The Social Life of Musk in the History of Sino-Japanese

• Main Authors: Ye, Jhen, 葉臻
• Other Authors: Lee, Yu-Chung
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/ch26wz

碩士 === 國立清華大學 === 歷史研究所 === 105 === This study is focused on the phenomenon of natural exchange and historical process of musk. The reason of studying musk is not just because it is an excellent medicinal and spice, but also that since ancient times the market is always filled with defective musk, forcing people to understand musk, and the origin of "musk deer". Therefore, this article intends to discuss the interaction between musk deer and the ancients' life from the perspective of "social life of things". The purpose of this discussion is mainly to reconstruct the meaning of musk deer thought by the ancient people, and thus show how this animal can cause people to have interest in "natural history”. Especially for Japan, a non-musk origin, but has a high demand for it. The knowledge of musk differences, quality and identification, and how to get musk is a major issue in the history of Japan. Therefore, in the early days of Sino-Japanese exchanges, the vast majority of the musk deer and musk knowledge, still relies on the introduction of Chinese herbal science, and then transformed into a part of Japan's natural history. In the cognitive part of musk deer, compared with the records of Chinese natural history, Japan's natural history is obviously more emphasis on the quality of musk differences and authenticity identification. In this way, because of the differences, the natural history of musk deer’s transformed into a different natural understanding even when the source came from the Chinese natural history. Therefore, for example the social life history between musk deer and musk, can really reflect the history of Sino-Japanese exchange. Especially when the foreign knowledge of natural history, after introducing it to foreign countries. The question of how to translate or transform these knowledge in another country, and get accept by the public, is not only an important issue natural history, but also the main topic of cultural exchange.