Between ‘National Histories’ and ‘East Asian History’——An Analysis Based on Three East Asian Historical Events Between the 13th and 16th Centuries
Author(s): Ge Zhaoguang
Pages: 2-8
Year: 2016 Issue: 4
Journal: Chinese Culture Research
Keyword: Mongol Invasions of Japan; Oei Invasion; Japanese Invasions of Korea; national histories; East Asian history;
Abstract: The author selects three East Asian historical events from the 13th century to the16th century-the Mongol Invasions of Japan（ 1274,1281）,the Oei Invasion（ 1419）,and the Japanese Invasions of Korea（ 1592,1597）-to discuss the discrepancies between national histories and East Asian history. He asserts that there will be ‘dead corners’ or ‘blind spots’ where East Asian history is observed merely from the perspective of one national history. This is because history narrated from only one center of a circle,that is,one national history,will include a center and the periphery. Despite the clarity of the center,the periphery is usually vague,and oftentimes even discarded. In fact,the history of the periphery is not necessarily unimportant. Whereas history narrated from several centers of circles generates more than one historical circles,overlaps of subjects will be found in these very narratives. Such overlapping narratives are academically significant because they enable us to observe history a second time.National histories probably neglect the periphery,but East Asian history can and will present to spotlight the overlapping periphery of the circles of several national histories.
Pages: 2-8
Year: 2016 Issue: 4
Journal: Chinese Culture Research
Keyword: Mongol Invasions of Japan; Oei Invasion; Japanese Invasions of Korea; national histories; East Asian history;
Abstract: The author selects three East Asian historical events from the 13th century to the16th century-the Mongol Invasions of Japan（ 1274,1281）,the Oei Invasion（ 1419）,and the Japanese Invasions of Korea（ 1592,1597）-to discuss the discrepancies between national histories and East Asian history. He asserts that there will be ‘dead corners’ or ‘blind spots’ where East Asian history is observed merely from the perspective of one national history. This is because history narrated from only one center of a circle,that is,one national history,will include a center and the periphery. Despite the clarity of the center,the periphery is usually vague,and oftentimes even discarded. In fact,the history of the periphery is not necessarily unimportant. Whereas history narrated from several centers of circles generates more than one historical circles,overlaps of subjects will be found in these very narratives. Such overlapping narratives are academically significant because they enable us to observe history a second time.National histories probably neglect the periphery,but East Asian history can and will present to spotlight the overlapping periphery of the circles of several national histories.
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