著者

朴 容寛 Yonggwan PARK

雑誌

北東アジア研究 (ISSN:13463810)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.2, pp.161-176, 2001-10-01

著者

朴 容寛

出版者

島根県立大学

雑誌

総合政策論叢 (ISSN:13463829)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.3, pp.27-45, 2002-03-25

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There are differences of culture between Japan and Korea, in spite of many similarities as neighboring nations sharing a sea in common. The purpose of this paper is to clarify cultural differences of the two countries through a comparative analysis of their national stories, namely, Chushingura in Japan and Shunkoden in Korea, and consequently to contribute to the mutual understanding and friendlier relationship between the two countries. The author found the scene of Chushingura was the Edo Period and that of Shunkoden the Chosen Dynasty. It can be said that the culture of kashikomaru was formed in the Edo Period which was characterized with militaristic ascendancy but the culture of kashikogaru was formed in the Chosen Dynasty which was characterized as the age of sonbi, a literary person. Followings are several aspects of the cultures of Japan and Korea seen from the perspective of kashikomaru and kashikogaru. First, passive voice expressions are popular in Japan, but active voice expressions are popular in Korea. Second, "ganbare" is popular in Japan, but "kuenchana" is in Korea. "Ganbaru" is used to describe an effort to do one's best to accomplish a task given by awe-inspiring gods, great authoritative figures, or lords. "Kuenchana" is used to encourage and cheer up a boastful Korean when he loses his self-confidence or suffers a defeat. Third, Japanese developed the culture of reservation and Koreans the culture of self-praise, because Japanese warriors, who carry swords with themselves, are in peril of losing their life if they should hurt others' feelings, but Koreans, who are encouraged to be literate, are not even if they speak ill of others and quarrel with others. Fourth, loyalty to his master is important in the samurai society where one's life was at a stake for a warrior without special abilities, but cause is valued in Korea. Fifth, the power of the sword is practiced in Japan and the power of the pen in Korea, which are suggested by the subjects of the stories, namely, samurai in Chushingura and sonbi in Shunkoden. Sixth, the beauty of death is emphasized in Japan, but that of life in Korea. The author believe that mutual understanding by respecting cultural differences is more important to establish friendlier relationship between Japan and Korea than to point out similarities of them. It is necessary to see both countries from plural perspectives in order for people to gain better knowledge about others.