Sui-T’ang Studies in Japan in 1987

T'ang Studies 7 (1989) Sui-T'ang Studies in Japan in 1987* ITIJHIROAKI ~. ~ fiji translated by John Lee ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY Iwent over some seventy of the studies on Sui-T'ang history published last year. As in the previous year, meticulously empirical studies utilizing such source materials as the Tun-huang and Turfan documents and rubbings were notable in every area. Many volumes ofFestschriften were also published in such diverse areas as history, thought, and archaeology. We shall first discuss political history. Suzuki Yoshio it =*ft 1ii, "The Able Official of the Sui" (Zui no nori mU) W j!), Kokugakuin KOtoGakko kiyo ~ ~ ~ Jlj ~ ~ ~ fR.¥ 20, is a study of Sui officialdom. Taking up the case of Niu Hung .tf- 5b., the author discusses the role of career bureaucrats in the transition from an aristocratic to a centralized bureaucratic polity. He argues that the influence of these officials, or neng-Zi,diminished as Emperor Yang f!if{j began showing despotic tendencies. He leaves it unclear , however, in which areas the power of the emperor came into conflict with the interests of these officials, who are generally considered to have been an ally of the emperor in his pursuit of despotic power. Tanigawa Michio ~ JlIiti:hi, "A Study of the Political Style of the Chen-kuan Era" (Jokan seifU no ichi kenkyITf.{ lliftlMti"'->if Jt ), in Essays on the Problems of Chinese Social, Institutional, and Cultural History Dedicated to Hino Kaizaburo (HinD Kaizaburo Hakase soju kinen ronshu: Chugoku shakai seido bunkashi no shomondai B !f IUl=:~~if ± i:f{.£G2 ~ ~: ~ ~ i± ~ iIJ1J J.t Jt it ~U) ~ Fl>' H! offers a new analytical point of view to SuiT 'angpolitics. The essay analyzes the structure oftheT'angruling groups and their political style under Enlperor T'ai-tsung :t * *Originally published in Shigaku zasshi ~ ~. ~ 97.5 (1988), 799-807. Ito Hiroaki is a member of the History Department at Nagoya University. 197 Lee: SZ Summary chiefly on the basis of the political discourses in the Chen-kuan cheng-yao. The author argues that the daily routine of cheng shen .IE ~, or "rectifying of the self," practiced by both the enlperor and his ministers lest they repeat the mistakes of the Sui, as well as the bond that was forged between the emperor and his ministers as a result of open remonstrations by the latter, provided the source for a good government. The ministers were not, however, totally dependent upon the emperor, as they continued to maintain their independent identity as members of the ruling estate. Tanigawa explains this as a characteristic of the "New Aristocracy ." Under this arrangement, he argues, political responsibility was borne equally by the enlperor and his ministers. What counted most, however, were remorse for one's mistakes and a sense of responsibility, and both the emperor and his ministers were expected to practice the spirit of self-sacrifice. Furthermore, the strength of the bond between the emperor and his trusted ministers prevented the possibility of factionalism. These political structures and styles do not necessarily reflect the peculiarities of the Sui-T'ang, since they are found rather generally throughout Chinese history. I think one also needs to clarify how the ruling groups behaved in the actual world of politics. 1m Dae-hui ff 7\.1m, "The Regime of the Empress Wu and Shan-nan and Chien-nan" (Buko seiken to Sannan, Kennen JEt Jfi i;tm c illm · ~Jm), Shinkan gakuho Kfi fJi- ~ l« 22, deals with the relationship between the central government and the provinces. By analyzing Empress Wu's policy of inviting renowned Buddhist monks to court, the author tries to define the relationship bewteen the leaders of Wu Tse-t'ien's regime and supporters who had ties to the provinces in question, such as rich merchants and Buddhist monks. This study is a worthy contribution in its effort to clarify the ties between the central government and provincial powerholders. Nonetheless, the nature of the ties that are claimed to have existed between these people and the provinces in question is not made completely clear. 198 T'ang Studies 7 (1989) Otagi Hajime ~ ~ ]G, "A Study of the Lu Family of Fan-yang...