The Interpreter System in the Early Modern East Asian Region

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22K20049
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0103:History, archaeology, museology, and related fields
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Zhang Zikang 京都大学, スーパーグローバルコース人文社会科学系ユニット, 特定助教 (70966283)
• Project Period (FY): 2022-08-31 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 通事 / 近世東アジア / 清朝 / 仲介者 / 国際関係

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The research yielded two significant outcomes:
First, the institutional reality and specific roles of “tong-shi/interpreters” in Qing-Ryukyuan relations were clarified, and the findings were summarized in a doctoral dissertation, with portions published as journal articles. Second, the system of “Canton Linguists” in Qing-Western relations was re-examined, attempting to situate these interpreters, previously regarded as exceptional, within the broader Qing interpreter system. The initial results of this study were presented at a research conference.
Additionally, although no concrete results have been achieved yet, steady progress has been made in the close reading of historical documents related to the Qing-Korean relations, also focusing on the interpreters.

Free Research Field

東洋史

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は従来研究が手薄であった清朝の通事制度について、総体的・実証的な解明を目指した。これにより、清朝と各国間の関係がいかに維持・運営されたか、及びそこにおける仲介者（通事）の役割が具体的に明らかになった。また、本研究の成果は、「通事」をはじめとする仲介者の存在と活躍を通して、前近代・近世東アジア地域の国家間関係の特質を理解する切り口を提供するものである。さらに、 グローバルヒストリーの隆盛を受けて「仲介者」の役割がかつてなく注目を集めている中、本研究は仲介者をめぐるグローバルな歴史研究の潮流にも大きく資するものである。