The Record of Kenkenroku

A secret record of diplomacy during the Sino-Japanese War written by Mutsu Munemitsu. As Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mutsu was at the forefront of diplomacy during the Sino-Japanese War. After the war, he first wrote "Outline of the Triple Intervention by Russia, Germany, and France." While bedridden and recuperating in Oiso, Kanagawa Prefecture, he drafted a 21-chapter summary of diplomatic strategies for the entire course of the Sino-Japanese War, from the "Donghak Rebellion" to the "Intervention by the Three Powers of Russia, Germany, and France." It was printed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1896 (Meiji 29). It remained a secret copy until it was published in 1929 (Showa 4). "Jian Jian" is a character taken from the "Jian Gua" (chestnut) in the "Book of Changes," and means to remain loyal to the emperor without succumbing to difficulties. The "Mutsu Munemitsu Documents" in the National Diet Library Constitutional Documents Room contain a draft in ink and the original written on a scepter.

[Akira Nakatsuka]

"Kenkenroku" by Mutsu Munemitsu (Iwanami Bunko)

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

陸奥宗光(むつむねみつ)著の日清(にっしん)戦争外交秘録。外務大臣として日清戦争外交の衝にあたった陸奥は、戦後、まず『露独仏三国干渉要概』を執筆、さらに病臥(びょうが)、神奈川県大磯(おおいそ)に静養中、「東学党の乱」から「露、独、仏三国の干渉」まで21章に及ぶ日清戦争全過程の外交政略概要を起草、1896年（明治29）外務省で印刷。1929年（昭和4）公刊されるまで秘本とした。「蹇蹇」とは『易経(えききょう)』蹇卦(けんか)からとられた文字で、困難に屈せず君に忠貞であることをいう。国会図書館憲政資料室「陸奥宗光関係文書」には、墨書草稿、鼇頭(ごうとう)書込原本などがある。

［中塚　明］

『陸奥宗光著『蹇蹇録』（岩波文庫）』

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