Analysis of Chinese Northern Dynasties tomb epitaphs and reconstruction of cultural and social groups through an emotional history approach

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K13209
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 03030:History of Asia and Africa-related
• Research Institution: Meijo University
• Principal Investigator: Ochi Seiko (大知聖子) 名城大学, 理工学部, 准教授 (80650647)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: テキストマイニング / 北魏 / 墓誌

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study uses newly excavated grave epitaphs from the Northern Dynasties period (4th to 6th centuries) in China, and aims to analyze the terminology used in the epitaphs to reconstruct the existence of social groups based on the terminology expressing emotions. As an analytical method, we utilized the results of digital history research, constructed a database of the epitaphs, and performed text mining analysis. We have published an inventory of the newly collected Northern Wei epitaphs. In this study, we focused particularly on the terminology used in the epitaph inscriptions, which are literary rhetorical parts in verse form. As a result, we were able to reconstruct the groups that use characteristic words, and also shed light on the gender role expressions of men and women.

Free Research Field

中国史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年、墓誌を利用した研究が進んでいるが、主に官歴や出身の部分に重点が置かれ、文献資料の内容補足や部分的修正にとどまっているという問題点がある。本研究はその限界を乗り越え、政治的集団とは異なった、文化を共有する社会集団を明らかにしようとするものである。
またジェンダーロール表現に着目することで、「なぜ東アジアにおいて女性が男性よりも不利になるジェンダー秩序が維持されてきたのか」という問いの下、歴史上社会規範に大きな変化が生じた北魏においてもなお男性の優位が維持され続けるシステムを解明に繋がる。