Sino-Japanese Trade and Nagasaki Society Observed by a Tōtsūji in 18th Century:

Abstract: Overseas Chinese Classics are important historical sources for advancing the study of East Asian maritime history. The QiongpuXiantan (《琼浦闲谈》, the Anecdote of Nagasaki) collected by Tohoku University Library is a rare manuscript that has not yet drawn the attention of academia. The book, written by a Tōtsūji (通事, the Chinese translator in Nagasaki trade), vividly depicts the Sino-Japanese trade and the social life of Nagasaki in 18th century. At first, this paper explores the compilation process of QiongpuXiantan. Then, by comparing the book with another Nagasaki Tsujisho (mandarin textbooks compiled and used by Tōtsūji), QiongpuJiahua (the Story of Nagasaki), this paper aims to outline several social aspects of the trade, Chinese activities, customs and culture in Nagasaki. In particular, this article delineates the spread of Chinese culture and its influences by analyzing the origin of the “Jiushi” belief (“九使” , the ninth messenger, one of the local gods in Fuzhou Prefecture) and the Suwa Shrine in Nagasaki during the traditional time. The thesis points out that the narrations in QiongpuXiantan have unique historical value, and we should pay full attention to the local background of people from Fuzhou who played active roles in Nagasaki. Specifically, different beliefs, namely the belief borrowed from Japanese gods and various Chinese religions transplanted in Nagasaki during the Edo period, blended. In addition to the well-known Confucianism, Mazu belief, and Buddhist culture (the school of Huangbo), the influence of “Jiushi” (one of the Taoist deities) in Nagasaki also deserves special attention. From the Boa God in the remote cave originated from Fuqing County to the God Lin narrated in East Asian history as the one who sacrificed his life for justice, from the local custom of “Jiushidan” (“九使诞” , the birthday of the ninth messenger) and the belief of evil gods worshipped by brothels in Fuzhou City to the grand sacred events centered on the Suwa Shrine, such transitions of “Jiushi” belief highlight the complexity and rich connotation of cross-cultural communication in East Asia.