歴史から読み解く中国人の価値観【世界史】

Summary

In this video, the speaker delves into the concept of 'Zhonghua' (Central China) and the deep-rooted cultural ideology behind Chinese history and diplomacy. He explains how the term 'Zhong' in China, representing the 'center of the world,' is tied to the ancient idea of 'Zhonghua Thought,' where the central government is seen as the highest authority. The video explores the significance of Chinese worldview, the legacy of Confucianism, and how these ideas influence modern Chinese diplomacy, providing a historical context for understanding the aggressive stance often observed in Chinese foreign policy today.

Takeaways

• 😀 China views itself as the 'Middle Kingdom,' positioning itself as the center of the world in cultural, political, and historical terms.
• 😀 The term 'Zhonghua' (中華) reflects China's belief in its cultural supremacy, where the closer one gets to the 'center,' the more refined the culture becomes.
• 😀 Unlike Japan, where the concept of the 'center' is more physical and less cultural, China’s 'center' has a profound, almost divine significance.
• 😀 The term 'China' as a global term ('China' vs. 'Shina') has cultural and historical sensitivities, rooted in China's view of itself as the world's center.
• 😀 The Chinese concept of 'Tianzi' (天子) places the emperor as the central, divine ruler, governing with moral virtue and serving as the intermediary between heaven and earth.
• 😀 The Chinese world order has no notion of a 'nation-state' with fixed borders. Instead, China's worldview sees its civilization as the central force in the world.
• 😀 The legacy of Confucianism and the teachings of figures like Confucius played a critical role in maintaining China’s self-perception of superiority and governance based on virtue.
• 😀 The shift in Chinese governance, from military-based rule to virtuous rule under Emperor Wudi, signifies the importance of moral leadership and governance in Chinese history.
• 😀 Chinese emperors and leaders have historically viewed themselves as 'Tianzi,' with an almost sacred responsibility to govern through virtue and uphold China's central status in the world.
• 😀 Modern Chinese diplomacy is shaped by this historical worldview, where China’s assertiveness and sense of superiority can be understood in the context of its cultural and political legacy.

Q & A

What does the term '中華思想' (Sinocentrism) mean in Chinese culture?

Sinocentrism refers to the belief that China is the center of the world, and that its culture and civilization are superior. It stems from the idea that the central region (中原, Zhongyuan) is the heart of the world, with all other regions being peripheral.

Why do Chinese people consider the concept of '中' (central) to be more significant than just the physical center?

In Chinese culture, the character '中' symbolizes not just the physical center but also the cultural and moral superiority of China. It represents the idea that the closer one gets to the center, the more sophisticated and superior the culture becomes.

How does Sinocentrism differ from Japan's sense of hierarchy or '上' (up) and '下' (down)?

While Japan also has hierarchical concepts like 'up' and 'down', the Chinese concept of '中' (central) is much more expansive. It embodies the idea of China being the focal point of civilization, whereas in Japan, 'up' and 'down' are more associated with physical directionality and social rank, not cultural supremacy.

What was the historical reason for the term 'シナ' (Shina) becoming a pejorative?

The term 'シナ' (Shina) used to refer to China, but it became a pejorative due to its associations with Western colonialism and the negative connotations tied to how the term was used in foreign languages. The term 'China' in English, derived from '中華' (Zhonghua), became the accepted term globally.

What is the significance of the '天子' (Son of Heaven) in the context of Chinese history?

The '天子' (Son of Heaven) was the ruler in ancient China, believed to be the intermediary between Heaven and Earth. The title symbolized absolute authority, as it was thought that the ruler governed by the will of Heaven. This notion of divine right reinforced the concept of China as the center of the world.

Why did the concept of a '中華帝国' (Chinese Empire) not resonate with traditional Chinese views of governance?

The concept of a 'Chinese Empire' didn't resonate because, in Chinese thought, the world is not divided into separate states with fixed borders. Instead, China’s civilization was seen as a unified, central force, and the idea of an empire with defined borders was foreign to the Chinese worldview.

How did the teachings of Confucianism (儒教) influence China's political structure?

Confucianism played a significant role in shaping China's political structure by emphasizing moral governance, with rulers being expected to act with virtue (徳). It provided the foundation for a centralized, bureaucratic system where the moral authority of the ruler was paramount.

What was the key difference between the governance of the Qin Dynasty and the subsequent Han Dynasty?

The Qin Dynasty, under Emperor Qin Shi Huang, prioritized legalist rule through strict laws and harsh punishment, while the Han Dynasty moved towards Confucian principles, emphasizing moral governance and the importance of virtue. The Han Dynasty’s approach made Confucianism a central component of Chinese governance.

How did the title of '皇帝' (Emperor) evolve in China, and what was its significance?

The title '皇帝' (Emperor) evolved from '王' (king) as the role of the ruler became more central and absolute. It represented the idea of a sovereign ruler who held divine authority, with the emperor seen as the 'Son of Heaven' governing the central civilization of the world.

How does modern Chinese diplomacy reflect the historical notions of Sinocentrism and hierarchical relations?

Modern Chinese diplomacy still reflects Sinocentrism, as China views itself as the center of international relations. This is evident in how China expects other nations to acknowledge its cultural and political supremacy, often displaying assertiveness in diplomatic matters to reinforce its central position in the world order.