Verification of Chinese “Historical” Narratives on Ryukyu/Okinawa. Japanese Views on China’s Narratives

• Autorzy: Takashi Hosoda
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Notwithstanding the results of the historic Sino-Japanese joint research that began in 2006, Japanese and Chinese interpretations of historical “facts” and reconstructions (manifestations) of those facts in the modern and contemporary periods differ greatly. As E. H. Carr points out, “[History] is a continuous process of interaction between the historian and his facts, an unending dialogue between the present and the past”.2 Differences between historians can be attributed to each historian’s values, the society in which he or she lives, and the values and norms of the era. However, a growing number of historical research papers and writings in the guise of empirical research are lending legitimacy to political objectives and messages given priority by the Chinese in “historical research” papers. This raises questions about the content of their historical narratives and doubts about Chinese researchers’ attitude to employing the historical positivism approach. This paper takes as an example the history of Ryukyu/Okinawa, currently an area where geopolitical tensions are growing due to differences in historical perception between Japan and China. By contrasting and examining these differences, this paper focuses on Chinese academics’ tendency to construct selective historical narratives primally along ideological lines. For this, it is necessary to apply critical source analysis of references cited in the narratives and bring facts that have been shielded or suppressed to light. To evaluate the influence of Chinese narratives in Okinawa and respect the self-determination principle of the residents, I also apply the outcomes of the public survey in Okinawa in a multi-disciplinal manner. The goal of this analysis is not to make a dualistic good/bad judgment or to pursue individual responsibility but to understand these differences in perception and the political intent behind them. At present, no country officially objects to Okinawa belonging to Japan.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

Critical Apparatus; Concealing Materials; Ryukyu Disposition; Tributary System; Three Warfares; Historical Nihilism

• Wydawca: University of West Bohemia, Pilsen, Czech Republic
• Czasopismo: West Bohemian Historical Review
• Rocznik: 2023
• Tom: 13
• Numer: 2
• Strony: 121-154

Twórcy

autor

Takashi Hosoda

• Department of Politics and International Relations, Faculty of Arts, University of West Bohemia,