著者

王 蘭

出版者

日本比較文学会

雑誌

比較文学 (ISSN:04408039)

巻号頁・発行日

vol.51, pp.79-92, 2009

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<p> What is the significance of demons and ghosts in the modern age? This paper will examine the interest Zhou Zuoren and Yanagita Kunio had in the use of supernatural beings in literature and folklore. It will discuss the views these thinkers held and the quite different conclusions they came to.</p><p> Zhou Zuoren (1885-1962) believed demons and ghosts were products of human fear and felt that studying them would lead to a deeper understanding of the Chinese people and their culture. His conclusion, however, was that people's fear was ultimately unhealthy. A prolific translator of Greek literature, Zhou Zouren advocated the introduction of Greek mythology with its more human, less fearful, and more beautiful gods.</p><p> Yanagita Kunio (1875-1962) was a Japanese contemporary of Zhou Zuoren. Often called the "father of Japanese native ethnology," Kunio believed that through studying the strange, mysterious and fantastic elements of folklore one could better understand the mindset and character of the common people. Unlike Zhou Zuoren, however, he did not try to reform Japanese culture by introducing foreign elements. His desire was quite the opposite ――to uncover the ancient beliefs of the Japanese people.</p><p> This paper discusses these two intellectuals, their views on demons and ghosts, and discusses the reasons behind their opposing conclusions.</p>