
Zunxian), in Huang of zhi
Riben
guo
chubanshe, (Beijing: Renmin Relations) Cultural Sino-Japanese •i• •1• History • of the in (Essays
t992), 234. p. 16
The important
book
bingyao next his Riben most dili
which
"the first was
was
book Japanese
geography by
modem Chinese.
''•2 Heiy6 Based on shOshi, chiri
a
on
published
by Army the Ministry
in Japan,
and
number of other Japanese
Yao
a
sources,
eomiling
entire
spent
this
pointed work.
he
As "Japan is year an island nation.
All out:
an
important
the places
located
the seashore
the of islands. Hence, complied
are I
Riben on
bingyao
dill explain
the geography
its
of to coastal
I
than
spent in
areas. more year
a
writing
this book.
This ''•3 work ordinary
geography book,
indeed but "military
was no
a
manual"
be used attack Japan
regain to Ryfikyfi to
the Islands.
to
It also
as
so
was
a
publication the
Shinkoku of heiy6 • :ff• to [] •;• response •,
chirishi • •J
(Military
Geography
Qing China) of by Japanese the
government.
fact, In after the
Ryfikyfi Incident, the
calls attacking
for Japan becoming
were
louder.
example, For General Wang •, • Zhiehun •l• q:: • Qiyuan and •; Chen already
advocated
this
few
before Nevertheless, Yao. bingyao measure
Yao's Riben dill a years
represented
the of this thought. of apex current
Dongcha His zazhu is also mentioning.
worth consists of It his letters, personal
prefaces afterwords, and
and short
24
providing best the firsthand
for essays,
sources
understanding
his perceptions Japan. of Unlike
his
and in collections, other
prose verse
these
had significance
greater essays Yao: to a
have
I
considerable period spent time of Japan. in My Japanese always friends a ask
show
them
to
This
trip took I me home my essays.
and own
summer,
a
many
Japanese reminded
the of thing.
Thus, brother
Wennan me same
my
younger
selected
of
publication for in print.
movable some Neither my do essays dare I
to
anything confidential,
do anything include I expose that is serious. 24 nor not
Since
of writings
Yao's compilations most
translations
Japanese
of
and he
were
or
sources
left
few of words his Dongcha
the effectively is zazhu important the
own,
reference
most
understanding for his life thought. and
Compared
with other Chinese Japanologists
Qing in the period,
Yao's
research
on
Japan following had the four characteristics:
First,
the quantity writings his of
unprecedented. of Most Qing the
was
researchers
only left
works
Japan, but finished
two Yao nine books. According one or
on
during
the to beginning
count, from 22
the my Meiji of
the
in
years the 1868
Yao's
to
era
departure
in 1889,
there
works Japan 31
by written
thirteen
Chinese
were authors. on
Wendong Yao topped
the list books; with nine ;• Wang qz (1828-97) Tao
Wang and
Zhichun
distant
with seconds four
books
each; Huang Zunxian, were
Ruzhang, He
and
Fu
•
• Yunlong •
three books
•j• each; •
Xiaoyuan Li []
wrote
books;
and
Jin
two
Anqing :• ,•,
•'•,
• Gong •, Chai Zhuang • •, Gongwei •
Wang Yongni • •, _z•
Jialin, Chen
Huang Chaozeng, and book each.
one
Second,
had
Yao
ambitious plan. research Exceedingly
few Chinese an
authors
had
of plan research
studying for
sort Japan. Huang
any Zunxian and Jialin Chen
each had
plan
they but
only
wanted write treatise
Japan. a to
Yao's plan research a much on was
Mingzhi 22
Zhong-Ri shidai wenhua lianxi, de
82.
p.
23 Dongcha zazhu. See footnote 4.
24 Ibid. 17
comprehensive. books introduce intended write larger 22 scale and in He to to
more
literature, politics, history, geography, economics and from Japan of different to aspects
affairs, remarked that had military has Sabur6 Yao and tourism. Sat6
even
perhaps Chinese first comprehensive the plan research Japanese studies. ''•5 in Yao
was
thoughtful plan and publishing series. His Japanese had the idea of studies who
was a
history Japanese and example, planning of realistic. write he
when For art
to
a was
categorization sequel. thinking literature, His already zhi, about the Riben yiwen he
was
systematic useful. literature Japanese of and into three types
was
compilations Third, translations. Riben majority either the of works his
or were
mainly of huiji translations bingyao, zhi, Liuqiu zhi lu
and dill Riben dill Riben
gao,
were
compilations writings of and Japanese Yao the of his his
rest prose.
sources; verse were
explains
why partly could be actually by himself This Yao did write much himself. not
so
and prolific Strictly speaking, creative finish nine six
and books in Yao
not
years. a
was
gifted compiler. organizer, editor, writer, but skillful and
a
basically products research of Fourth, the works Japan Yao's
strong
a were on
handicapped by comprising his lack of Japanese both Chinese scholars. and Yao team
was
heavily
depend of knowledge language the services of and had Japanese the to
on
provided scholars Among Japanese scholars. Japanese nine books which the Yao wrote,
publisher helped prefaces
three, in five, find translation for the for data and to wrote
a
writing five, Japan for and took the actual of six. in part
Military Strategist His Views and Yao
as a
changes. Wendong's Before Japan considerable attitudes toward underwent Yao
Sino-Japanese military cooperation resist the threat Japan, he he advocated to to
came
began arriving that he realize from the Russia. After Japan, in and Western to powers
by territorial ambitions in for Japan it had ideal China because
partner
was no means an
China. the North, in China resist Japan became in threat When Russia the to strove
a
taught by
compared "naughty needed be lesson Japan child" who East.
He to to a a
China:
Wendong, Japan, take I, used think that China with if the will
West to to
goes
war
advantage longer regarded going the of Japan, of it. After idea I I
to to
war
came no
irresponsibly naughty Japan Japan if with unreasonable. is like child who
acts
as a
punishment, rectify Now, itself.... Japan lenient. do will If
not not
we are we use
opportunity waiting My for North Russia the invade from the is country to us
Japan defenses situated crucial will focus North. is location. the in in I
our am a
someday. Japan might 26 that worried attack us
Kingdom Ryfikyfi warning Japan's invasion of the clear shot. How
to
was a
Ryfikyfis discourage Japan's reclaim from and ambitions Chinese the Japan how for to
territory Qing Experience important for the late Chinese. told that issues Yao
were
tangible only military peaceful negotiations strength lead and would results not to any
,ky•, 2• Kindai krsh6 shi
Nit-Ch• ken 10. p. no
Dongcha 26 zazhu. See footnote 4. 18
counted
the international in
Hence, agreed he
sending
that
Japan
arena. troops to
was
only China's option:
Now,
the situation is that
important
is
than Envoys power from
more
reason.
different
nations
have tried negotiate Japan
with in order
to reach peaceful
to
a
solution
but
in vain. Even their
if
broken,
Japan tongues
still deaf
tums are
a
ear
Regarding
Ryfikyfi
the
if Japan
islands,
of its want only
case, to
return two we
war
and negotiation
achieve this. not Recently, both the
ministers capital in the can and
public the
have paying been
attention this issue and sending advocate to
troops
many
Japan.
think I this is only the to
pride. national 27 protect to way our
How China
for military this campaign? to believed Yao was that prepare the
most
important
thing
understand Japan, particular in its geography to politics.
and Liuqiu was
dill
zhi
written demonstrate
Ryfikyfi that the Kingdom to
was
Japan of part
never was
a
historically
geographically.
bingyao Riben
dill
be
or used
of
meant
to
was
as source a
invading tactics
for
Japan reclaiming
and Ryfikyfi
the
Islands. letter In the of Bureau
to
a
Military the Beijing, in he underscored:
Japan
and
neighbors.
country Our officials and
scholars do our attention
are not
pay
Japan's
geography
and
affairs, its to
because
look down
current
it
we upon
as a
small
If
the breaks
country.
between the
countries, China out
will know
two war
not
what Wendong, do. I,
regardless to of ability, have
searched for books in
my poor
this [Japan],
and country
translated complied and them into book entitled
Riben
a
bingyao.
dili
aims It providing military tactics for the at future. 28
suggested Yao
tactics attacking for
Japan: The two
best tactic swallow
to
was
Japan
and make it
vassal of China. The option
best second state
demonstrate
a
to
was
military China's by strength
sending punitive
expedition Japan.
Then Japan would to
a
not
dare offend again. China held: He to
Now have
opportunity the
Japan send
and make troops to province it we of to
to
a
China and
vassal the in Together East.
Taiwan, with state Japan become will our
a
military
base for China.
This
is the best tactic. If should
threaten Japan not,
we
military with
give and then
waming. it
Then, Japan
will our powers dare not
a to
rebel
and
will
have This the is not to best second 29 tactic. we worry anymore.
insightful
Yao
enough
point that the decisive battles between to China out
was Japan and
would
be in the
Japan Because
island nation,
if China
wanted it, sea.
attack
an was
to
China had its
send fleet
Geographically, Japan.
to the to
Japan of
the west coast
most
was
direct and
convenient
but reminded target, Yao his that China should countrymen
not
Japan attack
from the because it
heavily be would guarded. west This coast the main
was
why
the
Yuan failed
twice
invade
troops Japan. The reason to
attack Japan correct
to
way
would from be different
directions.
Japan If
be would unable defend itself because it so, to
27 Ibid.
28 Ibid.
29 Ibid. 19
places easily.
This different coastlines, land long could and Chinese such has at troops
a
Japan. British, American, fleets why Russian
the and
the
won over reason was
by they the The large surrounded and
Japan four islands of
The not
sea.
are are
Pinghu During
the Battle land, military the in the but in crucial factor lies not
sea.
Japan thus could Mongols] only and period, attacked the [the of the Yuan west coast
period, Tokugawa the American
the and battle. the In its defenses
concentrate
won
Osaka
advanced into Shimoda, and warships Uchiga fleets Russian and the entered
Nagasaki. They Hakodate and later navies sailed Masada, and the British into
Japan failed defend Thus, and did show fixed and there here moved to pattern. not
a
Japan shocked. collapsed by nation of entire coastline itself. The its entire and
was
only
•j• I• lucky I_l_l Sany6 that [1780-1832] Yuan remarked: "We Rai troops
were
and different they directions from had If attacked from direction.
come
us one
damage would and its loose ends traffic, would have been blocked
troops at
our our
strategists judgment. All imagination." beyond This is such been have accurate
an
geographers 3° and should know this.
period,
Sino-Japanese traffic Qing pointed during the late that Yao
out sea
Nagasaki Nagasaki,
Shanghai from
from main first followed The to two routes. route
was
stressed that under finally Yokohama. Sea, Inland and from K6be He K6be via the to to
of the islands Japan because attack should China take this circumstances route to many no
islands, the in and hide themselves able dock Japanese would be the Inland in Sea. The to
of Shimonoseki the Straits waiting opportunity Moreover, ambush the invaders. for the to
hardly and entered, could it that the fleet natural
It
retreat
trap. once was so narrow was a
easily would be annihilated.
Ocean,
Pacific and via the Yokohama Hong Kong The second from to route
was
Japan because the Tokyo. attack ideal This then from Yokohama
route to to
was an
high
Once extremely invaders the
difficult the find it Japanese fleet would stop to
seas. on
Knowing Japan that victory certain. would be Yokohama, their Chinese landed in
troops
plans
strategic suggested Yokohama, heavily station in would Yao to troops some
Yokohama would attack the main force modified tactic that facilitate the attack. The
was
simultaneously launch their supplementary forces would Ocean, from Pacific and five the
supplementary
follows: forces Japan. of
These attack different parts
at
as
were
islands; outlying Iki, Tsushima, (1) and other from Korea to
conquer
Nagasaki (2) Saga; from to
conquer
Yokohama; sail and then down (3) Hakodate Manchuria and Sakhalin from to
to
conquer
land; Tokyo by Niigata and then (4) land and in march from China
to to
Nagasaki Kagoshima Kagoshima, and Fujian and from (5) and Taiwan from to to
conquer
Tokyo.
strategic points Japan: of six national the further detailed the Yao to
conquer
ways
Osaka
and K6be the fortresses of Japan, Tokyo fortresses in Yokohama
the East and
as as
and Shimonoseki the Nagasaki Japan, fortress of South central the Japan, most
as
as
conquered Chinese these six important believed the if that Japan. fortress of He troops
:• •t• ]• ]g• :• •J2 _• congchao/J• (Collection World Xiaofang of yudi Documents 30 huzhai
on
•, (Shanghai: Zhuyitang, 1877-97), 53, Geography), 8177. Xiqi vol. q: Wang ed. p. 20
places,
Japan all of would fall into their
hands. Each places these of
had
its natural
own
barriers.
the If Chinese them,
take the fall places these of six just
will be
of time.
matter
a
These
natural barriers Uraga Tokyo for
Yokohama, and Akashi, Kafuto,
Yfira, and are
Naruto
for
Kobe, 'saka and Yamakawa for Nagasaki,
and Tsushima and for Iki
Shimonoseki.
strategic These ideas
generally
insightful,
and grounded in his concrete were
expertise
geography in
his and extensive
research Japan. really China
If
31 had wanted
on
attack Japanese the homeland, to
this
book would
have been invaluable
reference. His
an
book
seriously taken
by the Chinese
became and only
was
Yao's government book
published by
the Zongli Regardless Yamen.
quality its of
usefulness, and however,
the
book has major shortcomings. three
First, Yao imbued
with
Chinese chauvinism. suggested invading He
Japan
was
so
that China
could
its campaign, Russian comparing concentrate Zhuge •=• it
Liang's on
to
•
•
famous
tactics: order "In
the
provinces, central should pacify to first the
conquer
we
Southern
barbarians."
still
He held China-centered ideology
regarded and to other
a
nations
barbarians.
preface the In the
bmgyao, Riben dill strongly he as to supported the
Qing's
military
actions
in Taiwan and its Northwest border
regretted and
at
that
to
see
China missed "three
golden
opportunities of last the years"
200 Southeast
to
conquer
Asia,
Russia, and India. added He that occupation the Japan of would the be fourth
opportunity
that China
miss.
These 32 ideas of imperialistic, must not
sorts
were
unrealistic, irresponsible. and
Second,
ideas
Yao's contradictory unjust. and
condemning While
Japan's were
action Ryfikyfi in the
Islands,
he
asked
China send Japan into Chinese
troops to
to turn
a
province. this Was
for Historically eye?
speaking, Ryfikyfi Kingdom
the
eye an an
was
territory,
Chinese
only tributary but
just
have would
It been never for a China state.
a
to
help
Ryfikyfi
the Kingdom
sovereignty, its
but Ryfikyfi the to
restore incident
not
to
use
as
invade Japan and swallow Kingdom. pretext Ryfikyfi the to a
Third,
by blinded Yao
nationalism fully did and understand
situation the in was not
China Japan. and overlooked He problems the in the Chinese
and overrated
government
military Chinese capabilities.
claimed
He that "our Northern Fleets resist Japan and
can
Russia, and
Southern
Fleets
resist Kingdom the United and Although
France. our ''3•
can
he witnessed
the Meiji of Japan, his
pride nationalist made difficult it progress for him
to
the international
order accept in which
Japan and China equals. biggest His
new
were
mistake that he
underestimated military the capacity Japan. of In was Li
contrast,
Shuchang
realistic: fleets,
"Our with
exception the •, Zhenyuan • of was more and
•
Dingyuan •_.,
better than
the Japanese fleets. afraid
I not
that
were
not
am are we
superior the
Japanese.
Sine-Japanese The ''a4 proved to War that Li's observation
even
optimistic,
mention Yao's. too to not was
31
However, points R. D. Howland
that the
data in Yao's
book out somewhat
outdated and
were
problematic.
of See Civilizat•on, Borders Chinese
175.
p.
Xiaofang 32 congchao, yudi huzhai 8177-78. pp.
Dongcha 33 See zazhu. footnote 4.
Shuchang, 34 See Li "Chushi Shuchang
dachen
Li
•
jinri michen
qingxing pian"/• Riben
72• []
• [•
"•
• • •
• •: • •, • k.• [] []
(Memorandum
the Secretly Situation Recent Japan, in on 21
Concluding Remarks
Japanology Sino- important Wendong and contributions Chinese made Yao to
interchange. translate Chinese cultural remembered the first Japanese should be He to
as
prolific
Chinese series, and Japanese books studies the Japanese promote most to
a
Japanologist early Sino-Japanese time, collaboration. research of his of and promoter
an
scholarship. First, major shortcomings However,
there his
in Yao several not
was an were
implications. scholar, military primary geography all-round and its He and his interest
was
tradition,
Japan's systematic important did have clear and view of such
matters not
as a
Meiji reforms, conservative Sino-Japanese chauvinistic and the and relations.
He was so
this held and the lessons hesitated admit of modernization that he in Japan the to
success
six-year
Japan. His for of Second, in China. make best his did the Yao stay
not
use
understanding Tokyo,
mainly Japan of less activities his confined and thus
to
was were
complete. mostly and Chinese literature than friends scholars of Japanese His were
intellectuals, intellectual and the conservative their ideas did and represent not
new
study Japanese Meiji the cultural did Japan. in make To Yao not currents matters
worse,
language help Japanese hardly of his Japanese and without the could read
sources
deprived shortcomings handicapped scholarship of him the assistants. of these his All and
reputation by Japanologists. of achieved first-rate Chinese sort
Qing Guangxu by Shuchang, Japan) Zhong- (1890), of Mission the chao Submitted Head Li in to
fiaoshe shiliao 100. Ri xuanji, p. 22